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Polymer Materials for Pavement Applications
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Polymer Materials for Pavement Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 8317

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Weiying Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Aviation, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Jiangjun Road, Nanjing 211106, China
Interests: warm mix asphalt; recycled asphalt; intelligent detection of asphalt pavement; polymer-modified asphalt
Dr. Ruikang Yang

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Key Laborafory of Road and Traffic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
Interests: nondestructive tests for asphalt pavement; pavement performance prediction; pavement structure evaluation; integrated design of pavement materials and structures
Dr. Chengwei Xing

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory for Special Area Highway Engineering of Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, South 2nd Ring Road Middle Section, Xi’an 710064, China
Interests: bitumen aging and reclamation of recycled bitumen pavement; in situ tests or nondestructive tests (NDTs) for asphalt mixtures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mingchen Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 16024, China
Interests: in situ tests or nondestructive tests for asphalt mixtures; ecological road engineering technologies; green intelligent road materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhanchuang Han

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environment Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
Interests: evaluation of recycled materials for asphalt pavement; cold recycling technology and mixture design methods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer materials represent a significant advancement in modern pavement engineering, delivering improved performance and sustainability benefits. By incorporating polymers into pavement systems, engineers have successfully addressed longstanding challenges, including rutting, cracking, and durability issues across diverse environmental conditions. As our cities grow and traffic intensifies, the demand for innovative, high-performance pavement materials becomes ever more urgent.

Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in polymer-modified materials for pavement applications. These innovations include polymer-modified asphalt binders, geosynthetic reinforcements, and polymer-enhanced concrete. Compared to traditional materials, these polymer-based alternatives demonstrate superior mechanical strength, weather resistance, and extended service life. Despite these advances, we still need more comprehensive research to understand how these materials perform under real-world conditions and how they behave over extended periods.

This Special Issue, titled "Polymer Materials for Pavement Applications," seeks to showcase pioneering research and technological innovations in the field of polymer-based pavement materials. We invite submissions on various aspects of polymer applications in pavement engineering, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Development and testing of polymer-modified binders and mixtures;
  • Environmental impact studies and lifecycle assessments of polymer-based pavement solutions;
  • Innovative uses of recycled polymers in road construction and rehabilitation projects;
  • Studies on the aging process and long-term durability of polymer-modified pavements;
  • Analysis of how polymer-modified asphalt responds to different loads and environmental factors;
  • Real-world performance data from polymer-enhanced pavement installations;
  • New testing methods and predictive models to evaluate polymer-modified pavement materials.

This Special Issue provides an opportunity for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to exchange knowledge about recent discoveries, methodologies, and practical applications that enhance our understanding and implementation of polymer materials in pavement engineering. We encourage you to contribute your valuable research to this dynamic and evolving field.

Dr. Weiying Wang
Dr. Ruikang Yang
Dr. Chengwei Xing
Dr. Mingchen Li
Dr. Zhanchuang Han
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymer-modified asphalt
  • polymer-modified asphalt mixture
  • polymer materials in road infrastructure
  • recycled polymer materials
  • sustainable polymer additives
  • environmental performance
  • pavement durability

