materials

Article
Thermal-Insulation Effect and Evaluation Indices of
Asphalt Mixture Mixed with Phase-Change Materials
Biao Ma 1, *, Heting Shi 1 , Jiayun Xu 1 , Kun Wei 1 , Xiaoqing Wang 1 and Yue Xiao 2
1 Key Laboratory for Special Area Highway Engineering of Ministry of Education, Chang’an University,
Xi’an 710064, China; shting@chd.edu.cn (H.S.); xujiayun@chd.edu.cn (J.X.); Weikun@chd.edu.cn (K.W.);
wangxiaoqing716@163.com (X.W.)
2 Hunan Provincial Communications Planning, Survey & Design Institute Co., Ltd., Changsha 410200, China;
leonxiaoy@163.com
* Correspondence: mabiao@chd.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-029-82334646




Received: 9 August 2020; Accepted: 21 August 2020; Published: 24 August 2020


Abstract: Under strong winds and at low temperatures, heat loss of hot-mix asphalt mixtures is likely
to occur, which leads to temperature segregation. Temperature segregation affects the forming quality
and the performance of asphalt pavements. In this study, a phase-change thermal-insulation agent
(PCTIA) was prepared for reducing the temperature dissipation. A cooling simulation experiment was
performed to test the temperature-dissipation process for an ordinary asphalt mixture and the asphalt
mixture mixed with PCTIA (AM-PCTIA). The thermal-insulation effect was analyzed according to
the temperature difference and the thermal-insulation extension time. Moreover, two indices—the
thermal-insulation accumulated time difference value (IATDV) and thermal-insulation accumulated
time difference index (IATDI)—were proposed for evaluating the thermal-insulation ability and
efficiency. The results indicated that the temperature at the center of the AM-PATIA was 4 ◦ C higher
than that for the ordinary asphalt mixture. The insulation time was prolonged by 29.8 min at the
ambient temperature of 15 ◦ C. As the ambient temperature increased, the thermal-insulation effect of
the PCTIA improved.

Keywords: road engineering; asphalt mixture; phase-change thermal-insulation agent; thermal-insulation

effect; evaluation indices

1. Introduction
When a hot-mix asphalt mixture is applied to asphalt pavement, rapid heat loss and temperature
segregation are likely to occur [1,2]. These problems often arise under strong winds and at low
temperatures. Temperature dissipation and segregation have adverse effects on pavement construction.
For instance, the paving temperature cannot satisfy the specifications, and the effective paving and
compaction time is short [3]. These problems cause cracking, looseness, rutting, and other pavement
distresses, which reduce the performance and serviceability of asphalt pavement [4–6]. Studies have
indicated that the service life of asphalt pavement is significantly shortened by temperature segregation;
the serviceability and lifecycle of severely segregated pavement can be reduced by >50% [7].
Therefore, for improving the construction quality of asphalt pavements, the most crucial task is
to reduce the temperature dissipation of the asphalt mixture. Considerable achievements have been
made in reducing the temperature dissipation of the asphalt mixture during pavement construction.
Studies have indicated that the temperature difference between the asphalt mixture and the external
environment can be reduced by adding additives to the asphalt mixture [8,9]. The most commonly
used additive is the warm-mix agent. The addition of warm-mix agent can reduce the construction
temperature of the asphalt mixture by 20–30 ◦ C [10,11]. This can not only extend the effective time

Materials 2020, 13, 3738; doi:10.3390/ma13173738 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials

