S.6 Chassis Study Group Information Report 2002-1: Road Chemical Induced Corrosion

Aggressive corrosion, caused by new formulations of road ice clearing chemicals, has recently become a serious maintenance problem for many equipment users. Use of magnesium chloride- and calcium chloride-based products by certain states is especially associated with increased incidence of corrosion on vehicles, causing damage in as little as a single winter season. In order to reduce this problem, the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) is calling on suppliers of road ice clearing chemicals to change the formulation of their products to make them less prone to cause corrosion in commercial vehicles, road and bridge surfaces and underlying structures. If this is not possible, then TMC is asking that manufacturers of vehicles make design and/or material changes to their product to resist road ice clearing chemical induced corrosion.

Issued: November 2002