CMA AND SALT MIX CUTS CORROSION

Investigations of the corrosion performance of CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) and CMA-rock salt mixes suggest that the more economical mix may provide almost as much corrosion protection as CMA by itself. Since it appears that more rock salt than CMA can be used in such a mix, it is likely that the mix will also retain many of the beneficial deicing advantages of salt, such as lower melting temperature. Research has identified CMA as the most promising replacement for salt. In corrosion studies, CMA produced only a third to a tenth the average corrosion for the same materials in rock salt. The pros and cons of using CMA are discussed. Its big draw back is price. However, it has been found that CMA salt mixes provide corrosion protection that almost equals CMA alone at economical costs.