Polymeric thermochromic dye for improvement of asphalt pavement durability : final report. (original) (raw)

Asphalt pavements features good performance and relatively low construction and maintenance

costs. However, the black color of asphalt binder implies that the sunlight is not reflected but

absorbed, which raises the temperature of the asphalt pavement and impairs its long-term durability.

This project investigated the use of innovative polymeric thermochromic materials into asphalt

binder to develop thermochromic asphalt binder, which will reduce the surface temperature of

asphalt pavement during summer and lead to improved durability. Comparison measurements have

found that the surface temperature of thermochromic asphalt binder is lower than that of the

conventional asphalt binder. Besides the cooling effects, study showed that the surface temperature

of thermochromic asphalt was higher than regular asphalt under low temperature. This means

thermochromic asphalt can delay ice formation on the surface of road than traditional asphalt, which

is an important potential benefits for road safety in cold regions The project conducted a pilot study

to gauge the potential of thermochromic asphalt concrete to improve the durability of the pavement,

reduce the environmental impacts, and mitigate ice related safety issues on the road.