NEXCEL Project Paper 60
Release time: 2026/07/16 Publisher： original Views：
Study on the road performance and development mechanism of polyurethane binder in different media solutions
Professor XU Jian, Principal Investigator of NEXCEL 2024 TDA project "Development and demonstration of high-performance polymer mixture pavement with higher durability and longer service life" from Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport，has published a paper entitled "Study on the road performance and development mechanism of polyurethane binder in different media solutions" in "Construction and Building Materials" (SCI) recently.
Abstract：
Polyurethane pavements are significantly impacted by complex water environments, including acid rain, road alkalization, engine oil, and de-icing salts. This study quantified the performance loss and elucidated the degradation mechanisms of polyurethane binder under these solutions conditions. The solution soaking tests simulating environmental exposure were conducted, followed by characterization of surface morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability and other performances. The degradation mechanisms were further elucidated through microstructure, hydrogen bonding, and crosslinking density. Finally, polyurethane binder’s adaptability to road environments was comprehensively evaluated by the radar chart-based composite suitability index. The results indicated that exposure to acid, alkali, oil, salt, and water solutions reduced the polyurethanebinder’s toughness by 15.8%-28.1% and caused visible surface alterations attributed to chemical changes. Thewater solution has been proven to reduce the polyurethane binder’s macroscopic properties by weakening hydrogen bonds and cross-linking density. Acidic and alkaline solutions could accelerate hydrolysis of the polyurethane binder, reducing cross-linking chain proportion by 5.4%-8.4%. Chloride ions in salt solution deteriorated properties by breaking chemical bonds, reducing crosslinking density by 5.1%. The oil solution degradation to polyurethane binder primarily resulted from swelling effects. Overall, the deteriorating severity of water, alkali, oil, acid, and salt solutions on polyurethane binder intensify sequentially. The research findingshold significant implications for assessing the environmental adaptability of polyurethane pavements.
Paper Details:
Construction and Building Materials 495 (2025) 143675
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.143675
