Application Guidelines Cryotech CMA® Deicers
Field Application Guidelines for Commercial Customers
Cryotech CMA® is solid calcium magnesium acetate - a low-corrosion, environmental alternative to ordinary deicers like road salt, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride. CMA is selected when concrete damage, corrosion, or the environment are issues for winter operations. CMA works differently than ordinary deicers, however when used according to these guidelines, it is just as effective
Works differently
CMA pellets release heat and burrow to the pavement.
- CMA does not create a flowing brine.
- Early application of CMA just as the snow begins to fall and prior to ice formation will significantly improve its performance.
- CMA takes longer than salt to deice (about 10-20 minutes).
- Manually remove snow after surface bonding is broken.
CMA sticks to the pavement, giving residual, anti-icing action.
- Better than salt at preventing pack.
- Works where you put it. Broadcast evenly.
- Continues working, requires fewer applications.
Treated snow looks different
CMA treated surfaces are drier.
- Lighter, fluffier snow is easier to remove.
- Oatmeal appearance means good traction, not likely to pack with traffic.
- After the storm, CMA treated surface markings are clearly visible.
CMA has a different density
CMA weighs 0.79cm/m³.
- CMA gives denser, more uniform coverage - more particles per square meter.
- Proper calibration is important to compensate for density.
CMA must be used like CMA
CMA Application
- Start applying 25-50% more CMA than you would salt per application by weight (typically 20-40 g/m²)
After operators gain experience, CMA application rates may be reduced to optimal levels for local climate.
- Apply just as road or surface turns white, snow begins to stick, or ice begins to form. Premature application may result in product loss from traffic moving the CMA off of the road or surface. Late application reduces effectiveness.
- Allow enough time (at least 20 minutes) for CMA to penetrate the snow pack before plowing or shoveling. Wait at least 20 minutes.
- Expect a good residual effect
- Re-apply when new snow accumulation shows first tendency to pack or bond to the surface or when roadway or surface starts to refreeze.
- Like road salt, product effectiveness diminishes below -7°C.
Keep CMA in Dry Storage
- CMA will last indefinitely in storage if it is kept dry.
- If overhandling causes dust, wear a paper dust mask.
- CMA may cake in equipment if it gets wet.
Don’t park loaded spreading equipment outside in the weather.
- Close open bags at the end of the season.
Sand mixture
- Applications of straight CMA followed by plowing and sanding gives best possible traction.
- Use it like salt/sand mixtures. Six parts CMA by weight to 4 parts sand is a common practice.
- Use 5% by weight to keep sand piles free flowing in freezing weather.
