Icy roads are a major cause of road accidents during the winter months. Snow and ice on the road too often cause loss of traction, skidding and dangerous accidents with too many lives lost.
To keep the roads safe and passable, additives for asphalt they are used all over the world. The scientists of the Hebei University of Science and Technology in China they have developed one that can make icy roads a thing of the past. Above all, it can prevent all road accidents of this kind.
Goodbye icy roads with “salt” asphalt
The new asphalt additive has been created to prevent the formation of ice and keep the roads completely clear throughout the winter season.
The substance developed by Chinese researchers contains a mixture of silicon dioxide, sodium bicarbonate and blast furnace slag, coated with a polymer solution to form microcapsules. Once mixed with asphalt, these microcapsules work just like salt, continuously melting snow and preventing ice from forming.
What is the difference with other additives?
What distinguishes this "anti-icy road" substance from others available on the market is the absence of chlorides. An important factor, which makes it much less corrosive to steel and other materials used in road construction.
Most of all, however, the durability is surprising: the research team tested the additive in the laboratory and in real conditions, and demonstrated that after the application of the substance, the asphalt will prevent icy roads for at least 8 years.
In summary, the use of this new asphalt additive is an environmentally friendly and low-impact solution to reduce dependence on traditional salts and ensure safety on the roads during winter, and could revolutionize the way we manage snow and ice on the roads, making them safer.
The article presenting the discovery was recently published in the scientific journal ACS Omega, and I link it here.
