Sung-Hyun Eom

Winter road safety is significantly compromised by ice formation, leading to increased vehicular accidents due to reduced friction. Traditional anti-icing strategies, such as chemical deicers, present environmental and structural drawbacks, necessitating innovative solutions. This study evaluates methyl methacrylate (MMA)-based resin composites for anti-icing and skid-resistant applications. These composites are particularly intended for application on asphalt and concrete pavements in urban roads, highways, and other high-traffic areas prone to icing during winter. MMA composites exhibit excellent mechanical properties, including tensile strength of up to 10 MPa and compressive strength of 34 MPa under optimized formulations. These composites are specifically developed for application on asphalt and concrete pavements commonly found in urban roads, highways, and other high-traffic areas, where icing and skid resistance are critical challenges during winter conditions. Anti-icing performance was enhanced by incorporating additives like magnesium chloride hexahydrate, achieving a freezing point reduction to −12.9 °C and a heat of solution of 0.429 kJ/g. Laboratory tests revealed that increasing anti-icing additives reduced ice adhesion and melting time, with a trade-off in compressive strength, which decreased from 30 MPa (unmodified) to 16 MPa at higher additive concentrations. Skid resistance was improved through the addition of high-friction aggregates, ensuring durability under icy and wet conditions. These results highlight MMA composites as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional deicing methods, offering enhanced road safety and reduced environmental impact. Further research is recommended to optimize formulations and validate performance through field trials under varying climatic conditions.