Inhibited propylene glycol for closed-loop hydronic heating and cooling

Cryo-Tek Alternative

Inhibited propylene glycol premixes and concentrate, matched to each Cryo-Tek grade by freeze point. Blended and shipped from Taylor, Texas, with a certificate of analysis on every lot.

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01

The short answer

Quick answer

Cryo-Tek is Oatey's Hercules line of propylene glycol antifreeze for closed-loop hydronic systems. The -100 in Cryo-Tek -100 is its burst protection, not its freeze point: Oatey rates it to freeze at -70 °F and protect pipes from bursting down to -100 °F. Compare freeze point to freeze point. Our coldest stock propylene glycol freezes at about -60 °F, so it is about 10 °F warmer than Cryo-Tek -100. For Cryo-Tek -100 diluted with water and for Cryo-Tek Original, our premixes freeze as cold or colder. Our inhibitor is different from Hercules Triple Protection, so this is an alternative, not the same fluid.

02

What to order

The products that fit this spec, and what each one is for.

For Cryo-Tek Original, or -100 at 75%

Inhibited Propylene Glycol 50/50 with OAT Inhibitor

50% propylene glycol by weight premix that freezes colder than Cryo-Tek Original (-22 °F) and Cryo-Tek -100 mixed 3 to 1 with water (-21 °F).

Freeze point: approx. -33 °C (-28 °F) at 50 wt% propylene glycol · Quart to 330-gallon tote · COA with every lot

See sizes and pricing TDSSDS
For Cryo-Tek -100 at 60% (0 °F)

Inhibited Propylene Glycol 40/60 with OAT Inhibitor

40% by weight premix that freezes colder than Cryo-Tek -100 mixed 3 parts to 2 parts water.

Freeze point: approx. -21 °C (-6 °F) at 40 wt% propylene glycol · Quart to 330-gallon tote · COA with every lot

See sizes and pricing TDSSDS
For Cryo-Tek -100 at 50% (10 °F)

Inhibited Propylene Glycol 30/70 with OAT Inhibitor

30% by weight premix, about 1 °F colder typical than Cryo-Tek -100 mixed 1 to 1 with water.

Freeze point: approx. -13 °C (9 °F) at 30 wt% propylene glycol · Quart to 330-gallon tote · COA with every lot

See sizes and pricing TDSSDS
Our coldest premix (Cryo-Tek -100 users)

Propylene Glycol 60% Inhibited

Our coldest stock propylene glycol. It is about 10 °F warmer than Cryo-Tek -100's -70 °F freeze point, so check it against your design temperature first.

Freeze point: approx. -51 °C (-60 °F) at 60 wt% propylene glycol · Quart to 330-gallon tote · COA with every lot

See sizes and pricing TDSSDS
Concentrate, or blended to order

100% Propylene Glycol Inhibited

Inhibited propylene glycol concentrate for site blending with deionized water, or blended by us to the freeze point you need.

Quart to 330-gallon tote · COA with every lot

See sizes and pricing TDSSDS

Need a different concentration? We blend to the freeze point you specify, in pails, drums and 275- or 330-gallon totes.

03

About Cryo-Tek

What Oatey publishes about the Hercules Cryo-Tek fluids.

GlycolVirgin propylene glycol, sold premixed and ready to use; Cryo-Tek AG is a concentrate
Grade namesThe number in Cryo-Tek -100 is burst protection in °F: freeze -70 °F, pumpable -80 °F, burst -100 °F
InhibitorHercules Triple Protection additives; chemistry not named
ColorRed (-100), blue (Original, AG), green (FG)
MetalsStandard Cryo-Tek is not for aluminum or galvanized systems; Cryo-Tek -100/AL is for aluminum heat exchangers
Food contactIts propylene glycol is GRAS for incidental food contact; Cryo-Tek FG is sold as food grade

