Development and Characterization of a High-Performance Polyurethane-Based Colored Pavement Binder Including Calcium Carbonate and Polyethylene Glycol for Improved Thermal and Mechanical Durability

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Velayat University, Iranshahr, Iran

2 Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran

3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Velayat University, Iranshahr, Iran

Abstract

This work presents the development of a high-performance colored polyurethane (PU)-based pavement binder, modified with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000, molecular weight 4000 g·mol⁻¹), designed to simultaneously enhance mechanical strength and thermal regulation performance. A suite of formulations containing varying concentrations of PEG (0–10 wt.%) and CaCO₃ (0–20 wt.%) was synthesized and subjected to a dual-stage curing protocol to ensure full cross-linking. The FTIR and XRD analyses indicated the preservation of the crystalline phases of CaCO₃, the PEG confinement and that PU was successfully crosslinked. The thermal characterization methods (DSC and TGA) showed that PEG imparted a latent heat storage capacity of around 87 J g⁻¹, while CaCO₃ improved thermal stability and increased residual mass during high-temperature exposure. Mechanical testing revealed a notable increase in tensile strength, rising from approximately 1.07 to 3.16 MPa, along with an elongation at break reaching around 276% in the optimized formulations. Measurements of surface temperature under simulated solar exposure showed a reduction of 8–10 °C compared to traditional asphalt. The results demonstrate the synergistic effect of CaCO₃ reinforcement and PEG-induced thermal buffering in an environmentally friendly pavement binder in environmentally friendly pavement binder, thermally adaptable, thereby ensuring long-term structural durability. These findings provide a practical framework for designing climate-adaptive pavement binders with improved long-term durability.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Mechanics of Advanced Composite Structures

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 June 2026

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