Antifreeze is one of the most widely used additives in manufacturing, automotive, and industrial applications. Different types of antifreeze protect engines, support HVAC systems, and serve as core components of industrial heating and refrigeration systems. It’s no stretch to say that the global economy relies on antifreeze to run smoothly. Central to any antifreeze application are a few key ingredients, some that have been used in antifreeze products for nearly 200 years and others that are newer innovations.
The Three Main Antifreeze Ingredients, for Now
As with most commercial and industrial products, antifreeze components have changed over time. But the product hasn’t evolved as much as one might expect. Glycerol, a non-toxic ingredient initially used in ammunition until the First World War, was the default antifreeze during the rapid industrialization of European economies through the 1920s and 1930s. Then advancements in petroleum refinement changed the industry for good when the inventor Charles Wurtz introduced a substance he couldn’t find a use for: ethylene glycol.
Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze
Perhaps the most important ingredient in antifreeze is ethylene glycol, the marquee ingredient in most automotive antifreeze products. Unlike its predecessor, glycerol, ethylene glycol is toxic. However, it’s also less expensive to process and boasts a lower freezing point. As the active ingredient in antifreeze, it has a freezing point of approximately -45 degrees Celsius when mixed with water. It also exhibits exceptional heat transfer characteristics with a boiling point of 197 degrees Celsius in its pure form.
The use of ethylene glycol is so pervasive that many industry experts consider it to be the chemical formula for antifreeze – C2H6O2.
Propylene Glycol Antifreeze
Propylene glycol is less toxic than ethylene glycol. However, it’s more expensive than its more toxic cousin, and it requires larger quantities to deliver the same results. It’s well-suited for applications that would be dangerous if chemical contamination occurred, including in the food industry. It’s commonly used as a humectant, solvent, and preservative in salad dressings, sauces, and baked goods.
As more consumers and companies prioritize sustainability, propylene glycol becomes more popular due to its biodegradability and lower toxicity. It’s now playing a larger role in applications historically dominated by ethylene glycol, including:
- Automotive antifreeze formulations
- De-icing solutions for aircraft
- Industrial and manufacturing coolants
Methanol Antifreeze
While not used in most automotive antifreeze formulations, methanol is used in many related applications across industries. It’s the active antifreeze ingredient in windshield wiper fluid, and it keeps the water from freezing in natural gas pipelines and propane tanks. It’s also an antifreeze agent in cold-start automotive applications and consumer products’ fuel system additives.
The Future of Antifreeze Is Sustainable
What’s old is new again, especially in antifreeze ingredients.
Glycerin Returns
Glycerin antifreeze products are expected to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the $5.8 billion global antifreeze market. Sometimes called “nature’s antifreeze,” glycerin is a non-toxic, bio-based alternative to petroleum-based glycols. Despite glycerin’s benefits, its adoption in many applications has been slow, primarily due to its higher costs, high freezing temperatures, and rapid degradation rate compared to incumbent ingredients.
Vegetable-based Antifreeze
Several suppliers make vegetable-based antifreeze products for HVAC, automotive, and other non-industrial applications with relatively narrow freezing and boiling differences. These products rely on a mix of vegetable extracts, corrosion inhibitors, and bio-inhibitors to prevent bacterial growth. Recent engineering has ushered in vegetable-based, antifreeze-grade glycerin for residential HVAC systems.
The Right Antifreeze Formulation for Any Application
Tilley Distribution is a leading distributor of Prestone antifreeze products, serving industrial, commercial, and automotive customers across North America. We identify the right antifreeze to deliver exceptional results for any application, and we provide reliable distribution and technical support. See what our approach can do for your organization; speak with a Tilley representative today to get started.