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 5906 KB  
Article
Fineness-Dependent Rheology and Chemothermal Modification Mechanism of RHB-SBS Composite-Modified Asphalt
by Daming Wang, Xinwen Hong, Yuqi Song, Zixin Zhang, Chunjie Miao, Yewei Zhu, Feng Yang, Xianfeng Gao, Jiubao Wu and Jiaxing Ma
Polymers 2026, 18(4), 495; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18040495 - 16 Feb 2026
Viewed by 567
Abstract
This study investigates the synergistic and fineness-dependent modification of base asphalt using rice husk biochar (RHB) and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS), aiming to achieve the efficient utilization of agro-waste resources while markedly improving the high-temperature performance and durability of green pavement materials and sustainable transportation [...] Read more.
This study investigates the synergistic and fineness-dependent modification of base asphalt using rice husk biochar (RHB) and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS), aiming to achieve the efficient utilization of agro-waste resources while markedly improving the high-temperature performance and durability of green pavement materials and sustainable transportation infrastructure. Through conventional performance tests, rheological measurements, and microstructural analyses, the performance behavior of RHB-SBS composite-modified asphalt and the interaction mechanisms between the modifiers were systematically examined. The results indicate that the fineness of RHB has a significant effect on the performance of the composite-modified asphalt, with 300 mesh identified as the optimal particle size that provides the best balance between high-temperature stiffness, low-temperature ductility, and storage stability. When the RHB fineness is fixed at 300 mesh, increasing the RHB content from 0 to 16 wt% markedly enhances the high-temperature performance of the composite asphalt, while its low-temperature performance slightly decreases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis reveals that the porous structure and large specific surface area of RHB enable it to form a stable spatial network within the asphalt matrix, thereby improving high-temperature stability. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results show that the incorporation of RHB alters the chemical structure of the asphalt and increases the degree of crosslinking, while thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analysis further confirms that the thermal stability of the composite-modified asphalt is significantly enhanced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials for Pavement Applications)
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20 pages, 2327 KB  
Article
Research on a Polyolefin Composite Modifier for High-Temperature and Heavy-Duty Pavement and Performance of Its Modified Asphalt
by Runduo Ding, Xianhe Wang, Wei Wang, Haoran Wang, Huaxin Chen and Yanjun Zhang
Polymers 2026, 18(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010026 - 22 Dec 2025
Viewed by 540
Abstract
To address the challenges of rutting and performance balance in asphalt pavements under high-temperature and heavy-load conditions, a novel polyolefin composite modifier (PCM-H) was developed from waste tire rubber powder, recycled ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), petroleum resin, and polymer [...] Read more.
To address the challenges of rutting and performance balance in asphalt pavements under high-temperature and heavy-load conditions, a novel polyolefin composite modifier (PCM-H) was developed from waste tire rubber powder, recycled ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), petroleum resin, and polymer additives. The chemical characteristics, thermal stability, and compatibility mechanisms of PCM-H were compared with those of two commercial modifiers (PCM-1 and PCM-2) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). PCM-H exhibited superior compatibility and thermal stability. In contrast, PCM-2 tends to crystallize and precipitate within the 180–200 °C range, which is detrimental to the stability of the composite system. At an optimal dosage of 10 wt% in styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) modified asphalt, PCM-H formed a uniform dispersion and, through crosslinking reactions, established a three-dimensional network structure. Subsequently, the performance of composite modified asphalts, prepared with each of the three modifiers at their respective optimal dosages, was evaluated comparatively. Performance evaluations demonstrated that all polyolefin-modified asphalts significantly outperformed the conventional SBS modified asphalt. The PCM-H modified asphalt (PCM-H MA) exhibited the most superior performance, achieving a performance grade (PG) exceeding 94 °C, along with exceptional high-temperature elasticity and creep resistance, superior low-temperature cracking resistance, and enhanced fatigue healing capability. The results indicated that the crosslinked network structure effectively enhances asphalt cohesion, thereby providing a synergistic improvement in both high- and low-temperature performance. This study provides an effective solution and theoretical basis for developing high-performance pavement materials resistant to high temperatures and heavy loads conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials for Pavement Applications)
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16 pages, 1934 KB  
Article
Study on Performance and Structural Optimization of Concrete Bridge Deck Pavement Materials in Hot and Humid Areas
by Qinghua He, Qun Lu, Qiang Zhang, Chuan Xiong and Chengwei Xing
Polymers 2025, 17(22), 3072; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17223072 - 20 Nov 2025
Viewed by 703
Abstract
This paper investigated the durability and structural performance of concrete bridge deck pavements under high temperature and high humidity conditions, focusing on three aspects: mix design, road performance evaluation, and structural optimization design. Through Marshall testing, the surface layer material SMA-13 and the [...] Read more.
This paper investigated the durability and structural performance of concrete bridge deck pavements under high temperature and high humidity conditions, focusing on three aspects: mix design, road performance evaluation, and structural optimization design. Through Marshall testing, the surface layer material SMA-13 and the middle layer material AC-13 were identified as suitable for hot and humid climates. The former exhibited excellent high-temperature stability and resistance to water damage, while the latter possessed good structural density and load-bearing capacity. A combination of high-temperature, low-temperature, water stability, and impermeability tests was used to systematically evaluate the adaptability of the mixture in hot and humid environments. Furthermore, the performance of different interfacial bonding materials was analyzed through interlaminar pull-out and direct shear tests. The results revealed that the incorporation of epoxy resin notably enhanced the interlayer bond strength and overall durability of the pavement system in hot and humid environments. The proposed “SMA-13 + epoxy resin + AC-13” configuration demonstrates promising potential for improving the mechanical performance and service life of concrete bridge deck pavements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials for Pavement Applications)
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17 pages, 4189 KB  
Article
Effect of Fiber Characteristics on Cracking Resistance Properties of Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) Mixture
by Kai Yang, Wenyuan Huang, Mutian Sun, Zhixian Zheng and Hongwei Lin
Polymers 2025, 17(19), 2623; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17192623 - 28 Sep 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1043
Abstract
Cracking is a critical distress that reduces an asphalt pavement’s service life, and fiber reinforcement is an effective strategy to enhance anti-cracking capacity. However, the effects of fiber type, morphology, and length on key cracking modes remain insufficiently understood, limiting rational fiber selection [...] Read more.
Cracking is a critical distress that reduces an asphalt pavement’s service life, and fiber reinforcement is an effective strategy to enhance anti-cracking capacity. However, the effects of fiber type, morphology, and length on key cracking modes remain insufficiently understood, limiting rational fiber selection in practice. This study systematically evaluated the influence of four representative fiber types on the anti-cracking performance of Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) mixture, combining mechanical testing and microstructural analysis. The fibers included lignin fiber (LF); polyester fiber (PF); chopped basalt fiber (CBF) with lengths of 3 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm; and flocculent basalt fiber (FBF). Key mechanical tests assessed specific cracking behaviors: three-point bending (low-temperature cracking), indirect tensile (tensile cracking), pre-cracked semi-circular bending (crack propagation), overlay (reflective cracking), and four-point bending (fatigue resistance) tests. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test characterized fiber morphology and fiber–asphalt interface interactions, revealing microstructural mechanisms underlying performance improvements. The results showed that all fibers improved anti-cracking performance, but their efficacy varied with fiber type, appearance, and length. PF exhibited the best low-temperature cracking resistance, with a 26.8% increase in bending strength and a 16.6% increase in maximum bending strain. For tensile and crack propagation resistance, 6 mm CBF and FBF outperformed the other fibers, with fracture energy increases of up to 53.2% (6 mm CBF) and CTindex improvements of 72.8% (FBF). FBF optimized reflective cracking resistance, increasing the loading cycles by 48.0%, while 6 mm CBF achieved the most significant fatigue life improvement (36.9%) by balancing rigidity and deformation. Additionally, SEM analysis confirmed that effective fiber dispersion and strong fiber–asphalt bonding were critical for enhancing stress transfer and inhibiting crack initiation/propagation. These findings provide quantitative insights into the relationship between fiber characteristics (type, morphology, length) and anti-cracking performance, offering practical guidance for rational fiber selection to improve pavement durability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials for Pavement Applications)
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18 pages, 2365 KB  
Article
The Improvement of Road Performance of Foam Asphalt Cold Recycled Mixture Based on Interface Modification
by Han Zhao, Yuheng Chen, Wenyi Zhou, Yichao Ma, Zhuo Chen and Junyan Yi
Polymers 2025, 17(14), 1927; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17141927 - 13 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1383
Abstract
With the increasing demand for highway maintenance, enhancing the resource utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has become an urgent and widely studied issue. Although foam asphalt cold recycling technology offers significant benefits in terms of resource utilization and energy saving, it still [...] Read more.
With the increasing demand for highway maintenance, enhancing the resource utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has become an urgent and widely studied issue. Although foam asphalt cold recycling technology offers significant benefits in terms of resource utilization and energy saving, it still faces challenges, particularly the poor stability of foam asphalt mixtures. This study focuses on optimizing the performance of foam asphalt recycled mixtures through interface modification, aiming to promote the widespread application of foam asphalt cold recycling technology. Specifically, the research follows these steps: First, the optimal mix ratio of the recycled mixtures was determined based on the fundamental properties of foam asphalt and RAP. Then, zinc oxide, silane coupling agents, and amine anti-stripping agents were introduced to modify the recycled mixtures. At last, a series of tests were conducted to comprehensively evaluate improvements in road performance. The results indicate that the silane coupling agent enhances the low-temperature performance and fatigue. The fracture energy reached 526.71 J/m2. Zinc oxide improves the low-temperature cracking resistance and dry shrinkage performance. Amine anti-stripping agents have minimal impact on the low-temperature performance. The linear shrinkage was reduced by 2.6%. The results of TOPSIS indicated that silane coupling agent modification exhibits superior fatigue resistance and low-temperature performance, achieving the highest comprehensive score of 0.666. Although amine-based anti-stripping agents improve fatigue life, they are not suitable for modifying foamed asphalt mixtures due to their detrimental effects on low-temperature performance and moisture resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials for Pavement Applications)
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Review

