Citation

Nagin HS, Nock TG, Wittenwyler CV. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1958; 184: 1-9.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1958, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A new roadway surface treatment based on thermosetting epoxy resins is becoming of increasing interest to state highway departments. The attributes of this product, which is applied in approximately 1/4-in. Thicknesses, are (1) the simplicity with which it can be applied to concrete and bituminous roadways, (2) its ability to prolong highway life by smoothing out rough and cracked surfaces, (3) its ability to protect substrates from weather and chemicals, and (4) its ability to provide a skid-resistant surface. The development of the coating has included an extensive experimental program involving both laboratory and field testing. The laboratory work consisted mainly of collecting physical data and developing test methods, application methods, and different formulations which would be of enough commerical interest to be included in the field testing program. The field testing program, begun in 1954, has included installations on a heavily-traveled highway in the new york metropolitan area. More than 100 variables in coating application techniques and composition have already been investigated by application in triplicate of test patches which covered more than a mile of highway. Of particular interest during these investigations were such properties as adhesion to concrete and bituminous materials, resistance to weather, de-icing chemicals, and other materials with which roadways may be in contact, and resistance to thermal cycling, and wear resistance. Significant among the properties of the coating is an adhesion to portland cement concrete greater than the cohesive strength of the concrete. A portable tester devised for determining adhesion of the coating shows promise as a tool for determining the strength of surface layers of concrete. The test applications will continue to be observed and tested during the future for the purpose of developing data concerning their durability, but results of tests so far performed on the patches applied indicate that the new epoxy seal coat has great promise for use in critical areas.