Ice on the roads is the most unpleasant and dangerous manifestation of winter, which contributes to an increase in the number of accidents and injuries. To combat it, road maintenance services use various anti-icing agents. One of the most popular and effective methods is the sand-and-s alt mixture, which has been used in our country for several decades.
What is sands alt
Sand s alt is a mixture of sand (river or quarry) and technical s alt in certain proportions. Sand contributes to the reliable adhesion of the wheels of the car to the road surface. S alt provides rapid melting of snow or ice. Thanks to the properties of these components and their combined effect on the surface, the mixture not only effectively cleans the road from precipitation, but also provides economic benefits.
Specifications
As you know, the most effective means used to combat ice is a sand-s alt mixture. Its technical characteristics contribute not only to the melting of the icy coating, but also to the creation of an anti-slip surface. This anti-icing product is producedmeans of pure, clay-free sand, having a moisture content of not more than 5% and a particle size of up to 5 mm. The crushed s alt must contain grains of at least 90%, size 1.2 - 2.5 mm, or 85% - 4.5 mm.
Properly calculated proportions of sodium chloride and sand reduce the negative impact of s alt on the environment, rubber and metal surfaces. The sand-s alt mixture has a high melting rate, moderate consumption per 1m2 area. It is resistant to low temperatures and can be used down to -35C°.
Application
Sand and s alt mixture is one of the cheapest ways to deal with ice. It has distinctive features, thanks to which it is successfully used on the streets and highways. This tool is designed to reduce the risk of accidents on slippery roads, as well as injury to pedestrians. It is used to prevent the appearance of an ice edge on the road surface, as well as to remove snow and already formed ice.
Sprinkling the mixture is best before the start of a snowfall. This contributes to a higher de-icing effect on the roads. Roads can be sprinkled with a specially equipped vehicle or manually. During severe frosts, the mixture can freeze into lumps, which makes it difficult to spill. To ensure the free-flowing qualities of sand s alt at any air temperature, some manufacturers use dried sand during production.
The use of sand s alt is limited on the territory of schools and preschool institutions,children's playgrounds, sidewalks, reinforced concrete bridges, overpasses, as s alt adversely affects pedestrian shoes and metal. In this regard, despite the low cost, recently it has been little used to combat ice on sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. If the consumption norms are not observed, the mixture harms green spaces and lawns.
Advantages and disadvantages
Such an anti-icing agent as sand s alt has a lot of positive qualities:
- sustainable;
- reliability;
- efficiency;
- low price;
- fire safety.
In addition, the product is easy to prepare and use, does not need special storage conditions and has an unlimited shelf life. It is quite economical, besides, it is permissible to change the proportions of the components depending on the air temperature.
Sand-s alt mixture has some drawbacks.
- Uncleaned sand contributes to the appearance of a mess on the roads.
- At -20°C there may be clumps of the mixture, making it difficult to evenly distribute it.
- Sand gets into storm drains and clogs them.
- The mixture has a negative effect on animal paws, leather shoes, green spaces, lawns.
Preparation of sand s alt
Preparation of the sand-and-s alt mixture is carried out in dry and warm rooms by mechanical mixing of twocomponents. Their ratio is usually: sand 70%, sodium chloride 30%. The following ratios are also acceptable: 50:50 or 75:25. It is worth noting that adding more s alt to the product increases the melting ability, but increases the cost of production. The following factors influence the ratio of the components of the sand-s alt mixture:
- ambient temperature;
- ice thickness;
- s alt consumption;
- humidity.
The consumption of the sand-and-s alt mixture depends on the air temperature, as well as the amount of snow and ice. For 1m2 no more than 2 kg of s alt per season should be used, which is about 15-25 g per square meter at a time.
Storage
Sand-s alt mixture has an unlimited shelf life. Subject to all storage standards, it can retain its properties for a long period. Since s alt has an increased ability to absorb moisture, it must be provided with a dry room. Sand does not require special conditions and can be stored indefinitely. All anti-icing agents must have certain characteristics, including the sand-s alt mixture. GOST regulates its quality indicators, rules for use and storage.
Economy, high efficiency, low price and ease of use are the main qualities that have allowed the sand-s alt mixture to lead the anti-icing reagents market for many decades.
