Jäätymiskestäviä

Jäätymiskestäviä is a Finnish term that translates to "frost-resistant" or "freezing-resistant" in English. It describes materials, substances, or living organisms that can withstand freezing temperatures without suffering significant damage or degradation. The specific properties and mechanisms of jäätymiskestäviä vary greatly depending on the context.

In the context of materials science and construction, jäätymiskestäviä refers to the ability of a substance, such as concrete or certain plastics, to endure cycles of freezing and thawing without cracking or losing its structural integrity. This is often achieved through specific formulations, additives, or manufacturing processes. For example, concrete designed to be jäätymiskestäviä may contain air-entraining agents that create small air bubbles to relieve pressure caused by expanding ice.

When discussing living organisms, jäätymiskestäviä refers to their capacity to survive sub-zero temperatures. This can involve various biological adaptations. Plants might achieve this through physiological changes like producing antifreeze proteins, accumulating sugars or other cryoprotectants in their cells, or by shedding leaves and entering dormancy. Animals may have mechanisms such as producing glycerol, thickening their fur or feathers, or hibernating. The term implies a capacity to survive freezing either by preventing ice formation within critical tissues or by managing the effects of ice formation in a non-lethal way.