Deicing fluid
Ground deicing of aircraft is commonly performed in both commercial and general aviation. The fluids used in this operation are called deicing or anti-icing fluids. The abbreviations ADF (Aircraft Deicing Fluid) or AAF (Aircraft Anti-icing Fluid) are commonly used.
Types
Deicing fluids come in a variety of types, and are typically composed of ethylene glycol (EG) or propylene glycol (PG), along with other ingredients such as thickening agents, surfactants (wetting agents), corrosion inhibitors, and colored, UV-sensitive dye. Propylene Glycol-based fluid is more common due to the fact that it is less toxic than ethylene glycol.
The Society of Automotive Engineers publishes standards (SAE AMS 1428 and AMS 1424) for four different types of aviation deicing fluids:
Type I fluids have a low viscosity, and are considered "unthickened". They provide only short term protection because they quickly flow off surfaces after use. They are typically sprayed on hot (130–180°F, 55-80°C) at high pressure to remove snow, ice, and frost. Usually they are dyed orange to aid in identification and application.