Matched by freeze point

Cryo-Tek grade Their freeze point Their burst point Our closest Our freeze point Note
-100, undiluted
-70 °F
-100 °F
Propylene Glycol 60% Inhibited
-60 °F typical, -58 °F max
Gap: about 10 °F warmer. We do not offer a propylene glycol rated colder than -60 °F
-100 at 75% (3 parts to 1 water)
-21 °F
-60 °F
Inhibited Propylene Glycol 50/50 with OAT Inhibitor
-28 °F typical, -27 °F max
Colder
-100 at 60% (3 parts to 2 water)
0 °F
-40 °F
Inhibited Propylene Glycol 40/60 with OAT Inhibitor
-6 °F typical, -5 °F max
Colder
-100 at 50% (1 part to 1 water)
10 °F
-20 °F
Inhibited Propylene Glycol 30/70 with OAT Inhibitor
9 °F typical, 10 °F max
About 1 °F colder typical
Original
-22 °F
-80 °F
Inhibited Propylene Glycol 50/50 with OAT Inhibitor
-28 °F typical, -27 °F max
Colder
-100/AL (aluminum heat exchangers)
-60 °F
-100 °F
No match
—
We publish no aluminum rating for our propylene glycol
FG (food grade)
-22 °F
-80 °F
No match
—
Ours is not food grade
AG concentrate
—
—
100% Propylene Glycol Inhibited
Concentrate
For site blending

Source: Oatey Cryo-Tek -100 technical specification (LCS5248B) (Table II mixing ratios; Cryo-Tek Original, -100/AL and FG figures from Oatey's specification section 22 01 00, Plumbing Accessories Chemical).

04

Side by side

Cryo-Tek compared with our inhibited propylene glycol line

Property Cryo-Tek (published) Alliance inhibited propylene glycol Comparison
Glycol
Virgin propylene glycol
Propylene glycol
Same
Grade naming
Burst protection in °F (Cryo-Tek -100)
Percent propylene glycol by weight, rated by freeze point
Different
Coldest freeze point
-70 °F (Cryo-Tek -100)
-60 °F typical, -58 °F max (Propylene Glycol 60% Inhibited)
Does not meet
Burst protection
-100 °F (-100), -80 °F (Original)
Not published; we design to freeze point
Not tested
Inhibitor
Triple Protection; type not named
Nitrite-containing hybrid organic-acid package
Different
Aluminum heat exchangers
Cryo-Tek -100/AL
No aluminum rating published for our propylene glycol
Does not meet
Food grade
Cryo-Tek FG
No. Not for food contact or potable water
Different
Color
Red, blue or green by grade
Undyed; green or purple leak-detection dye can be added
On request

Our column comes from our controlled technical data sheets and SDS. Their column comes from published sources; we do not test competitor fluids.

05

Questions

What does the -100 in Cryo-Tek -100 mean?

It is the burst protection in °F, not the freeze point and not a concentration. Oatey rates Cryo-Tek -100 to start freezing at -70 °F and to protect pipes from bursting down to -100 °F. Freeze point is where ice crystals start to form and the fluid stops pumping well; burst point is where the slush can split a pipe. Compare freeze point to freeze point and burst point to burst point, never one against the other.

Which of your products matches Cryo-Tek -100?

None of our stock products freezes as cold. Our coldest, Propylene Glycol 60% Inhibited, freezes at about -60 °F typical (-58 °F max), about 10 °F warmer than Cryo-Tek -100. We do not publish burst ratings; we design to freeze point. If your system only needs the freeze point of a diluted Cryo-Tek mix, the table above shows a premix for each one.

Which of your products matches Cryo-Tek Original?

Our Inhibited Propylene Glycol 50/50 with OAT Inhibitor, at about -28 °F typical against Cryo-Tek Original's -22 °F freeze point.

Can I top up a Cryo-Tek system with your fluid?

No. Do not mix inhibitor chemistries. Drain, flush with deionized water and refill.

Can I use your propylene glycol in a food plant or potable-water system?

No. Cryo-Tek FG is sold as food grade; ours is not food grade and is not for food contact or potable water.

Is your propylene glycol nitrite-free?

No. Our inhibited propylene glycol contains a nitrite-containing hybrid organic-acid inhibitor package.

Can you add dye?

Yes. Our fluid ships undyed; green or purple leak-detection dye can be pre-mixed on request.

Quote a fill

Pricing, freight and lead time for your site

Tell us where the coolant goes, how much, and when it has to be there.

  • Priced for your volume, from pails to 330-gallon totes
  • Freight to your site from Taylor, Texas
  • Blended to the freeze point you specify, COA with every lot

Prefer to talk? (512) 365-6838

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Cryo-Tek and Hercules are trademarks of Oatey Co. Alliance Chemical is not affiliated with Oatey or its distributors, and our products are not Cryo-Tek or Hercules products. Comparisons use Oatey's published information; confirm against the current data sheet and your system's fluid specification before switching.