Materials 2020, 13, 3738 2 of 13

of the asphalt mixture construction but also reduce the short-term aging degree of the asphalt
mixture. Additionally, the temperature separation can be slowed by optimizing the construction
technology [12]. For reducing the transportation time, it is feasible to reduce the distance between
the mixing station and the paving site [13]. After the hot-mix asphalt mixture is transported to the
construction site, a secondary mixing process can be conducted to make the internal temperature
distribution more uniform. Most directly, the temperature dissipation of the asphalt mixture can be
controlled by modifying the asphalt-mixture transport vehicle and increasing its thermal-insulation
effect [14]. The simplest method is to use a canvas and quilt to cover the transport vehicle. Alternatively,
an operation vehicle that integrates mixing, heating, and heat preservation can be used to improve
the insulation effect [15]. The addition of heat oil in vehicles can provide heat energy and avoid the
large-scale cooling of the mixture in the transportation process. Although these methods have a certain
effect in the application of asphalt pavement, some of them cannot be popularized, owing to their
difficulties; thus, the situation of temperature dissipation and segregation remains, especially under
strong winds and at low temperatures.
Phase-change materials (PCMs) play a significant role in regulating the temperature by releasing
or absorbing thermal energy during phase transitions. These materials have a high heat-storage density,
large heat-storage capacity, small volume, good chemical stability, and constant temperature in the
endothermic and exothermic processes [16,17]. Because of their excellent performance, PCMs have a
wide range of application prospects in the field of road engineering [18,19]. Wang [20] and Tan [21]
prepared composite PCMs (CPCMs) and mixed them into asphalt mixtures. The road performance
of the asphalt mixtures mixed with CPCMs satisfied the requirements of specifications. The CPCMs
were effective for reducing the rising and cooling rates of the asphalt mixtures. According to a
comprehensive analysis of relevant studies in various fields, at present, PCMs are mainly used to
adjust the temperature of the pavement in the service stage. However, the application of PCMs in
transportation and construction remains scarce. If the PCMs is used in the construction process of the
hot-mix asphalt mixture and make full use of the latent heat of the PCMs, the temperature dissipation
of the hot-mix asphalt mixture will be alleviated.
In light of the foregoing problems, a phase-change thermal-insulation agent (PCTIA) was
prepared in this study and mixed with an asphalt mixture. An environment chamber was used
to test the temperature changes under the cooling condition. The temperature-dissipation process
between the asphalt mixture mixed with PCTIA (AM-PCTIA) and the ordinary asphalt mixture was
tested at different environmental temperatures. The temperature difference between the two asphalt
mixtures at the same position was examined to analyze the thermal-insulation effect of the PCTIA.
Then, the thermal-insulation extension time was calculated according to the difference between the
times when the two asphalt mixtures decreased to the same temperature. Finally, two indices—the
thermal-insulation accumulated time difference value (IATDV) and thermal-insulation accumulated
time difference index (IATDI)—were proposed for evaluating the thermal-insulation ability and
efficiency. This study provides a valuable reference for solving the problem of temperature dissipation
and segregation during pavement construction in most areas.

2. Materials

2.1. Phase-Change Thermal-Insulation Agent

The PCTIA was custom-made, as shown in Figure 1. It is a white powdery particle. The particle
size of the PCTIA is 0.2–0.3 mm. The PCTIA is a solid-liquid phase change material. Its main properties
are as follows.
Materials 2020, 13, 3738 3 of 13
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Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 12

Figure 1. Phase-change thermal-insulation agent (PCTIA).

Figure 1. Phase-change thermal-insulation agent (PCTIA).
(1) Heat-storage capacity
(1) Heat-storage capacity
(1) Heat-storage capacity
In
In the construction process of
of the asphalt mixture, the
the PCTIA must
must absorb and release the latent
In the
the construction
construction process
process of the
the asphalt
asphalt mixture,
mixture, the PCTIA
PCTIA must absorb
absorb and
and release
release the
the latent
latent
heat energy
heat energy within
within the
the specific
specific temperature
temperature domain.
domain. Moreover,
Moreover, a high
a high phase
phase change
change enthalpy
enthalpy is is
heat energy within the specific temperature domain. Moreover, a high phase change enthalpy is
recommended
recommended for ensuring sufficient latent heat of the PCTIA. The differential scanning calorimetry
recommended for for ensuring
ensuring sufficient
sufficient latent
latent heat
heat of
of the
the PCTIA.
PCTIA. The
The differential
differential scanning
scanning calorimetry
calorimetry
(DSC)
(DSC) curves
curves of
of the
the PCTIA
PCTIA are
are presented
presented in
in Figure
Figure 2.
2.
(DSC) curves of the PCTIA are presented in Figure 2.
2.0
2.0 exothermic process
1.5 exothermic process
endothermic process
endothermic process
/(mW/mg)

1.5
/(mW/mg)

1.0 area: 92.4 J/g

1.0 area: 92.4 J/g
termination point:
0.5 starting point:
work

termination
135.5 °Cpoint:
0.5 starting
148.5 point:
°C
work

135.5 °C
148.5 °C
compensation

0.0
compensation

0.0
-0.5
-0.5 starting point: 158.4 °C termination point:
-1.0 starting point: 158.4 °C termination
175.1 °Cpoint:
HotHot

