A deicing composition comprises a mixture of a deicing agent and a
corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibitor comprises an effective
amount of a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid, preferably an aldaric or aldonic
acid. The salts of aldaric and aldonic acids are much more potent
corrosion inhibitors for deicing than agricultural by-products or refined
sugars that are today commonly used as corrosion inhibitors, and
therefore can be used at lower concentrations to obtain the same effect
as a higher concentration of a simple sugar. The deicing composition can
be used as a deicer, anti-icer, or a pre-wetting agent. The deicing agent
can include a deicing salt such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride,
and/or calcium chloride. Further, a method of making a deicing
composition includes mixing a deicing agent and a corrosion inhibitor.
The corrosion inhibitor can be dissolved in a liquid, such as brine,
which can be sprayed on a solid deicing salt.