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Study on the Disintegration Mechanism of the Asphalt-Aggregate Interface Bonding System Based on Salt-Spray Ions
Ziqing Deng1, Zhikang Yang1, Tengjiang Yu1,2
1School of Hydraulic and Civil Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|June 3, 2026
Summary
Coastal salt spray damages asphalt pavement by invading the asphalt-aggregate interface. Salt ions create cavities, form crystals, and reduce bonding, leading to pavement disintegration and reduced service life.
Area of Science:
- Civil Engineering
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Coastal environments pose unique challenges to asphalt pavement durability due to salt-spray exposure.
- Understanding the salt-spray ion invasion mechanism is crucial for improving pavement longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the disintegration mechanism of asphalt-aggregate interfaces under coastal salt-spray conditions.
- To reveal how salt-spray ions impact asphalt pavement performance.
Main Methods:
- Combined salt-spray ion invasion tests, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.
- Microscopic analysis of asphalt-aggregate interface bonding systems exposed to salt spray.
- MD simulations to model ion diffusion and interaction energies.
Main Results:
- Salt-spray ions invade asphalt, forming intrusion cavities that compromise the asphalt-aggregate bond.
- Increased ion concentration promotes NaCl crystal formation within cavities.
- Ion invasion, competitive adsorption, and reduced interface energy contribute to disintegration.
Conclusions:
- Salt-spray ion invasion is a key factor in coastal asphalt pavement degradation.
- The study provides a mechanistic understanding for enhancing the sustainability of coastal infrastructure.
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