DOWFLAKE® Xtra 83-87% Calcium Chloride Flakes

First, determine the amount of dry calcium chloride to mix with water using our helpful Making Solutions Calculator tool.

Always start with cool water and add the solid calcium chloride slowly to the water while continuously mixing. Significant heat is released when dissolving solid calcium chloride, and a temperature increase will occur. For example, when dissolving DOWFLAKE®  Xtra 83-87% Calcium Chloride Flakes while making up a 30% solution, the temperature can be expected to increase almost 84°F.

If solids are allowed to sit motionless while in contact with water, a hard cake will form that will be slow to dissolve.

The pH reading for an undiluted sample of 35% solution is approximately 9. OxyChem calcium chloride products are alkaline due to the presence of a slight calcium hydroxide impurity.

Accurate and consistent pH measurement in concentrated salt solutions can be challenging. Results vary depending on the pH probe used and the degree of sample dilution.

No, OxyChem does not have a calcium chloride dihydrate product. DOWFLAKE® Xtra is the closest to a dihydrate concentration.

Calcium chloride dihydrate has two water molecules for every one calcium chloride molecule, giving an overall calcium chloride concentration of 75.5%. OxyChem’s DOWFLAKE® Xtra product contains a minimum of 83% calcium chloride, making it more concentrated than the calcium chloride dihydrate flake on the market. 

Pure calcium chloride is 36.1% calcium. To determine the amount of calcium in a calcium chloride product, simply multiply the calcium chloride concentration by 36.1%. The typical calcium concentration of certain products is included in the table below:

If lightly caked, the product may be broken up by knocking the closed package against a hard surface, like breaking up a bag of ice. If the caked product is too hard to break apart, the product is, unfortunately, unusable and should be disposed of according to guidance on the product label. DO NOT TRY FORCEFUL HAMMERING TO BREAK THE PRODUCT APART. FLYING PRODUCT PIECES MAY BE AN EYE HAZARD.

Store product in a dry area, and tightly reseal after each use. To maintain product quality while in storage, solid calcium chloride must be protected from moisture. If the product is on a pallet covered by an intact plastic shroud, it can be stored outdoors on a well-drained surface. If the shroud is torn, pierced, or removed, the palletized product should be stored indoors or under a waterproof covering.

For additional information, see our Calcium Chloride Handbook.

When properly stored to protect from moisture contact, the expected shelf life for solid calcium chloride products is 36 months from the date of manufacture. Calcium chloride does not degrade or deteriorate; however, the shelf life is limited based on the potential for moisture intrusion into the product, which may cause product clumping. Solid calcium chloride absorbs moisture from the air (i.e., is hygroscopic), even to the point of converting to liquid brine (i.e., is deliquescent).

OxyChem issues Certificates of Analysis only for the following specialty products:

Food Grade Anhydrous 94-97% Calcium Chloride Pellets
BRINERS CHOICE® Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Pellets
PELADOW® DG Calcium Chloride Briquettes
LIQUIDOW® Food Grade Calcium Chloride Solution

Yes. DOWFLAKE® Xtra 83-87% Calcium Chloride Flake is approved by the EPA as an inert ingredient for pesticide formulations (Reference: 40CFR 180). 
Approved uses include:

• Stabilizer in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.
• Stabilizer in pesticide formulations applied to animals.
• Non-food use pesticide product formulations.
• Antimicrobial pesticide formulations applied to dairy processing equipment and food processing equipment and utensils.
• Pesticide formulations for food processing equipment and utensils when the end-use concentration of the trade name product does not exceed 19.5 ppm.

To determine how much ice melter to use, refer to our Deicing Application Rate Guidance Calculator. 

Melt Responsibly® - For the best results, follow these steps:

1. Clear the snow.
2. Set your spreading equipment to spread the calcium chloride at our recommended application rate of 28 pounds per 1,000 square feet, or 4 ounces per square yard. Refer to our Spreader Calibration Guide for setting instructions on some common spreaders.
3. Spread calcium chloride.
4. After giving the calcium chloride time to work, clear off any remaining slush.
5. Recycle the empty packaging in accordance with your local recycling guidelines.

Refer to Earth911 to find out where you can recycle.

Please note our recommended application rate is a starting point. Adjust application rate based on ice thickness and outdoor temperature. Removal of thick ice may require higher application rates to penetrate and undercut the ice layer. 

OxyChem does not recommend using deicing products on wood surfaces. Deicers could potentially soak into untreated and some treated wood surfaces, resulting in damp spots that may be difficult to remove. The variety of wood treatments used on exterior wood surfaces makes it difficult to predict the effect of deicers on those surfaces.

OxyChem calcium chloride products deliver reliable, effective deicing performance on concrete surfaces that are at least one year old and properly designed, constructed, and cured for winter conditions. When concrete meets these standards, it is better equipped to handle deicing applications. Surfaces that are more porous or not fully cured may be more vulnerable to natural freeze–thaw cycles, where absorbed moisture can refreeze and potentially lead to spalling or scaling.

For expert guidance, we recommend consulting the American Concrete Institute Committee 201.

OxyChem calcium chloride deicers are not recommended for application on masonry (stone, brick, and mortar joints). 

