Antifreeze compounds are those substances which, when mixed with some other liquid, lowers its freezing point. In cold countries, the liquids used in the cooling systems of cars and buses get frozen in winter months. Antifreeze compounds are used to prevent this freezing. In other instances, snow gets deposited on the wings of aircrafts flying in the cold areas. To prevent this, antifreeze compounds are used. In cold storages, special materials are used as antifreeze compounds.
The main ingredient of an antifreeze compound is usually a type of alcohol. Ethylene glycol is the basis of the most common antifreeze compound. This compound mixed with water is used in the radiators of automobile engines to lower the freezing point. It helps the internal combustion system of an engine to function normally without being frozen in cold. In winter season, this is also used with or without water in order to prevent the freezing of the cooling system. Sometimes, methyl alcohol is also used as an antifreeze compound in internal combustion engines. Methyl alcohol lowers the freezing point of water. When the risk of freezing is over, these antifreeze substances are often drained out of the cooling system because, due to evaporation, an antifreezer often loses its power, and can no longer protect the cooling system from rust and corrosion. It can also go into the block of an engine and cause problems in lubrication.
Ethylene glycol is used as an antifreezer to prevent snow from collecting on propellers and wings of air planes. Glycerol and ethyl alcohol are used to protect drugs and cosmetics from freezing during storage. Calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used in refrigeration equipments. Besides these, there are many other substances which are used as antifreeze compounds.