Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber-Modified Resin-Based Microsurfacing: Toughness and Durability

The purpose of this study is to improve the toughness and durability of resin-based microsurfacing. SK70# asphalt, cationic emulsifier, water-based resin polymer system, basalt and limestone aggregates, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers were used as raw materials. Two types of PVA fiber modified resin-based microsurfacings were prepared. The critical bending strain energy density, impact toughness, and tensile fracture energy were tested through toughness tests and the digital image correlation method. Moreover, the toughening effect of PVA fiber on microsurfacing was comprehensively evaluated. The evolution law of PVA fiber modified resin-based microsurfacing properties was investigated based on the composite working condition and accelerated loading wear test. The results show that PVA fiber can effectively improve the toughness and durability of resin-based microsurfacing. Compared to resin-based microsurfacing, when the fiber content is 0.1%, the bending toughness, impact toughness, and tensile toughness of PVA fiber modified resin-based microsurfacing increase by 30%–70%. After undergoing composite aging conditions and seven freeze–thaw cycles, the texture depth of PVA fiber modified resin-based microsurfacing remains between 0.95 and 0.99 mm, with a water permeability coefficient of 0 and a wet wheel wear value of less than 540 g/m2. The retention rate of toughness can reach over 84%, demonstrating excellent durability. After 50,000 wear times, the British Pendulum Number of the PVA fiber modified resin-based microsurfacing remains around 73, with a cumulative wear depth stabilized at 3.5 mm, indicating that it maintains good pavement performance.