Melt water from deicing may soak into pores and cracks. The absorbed melt water may re-freeze, creating a large amount of pressure beneath the surface of the stone. If the structure of the stone is not strong enough to withstand this pressure, the stone could flake or powder. This type of damage depends on the porosity and strength of the stone, not on the type of deicer used to melt snow and ice. Because there are many different kinds and grades of stone, OxyChem cannot predict where damage may or may not occur. 

No chloride-based deicer is completely pet-safe, but there are a few tips you can follow to help keep your furry friends healthy around deicers.

DO:

• Apply deicing products properly. Follow directions for application and only apply as much as needed.
• Wipe your pet’s paws after coming inside.
• Consider the use of paw wax or dog booties, particularly for those pets with sensitive paws.
• Store deicing products out of the reach of pets. 

DON'T:

• Let your pet eat deicer on the ground.
• Let your pet eat snow that may have been treated with a deicer.

For further information, please see the OxyChem document, Use of Chloride Deicers Around Pets.

When following application recommendations, calcium chloride will not damage grass or vegetation adjacent to a surface being deiced. If deicers are overapplied or applied directly to grass or vegetation, damage can occur regardless of deicer type used. 

For additional information, see Deicers Environmental Impact.

Always follow the directions for proper deicer use. Do not over-apply deicer, especially near entryways. Foot traffic through slush, melt water, and residual deicer can track the material indoors. 

Use effective entrance mats that absorb and trap snowmelt, slush, or residual deicer. If residual deicer is tracked onto hard floors, it should be cleaned up with warm, fresh water as soon as possible. For example, soak a mop or towel in fresh water, wipe the surface and dry thoroughly. If a bucket is used for rinsing the mop or towel, the water in the bucket should be changed out frequently for best results.

For additional information, see Deicer Tracking and Indoor Care.

If deicers are tracked onto your carpet, quickly clean it. Most deicers are completely water soluble and are easily removed with a carpet cleaning machine using only hot water. After cleaning, it is important to remove as much of the water as possible, and the carpet must be allowed to dry.

Use of detergent is generally not recommended unless the detergent is pH neutral or citric-based (slightly acidic) and the carpet is thoroughly rinsed after washing.

For additional information, see Deicer Tracking and Indoor Care.

Yes. According the websites of three common brands (Trex®, TimberTech®, and DuraLife®), calcium chloride can be used as an ice melter on this type of decking material.

For additional information on responsible use, see managing impact.

The amount of calcium chloride used should not exceed 2% and application rates should vary with temperature.

Preferably, add calcium chloride solution to aggregates in the mixer drum or as a portion of the mixing water. Add calcium chloride at the ready-mix plant if the concrete will be discharged within one hour of the start of mixing. Otherwise, add it at the job site, mixing for at least three minutes or 30 revolutions of the mixer, whichever is longer.

If dry calcium chloride is used, it should be free of lumps and added to aggregates in the mixer drum before mixing, or to the mixed concrete just before discharge.

Please refer to the publication Calcium Chloride in Portland Cement Concrete for more complete information about the use of calcium chloride as an accelerating admixture.

Consult the most recent reports from the following American Concrete Institute (ACI) committees for information about the amounts of calcium chloride that are allowed in concrete under various exposure conditions, and conditions in which calcium chloride should not be used. Relevant reports include:

ACI 201 Durability of Concrete
ACI 212 Admixtures for Concrete
ACI 222 Corrosion of Metals in Concrete
ACI 306 Cold Weather Concreting
ACI 318 Standard Building Code for Reinforced Concrete

Yes. To increase the calcium hardness by 10 ppm in 10,000 gallons of water, add one pound of DOWFLAKE® Xtra 83-87% Calcium Chloride Flakes.  Solid calcium chloride currently manufactured by OxyChem contains bromide. While the presence of bromide in pool and spa water is not uncommon (it is often present in disinfectants), it can react with other chemicals to form unwanted disinfection by-products.

Please refer to the publication Pool and Spa Water Treatment Applications for more complete information.

Effective dust control is built first on a foundation of quality gravel and proper road maintenance. Road construction experts can help you determine the proper foundation for your needs. 

Recommended calcium chloride application rates to control dust on gravel surfaces are included below. NOTE: When applying solid products, it is usually preferable to water the surface prior to spreading the product.

The most desirable calcium chloride product for any given situation is a matter of personal choice. Solid calcium chloride products may be spread directly or dissolved in water and spread as a liquid. In the U.S., the most common liquid concentration used for dust control is 38%. In Canada, the most common concentration is 35%. Liquid concentrations higher than 38% may be used; however, higher concentrations are more likely to crystallize as the solution cools. 

To maintain optimum dust control during unusually long periods of hot, dry weather, water the road surface during early morning hours as needed to reconstitute the initial treatment. Re-apply calcium chloride in the late summer or early fall as needed to prolong dust control.

For additional information, see Use Responsibly - Controlling Dust. 

Noticeable corrosion is unlikely to occur on vehicles driven on unpaved surfaces treated with calcium chloride. However, calcium chloride for dust suppression is present in small amounts and can stay bound in the soil in the road. Therefore, it is recommended to wash vehicles and equipment if you suspect the vehicle has encountered calcium chloride.

Likelihood of damage to vegetation and grassy areas along roadsides can be significantly limited if dust control applications follow current recommendations and standard practices.

For additional information, see Use Responsibly - Managing Impact.