Study on effectiveness of anti-icing and deicing performance of super-hydrophobic asphalt concrete

Super-hydrophobic asphalt concrete specimens were collaboratively designed and prepared by using modified hydrophobic materials and nano-materials. The anti-icing and deicing performance of super hydrophobic asphalt concrete at different working conditions was compared to the traditional asphalt concrete through the combination of simulation test and theoretical analysis. The ice-repellency of super-hydrophobic asphalt concrete was characterized by means of contact angle and surface energy. It was found that the super-hydrophobic asphalt concrete could effectively promote the water drop rolling from its surface, and the rolling rate could reach 80%. Compared to that of the traditional asphalt concrete, super-hydrophobic asphalt concrete could significantly reduce the adhesion forces between ice and road. The observed effect of super-hydrophobic asphalt concrete was a delay of frost formation and evolution. It was indicated that the residual rate of ice on super-hydrophobic asphalt concrete was about 21.6% and 48.6% of those on traditional asphalt concrete respectively when freezing snow and freezing rain conditions came. It was proved that super-hydrophobic material had better durability by abrasion test. Theoretical results showed that the surface energy on the surface of super-hydrophobic specimens was about 5% of this on traditional asphalt concrete. It was proved that the skid resistance performance of super-hydrophobic asphalt concrete could conform to the requirements of the specification and the economic benefit of super-hydrophobic asphalt pavement material is considerable in the long run. The findings demonstrated the potential of using super-hydrophobic asphalt concrete on highways in adverse weather to provide better anti-icing and deicing performance and contribute to traffic safety in winter. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.