We are Yixing Wencheng Chemical Co., Ltd., a manufacturer specializing in polyols—including ethylene glycol (EG)—with over 30 years of experience in the production and sales of polyols and their derivatives. Based on our years of experience in production and sales, today I will share information about the applications of ethylene glycol in antifreeze and coolant. When ethylene glycol is mixed with water, it has the property of lowering the freezing point of the aqueous solution, which can effectively prevent pipelines from freezing and cracking at low temperatures. With this property, ethylene glycol (EG) is currently the most mainstream antifreeze core raw material for liquid cooling in automobiles, industrial equipment, and data centers worldwide.
Ethylene glycol molecules contain two hydroxyl groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds with water molecules; this disrupts the crystalline structure of water, thereby lowering the freezing point of the aqueous solution. Within a reasonable range, the higher the concentration of ethylene glycol, the better the antifreeze effect. However, if the concentration exceeds 60%, the freezing point will rise instead of fall. The industry-standard mixing ratio is controlled between 20% and 60%, and different ratios can be matched to various regional and industry working conditions.
A 20% ethylene glycol aqueous solution has a freezing point of approximately -12.6°C, making it suitable for equipment rooms in low-latitude regions and for equipment operating at ambient temperatures. A 25% mixture freezes at around -17°C and is commonly used for vehicles in mid-latitude regions and for cold-plate liquid cooling systems in indoor AI servers. A 33% mixture has a freezing point of approximately -25°C, representing the standard formulation for mainstream automotive antifreeze products. A 45% mixture can withstand temperatures down to -37°C, making it suitable for vehicles and outdoor computing cabinets in high-latitude, frigid regions. A 55% mixture offers a freezing point as low as -48°C, meeting antifreeze requirements for operations in extremely cold mining areas and for large outdoor dry coolers.
Special note: Pure ethylene glycol has a freezing point of only -12.6℃ and limited antifreeze capability. It cannot be added directly and must be mixed with deionized water before being added to the circulation system.
The ethylene glycol antifreeze formulation system mainly consists of three parts: the main heat exchange medium, the core corrosion inhibitor, and multifunctional auxiliary agents. It has a scientific ratio and comprehensive performance, which can meet the heat dissipation, antifreeze, and corrosion protection needs of different equipment. The basic heat exchange medium is the core carrier, which is made of 20% to 70% industrial-grade or refined polyester-grade ethylene glycol and 30% to 80% high-purity deionized water. It is the key to determining the antifreeze and heat conduction performance of the antifreeze. Corrosion inhibitors are core functional components. Most mainstream long-lasting antifreezes on the market use the OAT/HOAT organic acid system, which can effectively protect the cold plates of equipment and engine blocks made of materials such as aluminum, copper, cast iron, and stainless steel, and inhibit electrochemical corrosion. Silicon-based and borate-based corrosion inhibitors are more cost-effective and are mostly used in traditional economical antifreezes for construction machinery. In addition, the formula incorporates a variety of auxiliary agents to synergistically enhance the effect. By adding defoamers, air bubbles in the circulation pipeline are eliminated, preventing air blockage and ensuring stable heat exchange efficiency. A pH buffer is used to maintain the system in a slightly alkaline range of 7.5 to 9.0, preventing acidification and corrosion of metals during long-term circulation. Fluorescent colorants in shades of red, green, and blue are added to facilitate quick visual inspection of pipeline leaks. Antibacterial agents are added to effectively inhibit the growth of algae and bacteria in the water, preventing blockage of the server's microchannel cold plates and comprehensively ensuring the long-term stable operation of the cooling system.
Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze fluids fall primarily into two application categories: automotive coolants and industrial heat-transfer fluids. This automotive antifreeze is compatible with the water-cooling circuits of motors in both fuel-powered vehicles and new energy electric vehicles. Leveraging the high boiling point of ethylene glycol (197℃), the formulated aqueous solution can reach a boiling point of over 108℃. This prevents pipes from freezing in low-temperature winter conditions, protecting the water tank and motor cooling channels, and also prevents the liquid from boiling in high-temperature summer conditions. When combined with the OAT long-life formula, it provides comprehensive corrosion protection for aluminum motor housings, copper radiators, and cast iron engines, achieving a long-term replacement-free lifespan of 5 years or 240,000 kilometers. Industrial cooling antifreeze is a core application product in the field of computing power liquid cooling. It is suitable for AI server cold plate liquid cooling CDU external circulation systems, central air conditioning, cold storage units, photovoltaic inverter cooling equipment. Ethylene glycol aqueous solution is commonly used in outdoor dry coolers of major data centers. It can simultaneously achieve winter antifreeze and uninterrupted and stable heat dissipation throughout the year. It can also be used as a constant temperature heat transfer medium for large chemical reaction vessels and injection mold integrated heating and cooling machines.
Antifreeze manufacturers have strict selection and procurement standards for ethylene glycol raw materials, and the purity of general industrial-grade ethylene glycol must reach 99.0% or higher. The raw materials must be strictly controlled for the content of impurities such as moisture and diethylene glycol (DEG). If the impurities exceed the standard, it is very easy to cause the antifreeze system to foam and change color, resulting in the failure of corrosion inhibition performance and affecting the equipment protection effect. Meanwhile, the raw materials must have low color and no odor to ensure that the finished antifreeze is clear and transparent without turbidity or sediment. Stable batch specifications are equally important, ensuring that the freezing point parameters and corrosion inhibition performance of the finished antifreeze are consistently stable, meeting the long-term use requirements of various automotive and industrial cooling systems. Yixing Wencheng Chemical Co., Ltd. offers industrial-grade ethylene glycol that is not only of superior quality but also highly competitively priced.
Ethylene glycol is a key raw material for antifreeze used in automotive applications, liquid cooling systems for AI computing, and industrial constant-temperature equipment. When blended with deionized water, it offers excellent freeze and boil protection alongside high thermal conductivity, making it suitable for a wide range of outdoor equipment operating in low temperatures and for cooling systems in large-scale data centers. Our company has strict control over impurities in industrial-grade ethylene glycol, ensuring a stable supply. We are a long-term supplier to antifreeze manufacturers and liquid cooling equipment manufacturers for computer rooms, and can deliver in large quantities and stably. With 30 years of experience in the industry, we have always adhered to quality and stable production capacity. We sincerely welcome customers from all walks of life to consult, discuss, and cooperate with us!