-1.0 175.1 °C
area: -93.6 J/g
-1.5 area: -93.6 J/g
-1.5
50 100 150 200 250
50 100 150
Temperature (°C) 200 250
Temperature (°C)
Figure 2. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results for the PCTIA.
Figure 2. Differential
Figure 2. Differential scanning
scanning calorimetry
calorimetry (DSC)
(DSC) results
resultsfor
forthe
thePCTIA.
PCTIA.
As shown
As shown in Figure
Figure 2, in
in the temperature
temperature range of of 50–250 ◦°C, there waswas only one one endothermic
As shown in in Figure 2,2, inthe
the temperature range range of50–250
50–250 °C, C, there
there wasonly only oneendothermic
endothermic
peak during
peak during the endothermic
endothermic process of the PCTIA,
PCTIA, and there there was one one exothermic peak peak during the the
peak during the the endothermic processprocess of of the
the PCTIA, and and there was was oneexothermic
exothermic peak during during the
cooling
cooling process. Clearly, the PCTIA only underwent one phase change in both the endothermic and
cooling process.
process. Clearly,
Clearly, the
the PCTIA
PCTIA onlyonly underwent
underwent one one phase
phase change
change in in both
both thethe endothermic
endothermic and and
exothermic
exothermic processes
processes within
within the
the temperature
temperature range.
range. According
According to
to the
the DSC
DSC curves,
curves, the
the enthalpy
enthalpy value
value
exothermic processes within the temperature range. According to the DSC curves, the enthalpy value
of the
of the PCTIAininthe theendothermic
endothermic process was93.693.6
J/g,J/g,
andand the phase-change temperature ranged
of thePCTIA
PCTIA in the endothermic process
processwas was 93.6 J/g, the phase-change
and the phase-change temperature ranged
temperature from
ranged
from
158.4 158.4
to to
175.1 175.1 °C. This is consistent with the asphalt-mixture discharge temperature
◦ C. This is consistent with the asphalt-mixture discharge temperature of 140–180 ◦ C of 140–180
from 158.4 to 175.1 °C. This is consistent with the asphalt-mixture discharge temperature of 140–180
°C specified
specified inTechnical
in the the Technical Specification
Specification for Highway
for Highway AsphaltAsphalt
Pavement Pavement Construction
Construction (JTG F40-
(JTG F40-2004)
°C specified in the Technical Specification for Highway Asphalt Pavement Construction (JTG [22].
F40-
2004)
The [22].
enthalpy The
valueenthalpy
in the value
exothermic in the exothermic
process was 92.4 process
J/g, and was
the 92.4 J/g, and
phase-transition the phase-transition
temperature ranged
2004) [22]. The enthalpy value in the exothermic process was 92.4 J/g, and the phase-transition
temperature
from 135.5 to ranged
148.5 ◦ from
This135.5 to the
148.5 °C. This satisfies theTechnical
recommendation of the
for Technical
temperature rangedC.from satisfies
135.5 recommendation
to 148.5 °C. This satisfies of the Specification
the recommendation of the Highway
Technical
Specification
Asphalt Pavementfor Highway
Construction Asphalt
(JTG Pavement that
F40-2004) Construction
the asphalt (JTG F40-2004)
compaction that temperature
starting the asphalt
Specification for Highway Asphalt Pavement Construction (JTG F40-2004) that the asphalt
compaction
should be nostarting temperature
lower than should be itnocan
135 ◦ C. Therefore, lower than 135that
be inferred °C. Therefore, it can be inferred that
compaction starting temperature should be no lower than 135 °C.the PCTIA can
Therefore, release
it can latent heat
be inferred that
the PCTIA
during the can release latent
construction of theheat during
asphalt the construction
mixture, thereby of the asphalt
reducing the mixture, thereby
temperature reducing
dissipation and
the PCTIA can release latent heat during the construction of the asphalt mixture, thereby reducing
the temperature
providing thermal dissipation
insulationand providing
to the asphalt thermal
mixture. insulation to the asphalt mixture.
the temperature dissipation and providing thermal insulation to the asphalt mixture.
(2) Heat stability
(2) Heat stability
The construction temperature of the hot-mix asphalt mixture was relatively high. The PCTIA
The construction temperature of the hot-mix asphalt mixture was relatively high. The PCTIA
mixed into the mixture endured a very high temperature. For example, the mixing temperature of
mixed into the mixture endured a very high temperature. For example, the mixing temperature of
the hot-mix asphalt mixture is about 170–180 °C. If the PCTIA underwent serious mass loss under
the hot-mix asphalt mixture is about 170–180 °C. If the PCTIA underwent serious mass loss under
Materials 2020, 13, 3738 4 of 13

