Description of Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is a highly soluble, hygroscopic salt that melts ice at -25°C, accelerates concrete curing, and preserves food texture. This versatile compound serves as a desiccant, dust suppressant, and food additive (E509) across industrial, construction, and food processing sectors.

Calcium chloride is a white crystalline solid or powder renowned for its exceptional moisture absorption properties and exothermic dissolution. Produced by reacting calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid, this inorganic salt is available in multiple grades—industrial, food, and pharmaceutical—each engineered for specific performance requirements.

Quick Facts: Calcium Chloride at a Glance

• Chemical Formula: CaCl₂

• Molecular Weight: 110.98 g/mol

• Freezing Point Depression: Effective to -25°C (-13°F)

• Food Additive Code: E509

• Solubility: 74.5 g/100mL at 20°C

• Melting Point: 772°C

• Common Names: CaCl2, calcium dichloride, ice melt salt

Key Properties of Calcium Chloride (Technical Specifications)

Calcium chloride’s industrial versatility stems from its distinct physical and chemical characteristics:

• Molecular Weight: 110.98 g/mol

• Melting Point: 772°C (1,422°F)

• High Solubility: Dissolves up to 74.5 g per 100 mL at 20°C, releasing significant heat (exothermic reaction)

• Hygroscopicity: Strong moisture absorption capacity—absorbs 8x its weight in water

• Freezing Point Depression: Enables effective ice melting and de-icing far below 0°C

• pH-Neutral Nature: 8-9 pH in solution, suitable for food and industrial uses

• Density: 2.15 g/cm³ (anhydrous)

These properties make CaCl₂ indispensable in diverse operational environments, from winter road maintenance to precise food preservation.

Grades and Forms of Calcium Chloride: Which to Choose?

Flakes (77–80% purity)

• Best For: De-icing roads, dust suppression on unpaved surfaces, and concrete acceleration

• Advantages: Cost-effective, rapid dissolution, excellent surface coverage

• Packaging: 25-kg HDPE bags, 1 MT bulk sacks

Pellets (94–97% purity)

• Best For: Oilfield operations, industrial processes, and precision applications

• Advantages: Low dust, uniform size, easy handling, high purity

• Applications: Hydraulic fracturing fluids, drilling muds, desiccant manufacturing

Liquid (30–40% concentration)

• Best For: Food processing, wastewater treatment, and moisture control systems

• Advantages: Ready-to-use, consistent concentration, ideal for spray applications

Applications and Uses of Calcium Chloride

De-Icing and Dust Control: Why It Outperforms Rock Salt

De-Icing: Calcium chloride is one of the most effective ice melt chemicals, capable of melting ice at temperatures as low as -25°C—far superior to sodium chloride (rock salt), which stops working at -9°C. Its exothermic dissolution generates heat, accelerating the melting process.

Dust Suppression: Applied to unpaved roads and industrial sites, CaCl₂ binds fine particles, reducing airborne dust by up to 80%. This improves air quality, visibility, and regulatory compliance with EPA particulate matter standards.

Application Rate: 1-2 lbs per square yard for dust control; 5-10 lbs per 100 sq ft for de-icing.

Oil and Gas Industry

In drilling and completion operations, calcium chloride serves as a critical component of brine solutions to:

• Stabilize shale formations and prevent clay swelling

• Manage wellbore pressures in high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) environments

• Enhance the efficiency and safety of hydraulic fracturing fluids

• Provide density control in completion fluids (up to 11.6 ppg)

Its compatibility with other oilfield additives makes it indispensable for modern extraction techniques.

Food and Beverage Industry (E509 Safety Standards)

As an approved food additive (E509), calcium chloride is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA at levels up to 0.3%.

Key Food Applications:

• Texture Preservation: Maintains firmness in canned vegetables, tomatoes, and pickles

• Cheese Production: Essential coagulant in tofu and cheese manufacturing

• Electrolyte Stabilizer: Added to sports drinks and bottled water for mineral fortification

• Brewing: Controls water hardness for optimal yeast fermentation

Food-Grade Specifications: Meets FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) standards with heavy metal limits <10 ppm.

Construction and Concrete Acceleration

In cold-weather concreting, calcium chloride is a proven accelerator that:

• Reduces setting time by 30-50% at 2% addition rate

• Enables faster project completion in temperatures as low as -10°C

• Improves early strength development (1-day strength increased by 50-100%)

Important Limitation: Not recommended for prestressed concrete or areas with reinforcing steel due to potential corrosion. Use non-chloride accelerators for reinforced structures.

Moisture Absorption and Drying

Due to its hygroscopic properties, calcium chloride is used as a desiccant in:

• Packaging for electronics and pharmaceuticals

• Air dryers and dehumidification systems

• Shipping containers to protect cargo from moisture damage

Capacity: Absorbs up to 8 times its weight in water, maintaining <40% relative humidity.

Calcium Chloride Safety & Environmental Impact

Health & Safety Guidelines

• Safety goggles and gloves (mineral dust resistant)

• NIOSH-approved respirator for prolonged exposure

• Protective clothing to prevent skin contact

Hazards:

• Eye Contact: Causes severe irritation; flush with water for 15 minutes

• Inhalation: May cause respiratory irritation; ensure adequate ventilation

• Ingestion: Low toxicity but may cause gastric upset

SDS Reference: Always consult the Safety Data Sheet before handling.

Environmental Considerations

Soil Impact: High concentrations can increase soil salinity. Use according to EPA guidelines and avoid runoff into vegetation.

Water Quality: While less harmful than sodium chloride, large quantities can affect aquatic life. Recommended application rates minimize environmental impact.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives: For sensitive areas, consider magnesium chloride or CMA (calcium magnesium acetate).

Calcium Chloride vs. Sodium Chloride: Which De-Icer Wins?

Production Process: How is Calcium Chloride Made?

Neutralization Process

CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂

Solvay Process

Extracted as a byproduct of sodium carbonate production, offering economic advantages for industrial-grade material. The process involves ammonia-soda reactions where CaCl₂ is crystallized from waste liquors.

Purification: Both processes involve filtration, evaporation, and drying before final processing into flakes, pellets, or liquid solutions.

Packaging, Storage & Handling Guidelines

Packaging Options

• 25-kg HDPE Bags: Standard for commercial and industrial users

• Bulk Sacks (1 MT): FIBC bags for large-scale operations and export

• ISO Tanks: Specialized for transporting liquid calcium chloride (30-40% solution)

• Custom Packaging: Available for pharmaceutical-grade requirements

Storage Recommendations

✓ Store in cool, dry area (<50% relative humidity)
✓ Use tightly sealed containers to prevent caking from moisture absorption
✓ Ensure adequate ventilation in storage areas
✓ Use corrosion-resistant materials (plastic, fiberglass, stainless steel)
✓ Rotate stock every 6 months (FIFO method)

✗ Avoid direct floor contact—palletize all bags
✗ Do not store with incompatible materials (strong acids, oxidizers)

Where to Buy High-Quality Calcium Chloride

• Food-Grade CaCl₂ with batch-specific COA

• Bulk Industrial Quantities (truckload/railcar)

• Custom Liquid Blends (30-45% concentration)

• Technical Support for application guidance

TECHNICAL DATASHEET OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE