Update: Catalytic Oxidation Testing for Cryotech E36, BX36, NX360 and XT360
Cryotech Deicing Technology is actively involved with aerospace industry efforts to reduce catalytic oxidation of carbon brakes. It has been determined that one cause is the potassium in common runway deicers such as potassium acetate and/or potassium formate deicers.
Potassium is known to accelerate weight loss of carbon used in some aircraft brake materials at certain temperatures and concentrations. As a result of this information, Cryotech developed Cryotech BX36 liquid runway deicer to contain less potassium than traditional deicers. BX36 showed greater than 80 percent reduction in carbon weight loss when compared to Cryotech E36 in testing performed by Honeywell in 2007. Similar testing by Messier-Buggati in November 2008 showed almost the identical significant improvement in carbon weight loss.
Cryotech's introduction of Cryotech NX360 and Cryotech XT360 in 2008 utilized no potassium. The expectation, based on chemical properties and other testing is that NX360 and XT360 will also perform better in catalytic oxidation testing than traditional potassium based deicers.
The protocol to test the effect of deicers on carbon brake material has been put on the ballot to be approved by the SAE A-5 Aerospace Landing Gear Committee in January 2010. If the protocol passes, it may then be approved by the SAE Aerospace Council at the full meeting in May 2010. Due to this test protocol being slightly different than the previous testing performed, all runway deicing products will need to be tested per the new protocol. The Internationally recognized Anti-icing Materials International Laboratory (AMIL) has been selected to perform the testing once the protocol has been approved.
Cryotech will continue to report information on the status of both the acceptance of the test protocol and the Cryotech product test results.
For more information contact:
Amy Munday
Marketing Manager, Acetates & Industrial
Cryotech Deicing Technology
(312)951-1115
John Moles
Chief Engineer
Cryotech Deicing Technology
(319)372-6012