Safety Emporium for all your lab and safety needs

Flash point

Glossary Index

Fume

MSDS Topics	Free Sites	FAQ's	Regulations	Glossary	Software	Suppliers
	Books	Forum	Poll	Fun stuff	Quiz	Store
Understand your MSDS with the MS-Demystifier				Search ALL our MSDS info

Freezing Point

Definition

Freezing point is the temperature at which a liquid becomes a solid at normal atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, a melting point is the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid at normal atmospheric pressure. A more specific definition of freezing point is the temperature at which solid and liquid phases coexist in equilibrium. The normal freezing point is the temperature at a substance melts (or freezes) at one atmosphere (760 torr = 760 mm Hg = 14.7 psi = 101.3 kPa) of pressure.

Get your freeze-resistant fire fighting foam at Safety Emporium.

Additional Info

Melting points can be determined by visual inspection or by monitoring the temperature of the liquid with time. When the freezing point is reached, the temperature of the solution will no longer drop until all the liquid has frozen.



Melting points may be lowered (depressed) by the addition of a soluble material to the solution. The degree of lowering depends on the solvent and is easily predicted using a simple equation (see below).

MSDS Relevance

The freezing/melting point is an important material property to know. Some materials must be prevented from freezing to protect their integrity or the product packaging. Likewise, many materials may expand when heated above their melting point and may overflow or burst their container.

The freezing/melting point is one of the items that OSHA requires to be on an MSDS.

Further Reading

Melting Point, Freezing Point, Boiling Point at Purdue University. Freezing Point Depression in Solutions at HyperPhysics. Fun with Liquid Nitrogen here on our site. Colligative Properties at Chemistry Explained. Why Does Salt Melt Ice? at General Chemistry Online. See also: Boiling point, Vapor pressure Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

These HazCom labels come in handy rolls of 500 at Safety Emporium.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.