Deicers Key Terms

Understand the ABCs of deicers terminology

By Howard Robertson

Deicers or anti-icers are useful in breaking up snow or ice so that you can remove it easily. These chemicals are used for clearing runways and aircrafts. Sprinkling deicers over snow or frost melts down the ice and snow and loosens it by lowering the freezing temperature of water.

If you want to use deicers you will come across various technical terms relating to deicers and their applications. This guide will familiarize you with deicers related terms, such as anti-icing, deicing boots, aircraft icing and aircraft deicing pads.

Anti-icing

Anti-icing is a proactive application of industrial snow-melting solutions or deicers before a snowstorm. Using anti-icing methods prevents the snow from bonding to the surface and helps in removing the snow easily. Anti-icing is a cost-effective method as compared to the usage of deicers later.
Try: For the definition of this term, read through the glossary of technical terms at Cargill, Incorporated, a manufacturer of anti-icing and anti-skid overlays.

Deicing boots (or boots)

Aircrafts have deicing boots on the wing and propeller surfaces to prevent formation of ice. This boot contains a thick rubber membrane that is inflated by means of a compressed air system to crack the accumulated ice. This broken ice is then removed by the airflow.
Try: GT Propellers, a manufacturer of propellers, offers a technical glossary that provides a definition for this term. To understand the importance and working of deicing boots, read through the description at Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (PDF).

PG (Propylene glycol)

Propylene glycol is a synthetic chemical that is commonly used as an aircraft deicing fluid. PG reduces the temperature at which water begins to freeze, preventing the formation of ice.
Try: Read through information about propylene glycol at LyondellBasell Industries (PDF), a producer of gasoline blending components.

Aircraft icing

Aircraft icing is one of the major problems for aircrafts that face ice storms or often fly through freezing temperatures. When the air reaches freezing temperatures, the temperature of the external metallic surface of an aircraft is lowered. This might result in ice accumulation on these surfaces, which increases the drag and reduces the thrust. Deicing an aircraft is very important, as icing is very dangerous for aircraft.
Try: To understand this concept and the techniques to avoid aircraft icing, read through the description at Aerospaceweb.org, an information resource for aerospace engineering professionals.

Aircraft deicing pads

An aircraft deicing pad is a designated area where deicing or anti-icing of aircrafts can be done.
Try: To learn more about aircraft deicing pads, read through the glossary at Aircraft Icing, an informative website by NASA.

Sodium chloride

Sodium chloride (or salt) is the cheapest and the most common deicing agent. Salt can quickly melt ice from pavements and walkways. However, below a certain temperature, sodium chloride is ineffective. It is seldom useful in aircraft deicing applications.
Try: Crescent Plowing Services, a provider of deicing services, offers information about various deicing agents and their applications.

Pond deicers

Ponds easily freeze during the winter months. If there are fish in the pond, you will need to provide a breathing hole in the pond using deicers. Deicers also allow toxic gases to escape and supply fresh oxygen within the pond.
Try: You can get information about pond deicers at Aquatics Unlimited, a supplier of aquariums and pond plants.