(2) Heat stability

The construction temperature of the hot-mix asphalt mixture was relatively high. The PCTIA
mixed 2020,
Materials into 13,
thex FOR
mixture
PEER endured
REVIEW a very high temperature. For example, the mixing temperature 4 of 12
◦
of the hot-mix asphalt mixture is about 170–180 C. If the PCTIA underwent serious mass loss
high-temperature conditions,
under high-temperature the phase-change
conditions, latent heat
the phase-change washeat
latent insufficient, reducing reducing
was insufficient, the thermal-
the
insulation effect. Therefore,
thermal-insulation a thermogravimetric
effect. Therefore, analysis was
a thermogravimetric performed
analysis to analyze
was performed tothe heat stability
analyze the heat
of the PCTIA.
stability of theThe thermogravimetric
PCTIA. curve is presented
The thermogravimetric in Figurein3.Figure 3.
curve is presented

-2.5
100

90 (330.34, -2.351,
mass loss 5% -2.0
49.12 )
298.2 °C
80
Mass percentage (%)

Mass loss rate

-1.5
70 quality change：
-66.15%
mass percentage
60 -1.0
mass loss rate

50 (342.92, -0.04, -0.5

(273.58, -0.035, 99.99) 35.36)
40
0.0
30
100 200 300 400 500 600
Temperature (°C)

Figure 3. Thermogravimetric curve of the PCTIA.

Figure 3. Thermogravimetric curve of the PCTIA.
As shown in Figure 3, there was a small mass loss of the PCTIA at 273.58 ◦ C. The temperature
As
was 298.2 shown in Figure
◦ C when 3, there
the mass loss was
of the a small
PCTIA mass loss of
reached 5%,the PCTIA
which was atsignificantly
273.58 °C. The temperature
higher than the
was 298.2 °C when the mass loss of the PCTIA reached 5%, which was significantly
upper limit of the construction temperature. Apparently, the mass loss of the PCTIA was concentrated higher than the
upper limit of the
◦ construction temperature. Apparently, the mass loss
at 273.58–342.92 C. Although the mass loss rate was the highest in this temperature range, it had no of the PCTIA was
concentrated at 273.58–342.92
effect on the application in the°C. Although
asphalt the mass
pavement. Theloss rateindicate
results was thethathighest in this has
the PCTIA temperature
sufficient
range, it had no effect on the application in the
heat stability to be used in asphalt pavement construction. asphalt pavement. The results indicate that the PCTIA
has sufficient heat stability to be used in asphalt pavement construction.
(3) Heat conductivity
(3) Heat coefficient
conductivity coefficient
The heatconductivity
The heat conductivity coefficient
coefficient is a physical
is a physical quantityquantity thatthe
that reflects reflects
capacity theof capacity of heat
heat transmission.
transmission. The PCTIA mixed into the hot-mix asphalt mixture was mostly
The PCTIA mixed into the hot-mix asphalt mixture was mostly wrapped in asphalt or in contact with wrapped in asphalt or
in
thecontact withThe
aggregate. the main
aggregate. The main heat-absorption
heat-absorption route was heat
route was heat conduction. conduction.
The capacity Thetransmission
of heat capacity of
heat
was determined by measuring the heat conductivity coefficient of the PCTIA. In this study, PCTIA.
transmission was determined by measuring the heat conductivity coefficient of the a Hot DiskIn
this study, a Hot Disk (TPS 2500) Heat Conductivity Instrument was used to test
(TPS 2500) Heat Conductivity Instrument was used to test the heat conductivity coefficient of the PCTIA the heat conductivity
coefficient
at 170, 140,of65,the20,
PCTIA at 170,
and −40 ◦ C. 140,
The 65, 20, and −40
temperature °C. The
range thattemperature
can be testedrange of thethat
HeatcanConductivity
be tested of
the Heat Conductivity Instrument ◦ is from −243 to 1000 °C, and the heat conductivity
Instrument is from −243 to 1000 C, and the heat conductivity coefficient range is 0.005–1800 W/(m·K). coefficient range
is 0.005–1800 W/(m·K). The results for the heat conductivity
The results for the heat conductivity coefficient are presented in Table 1. coefficient are presented in Table 1.