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42 pages, 9679 KB  
Review
Recent Research Progress on Polyurethane Solid–Solid Phase Change Materials
by Ziqiang Wang, Jingjing Xiao, Tengkun Yao and Menghao Wang
Polymers 2025, 17(14), 1933; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17141933 - 14 Jul 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3468
Abstract
Research on phase change materials (PCMs) is booming in the context of global energy structure transitions and the challenge of dealing with temperature fluctuations in engineering materials. Polyurethane solid–solid phase change materials (PUSSPCMs) show great potential for thermal energy storage and temperature regulation [...] Read more.
Research on phase change materials (PCMs) is booming in the context of global energy structure transitions and the challenge of dealing with temperature fluctuations in engineering materials. Polyurethane solid–solid phase change materials (PUSSPCMs) show great potential for thermal energy storage and temperature regulation because of their designable molecular structure, no risk of leakage, and high bulk stability. In this paper, the recent research progress on PUSSPCMs is systematically reviewed. Starting from the material system, the core preparation process of the PUSSPCMs was elucidated. At the performance improvement level, related performance studies on PUSSPCMs are systematically summarized, focusing on the introduction of dynamic covalent bonds and a nanofiller composite strategy to enhance the thermophysical properties of the materials. At the application level, innovative studies and thermomodulation advantages of PUSSPCMs in different fields are summarized. Finally, for green development, multifunctionalization, and bottlenecks in the scale-up preparation of PUSSPCMs, future research directions for balancing the performance requirements, conducting multi-scale simulations, and exploring green materials are proposed to provide theoretical references for the development and application of high-performance PUSSPCMs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials for Pavement Applications)
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