Western road salt research tackles ’big interest’ challenge

Study of winter road salt tests multiple formulations against a variety of metals for performance, cost and harmful impacts The crunch of salt underfoot and the stain on your winter boots is all part of a typical Canadian winter. But what if there was a way to make it better for the Earth, the asphalt and the cars or bikes travelling over it? Western researchers are studying nine varieties of winter road salt and its corrosive effects on six different types of metals. They'll investigate how the different salts help or harm icy roads, infrastructure and the environment. Yolanda Hedberg, Canada Research Chair in Corrosion Science (Håkan Lindgren photo) The study, jointly led by chemistry professor Yolanda Hedberg and engineering professor Chris Power, is in its second year. It has garnered attention on Western's campus this winter, thanks to a cordoned-off area near the chemistry building on Perth Drive where samples of steel are sprayed with various salt brines once a week. "Salt is not sustainable. We are basically turning our Great Lakes into oceans if we continue this way.