Dry Ice Melters are made up of one or more of the following materials:

• Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
• Potassium Chloride (KCL)
• Calcium Chloride (CaCl2)
• Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2)
• Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA)
• Urea (CH4N2O)

There are many claims as to melting performance. These claims are rarely substantiated by any recognized lab test method. This is because ice melter is NOT regulated by EPA label registration laws. Therefore manufacturers are largely unaccountable for what they print about their product.

However, there is a standardized test that is recognized in the industry. The SHRP H-205.1 Test Method was developed by The Strategic Highway Research Program in 1992. This standard is used today in evaluating dry materials ice melting performance.

Here are some test results per the SHRP H-205.1 test method. These samples were tested at 15°F for 20 minutes.

Manufacturers frequently add potassium chloride and some also add urea to their product, thinking it will help the vegetation. Research shows that potassium & urea, when used as ice melters, end up being harmful, as shown on our vegetation page. Adding potassium is common, yet it retards the melt value to being less than salt, as you can see in Compound A & B.