Table
Table 1.
1. Heat
Heatconductivity
conductivitycoefficients
coefficients of
of the
the PCTIA
PCTIA at
at different
different temperatures.
temperatures.
Temperatures
Temperatures (◦(°C)
C) –40
−40 20 20 65 65 140
140 170
170
0.6005 0.5648
Heat conductivity
Heat conductivity
0.5694 0.5765 0.5852 0.6005
(endothermic 0.5648
(exothermic 0.5441
coefficient
coefficient (W/(m·K)) 0.5694 0.5765 0.5852 (endothermic process) 0.5441
(exothermic process)
(W/(m·K)) process) process)

As shown in Table 1, the maximum heat conductivity coefficient of the PCTIA in the test
As shown in Table 1, the maximum heat conductivity coefficient of the PCTIA in the test
temperature range was 0.6005 W/(m·K). The thermal conductivity coefficient at 170 °C was lower
temperature range was 0.6005 W/(m·K). The thermal conductivity coefficient at 170 ◦ C was lower than
than that at ◦−40 °C after the phase change of the PCTIA.
that at −40 C after the phase change of the PCTIA.

2.2. Asphalt Mixture

To investigate the effect of the PCTIA on the temperature dissipation during the transportation
and pavement of the hot-mix asphalt mixture, 70# asphalt was used in this study. Coarse aggregate
and mechanism sand were adopted as the coarse and fine aggregates, respectively. The filler was
clean and dry limestone powder, which was ground and exhibited no caking. The composition of the
Materials 2020, 13, 3738 5 of 13

