Airport Runway Liquid Potassium Formate

Airport Runway Liquid Potassium Formate | Aviation-Grade Deicing Fluid for Extreme Winter Conditions

Airport Runway Liquid Potassium Formate from Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical Co., Ltd. is a high-performance, chloride-free runway deicing solution engineered for demanding aviation environments. This is a colorless clear liquid with a potassium formate (HCOOK) content of 75%±0.5% . It has a freezing point of ≤-35°C and a snow melting rate of ≥90% within 30 minutes at -20°C. It does not corrode aviation aluminum alloy materials at all and restricts carbon steel corrosion to ≤0.03g/m2.h. Shanxi Zhaoyi has over 30 years expertise in chemical manufacture with annual capacity of 150,000 tons. We provide a consistent, compliant and reasonably priced product to airports across the globe.

Technical Specifications

What Is Airport Runway Liquid Potassium Formate?

Liquid potassium formate (CAS No. 590-29-4) is the potassium salt of formic acid. The chemical formula is HCOOK and the molecular weight is 84.12. It appears as a clear colorless liquid, without evident stratification or precipitation for its runway deicing grade.

Unlike chloride-based deicers, potassium formate runway deicing liquid does not add halide ions that attack aircraft metal components or pollute soil and groundwater. This makes it one of today's most environmentally-preferred solutions for runway surface treatment.

Its biodegradable nature and low Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) profile are advantageous for airports in complying with stormwater discharge laws without affecting deicing effectiveness.

Key Performance Characteristics

Lower-Temperature Fast Ice Melting

At -20°C, the fluid melts 90% of the snow in 30 minutes. With a freezing point of ≤-35°C, it keeps runways open in extreme winter weather.

Non-Corrosive to Aircraft Materials

Corrosion rate to carbon steel is ≤0.03g/m²·h. Critically, it causes no corrosion to aircraft aluminum alloy materials — an essential requirement for any airport deicing fluid potassium formate product used near aircraft, ground equipment, and infrastructure.

High Concentration Stability

Potassium formate content is maintained at 75%±0.5% without stratification or precipitation, guaranteeing constant performance from batch to batch.

No Flash Point

The fluid carries no flash point, making it safe for storage in airport tank farms and for mechanical spray application during active operations.

Ultra-Low Impurity Profile

• Chloride (Cl): ≤0.005%
• Iron (Fe): ≤0.0005%
• Heavy metals (as Pb): ≤0.0005%

These trace impurity levels protect sensitive landing gear components, cadmium-plated parts, and carbon brakes from secondary contamination.

Airport Runway Liquid Potassium Formate vs Other Products

Quality Control & Testing

Quality assurance for potassium formate runway deicing liquid follows internationally recognized aviation standards. Every production batch goes through systematic inspection before shipment.

Corrosion Resistance Testing

Products are tested to ASTM F 1111 (Sandwich Corrosion) and ASTM F 483 (Total Immersion Corrosion) procedures. These tests indicate that the fluid will not damage aviation aluminum alloys (AMS 4037, AMS 4045) or high strength steel components under service circumstances.

Hydrogen Embrittlement Verification

ASTM F 519 testing is used to verify that the fluid does not induce microscopic cracking in landing gear steel — a critical safety requirement for any fluid applied near aircraft.

Concentration and pH Batch Verification

Refractive index and pH checks are carried out on each batch to confirm concentration integrity and inhibitor stability before the product is loaded into airport storage tanks.

Compliance with International Civil Aviation Standards

The product meets ICAO-aligned quality benchmarks and supports independent testing by third-party international institutions. This allows procurement officers to verify compliance within their own airport authority requirements.

Certifications & Compliance

Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical Co., Ltd. operates under a multi-standard quality and safety management framework:

• ISO 9001 — Quality Management System Certification
• ISO 14001 — Environmental Management System Certification
• ISO 45001 — Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certification

Kosher Certification

Halal Certification (applicable product grades)

The company supports on-site factory audits by domestic and international customers for Airport Runway Liquid Potassium Formate. Multilingual MSDS, COA, and conformity documents are available upon request to support your import and compliance processes.

Applications Beyond Aviation

While airport runway deicing is the primary use case, liquid potassium formate serves several additional industrial applications:

Oilfield drilling fluids — High-density, low-damage completion and workover fluids

Leather industry — Used as a masking acid during processing

Print and dyeing industry — Functions as a reducing agent

Construction — Early strength agent in cement paste formulations

Agriculture — Applied as a foliar fertilizer

Carbon black manufacturing — Process additive

This broad applicability means your supply relationship with Shanxi Zhaoyi can extend across multiple procurement categories.

Packaging, Storage & Supply

Packaging Options

• 1000L IBC tanks
• Flexibags (20 tons per bag) — suitable for airport bulk storage and mechanical spraying

Storage Requirements

Store in a cool, dry, dedicated warehouse. Keep relative humidity ≤60%. Shelf life is 6 months from the date of production. Keep away from heat, moisture, and incompatible substances including toxic chemicals.

Delivery & Lead Times

• Spot supply is maintained during peak snow seasons
• Bulk orders: preparation recommended 20 days in advance
• Standard lead time: 5–7 working days
• Stock orders: delivery within 24 hours when available
• Inquiries answered within 2 hours

Logistics

Long-term cooperation with professional freight forwarders and international shipping companies supports safe, on-schedule delivery. FOB, CIF, and DAP trade terms are all available.

FAQ

Q: What concentration does your product come in?

A：The standard concentration is 75%±0.5% potassium formate (HCOOK). This formulation is calibrated to deliver optimal deicing performance and freezing point depression without unnecessary dilution. Custom concentrations can be arranged upon request based on your operational requirements.

Q: What is the lowest temperature this product remains effective?

A：Freezing point: ≤-35°C It melts ≥90% of snow in 30 minutes at -20°C. It is dependable in harsh winter conditions of northern airports and high altitude airfields.

Q: Is potassium formate deicing fluid safe for aviation aluminum alloys?

A: Yes. The product does not corrode the aviation aluminum alloy material, and restricts the corrosion of carbon steel to ≤0.03g/m2·h. It doesn’t include chloride ions that may harm landing gear, cadmium-plated parts or carbon brakes.

Q: Is potassium formate from airport de-icing fluid environmentally compliant for discharge?

A: Potassium formate is biodegradable and has a much lower BOD and COD profile than urea or glycol based alternatives. Meets the contemporary storm water discharge criteria of most major international airports.

Q: What certifications can you provide for compliance verification?

A：We hold ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications. We provide multilingual MSDS, COA, and conformity documentation. Third-party testing by international authoritative institutions is also supported.

Q: What are your minimum order quantities and packaging formats?

A：Products ship in 1000L IBC tanks or 20-ton Flexibags. We accommodate both small trial orders and large bulk procurement. Custom packaging and OEM labeling are available for long-term supply partners.

Contact Us

Ready to secure a reliable supply of aviation-grade Airport Runway Liquid Potassium Formate deicing fluid for your airport operations? Contact our team today for pricing, samples, and technical documentation.

📧 sxzy@sxzhaoyi.com ​​​​​​​