2.2. Asphalt Mixture

To investigate the effect of the PCTIA on the temperature dissipation during the transportation
and pavement of the hot-mix asphalt mixture, 70# asphalt was used in this study. Coarse aggregate
and mechanism sand were adopted as the coarse and fine aggregates, respectively. The filler was
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 12
clean and dry limestone powder, which was ground and exhibited no caking. The composition of the
aggregate mixture used in this study is presented in Table 2. The asphalt and PCTIA contents were
4.84 and 2.5 wt % of the aggregate mass, respectively. The optimal contents of the PCTIA and the
4.84 and 2.5 wt % of the aggregate mass, respectively. The optimal contents of the PCTIA and the
asphalt are determined by Marshall design method and road performance test results.
asphalt are determined by Marshall design method and road performance test results.
Table 2. Composition of the aggregate mixture.
Table 2. Composition of the aggregate mixture.
Sieve Size/mm 16 13.2 9.5 4.75 2.36 1.18 0.6 0.3 0.15 0.075
Sieve Size/mm 16 13.2 9.5 4.75 2.36 1.18 0.6 0.3 0.15 0.075
Passing rate/% 100.0 96.0 76.5 53.0 37.0 26.5 19.0 13.5 10.0 6.0
Passing rate/% 100.0 96.0 76.5 53.0 37.0 26.5 19.0 13.5 10.0 6.0
3. Experimental Method
3. Experimental Method
To examine the temperature dissipation of the hot-mix asphalt mixture mixed with PCTIA and
To examine
without PCTIA in the temperature
different dissipation
environments, theoftest
thewashot-mix asphalt
performed inmixture mixed withtest
an environmental PCTIA and
chamber.
without PCTIA in different environments, the test was performed in an environmental
The temperature range was −40 to 150 °C, and the temperature fluctuation was <0.5 °C. For brevity, test chamber.
The temperature range was −40 to 150 ◦ C, and the temperature fluctuation was <0.5 ◦ C. For brevity,
the asphalt mixture without PCTIA is referred to as the “ordinary asphalt mixture” hereinafter.
the asphalt mixture
First, 10 without PCTIA
kg AM-PCTIA is referred
and ordinary to as the
asphalt “ordinary
mixture asphalt
samples weremixture” hereinafter.
taken after being mixed
homogeneously and placed into the same containers in a loose state. All types of vibrationmixed
First, 10 kg AM-PCTIA and ordinary asphalt mixture samples were taken after being were
homogeneously
avoided after the andmixture
placed into was the sameinto
loaded containers in a loose
the container. state.platinum
Pt100 All typesthermal
of vibration were
resistance
avoided after sensors
temperature the mixture
were was loaded into
embedded the center
in the container.andPt100 platinum
the edge of thethermal
asphaltresistance temperature
mixture, respectively.
sensors
The working temperature range of the temperature sensors is −200 to 850 °C; the accuracy is working
were embedded in the center and the edge of the asphalt mixture, respectively. The ±0.15 °C.
temperature rangeofofthe
thesensors
temperature sensors is −200 ◦ C; the accuracy is ±0.15 ◦ C. The buried
The buried depth remained at half of thetototal
850 depth to the greatest extent possible. The
depth of the sensors
temperature sensor remained
at the edge at did
half not
of the total depth
contact to thewall.
the vessel greatest
The extent possible.
temperature The temperature
changes of the two
sensor
samples at were
the edge did not in
monitored contact the vessel
real time by thewall. The temperature
temperature sensors, andchanges of the two samples
a corresponding schematicwereis
monitored
presented in inFigure
real time
4. Tobyavoid
the temperature sensors,dissipation
severe temperature and a corresponding schematic
in the test process, is presented
the asphalt in
mixture
Figure
embedded4. Towith
avoid severewas
sensors temperature
placed indissipation
the environmentin the test process,
chamber the asphalt
as quickly mixture embedded
as possible. Gaps were
with sensors was
left between placed in the
the specimens. Theenvironment
environment chamber
chamber as quickly as possible.
was adjusted Gaps were
and stabilized to left
the between
required
the specimens.
temperature The before
range environment chamber was
the experiment. Fouradjusted
ambientand stabilized to the5,required
temperatures—0, 10, and 15temperature
°C—were
range before the experiment. Four ambient temperatures—0, 5, 10, and 15The◦ C—were selected to study
selected to study the temperature-dissipation process of the AM-PCTIA. temperatures of the two
the temperature-dissipation
samples decreased from 170process to 80 °C.of the AM-PCTIA. The temperatures of the two samples decreased
from 170 to 80 ◦ C.

Figure 4. Layout of the temperature sensors.

Figure 4. Layout of the temperature sensors.
4. Results and Analysis

4. Results
4.1. and Analysis Process
Temperature-Dissipation
The simulation results Process
4.1. Temperature-Dissipation for the temperature-dissipation process of the ordinary asphalt mixture
and the AM-PCTIA at different ambient temperatures are presented in Figure 5.
The simulation results for the temperature-dissipation process of the ordinary asphalt mixture
and the AM-PCTIA at different ambient temperatures are presented in Figure 5.
Materials 2020, 13, 3738 6 of 13
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 12

180 180
center of AM-PCTIA
170 center of the ordinary asphalt mixture center of AM-PCTIA
170
edge of AM-PCTIA center of the ordinary asphalt mixture
160 160 edge of AM-PCTIA
edge of the ordinary asphalt mixture
150 150
edge of the ordinary asphalt mixture
Temperature /°C

Temperature /°C
140 140
130 130
120 120
110 110
100 100
90 90
80 80
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000
Time /s Time /s

(a) (b)
180
center of AM-PCTIA 180
170
center of the ordinary asphalt mixture 170
center of AM-PCTIA
160 edge of AM-PCTIA center of the ordinary asphalt mixture
edge of the ordinary asphalt mixture 160 edge of AM-PCTIA
150
150 edge of the ordinary asphalt mixture
Temperature /°C

140
Temperature /°C

140
130
130
120
120
110
110
100
100
90 90
80 80
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
Time /s Time /s

(c) (d)
Figure
Figure 5.5. Temperature
Temperature change
change curves
curves of
of the
the two
two samples
samples at
at different
different ambient
ambient temperatures:
temperatures: (a) ◦ C;
(a) 00 °C;
(b) ◦
(b) 5 °C;
C; (c)
(c) 10 ◦
10 °C;
C; (d)
(d) 15 ◦
15 °C.
C.

As shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 5, 5, during
during the the temperature
temperature decrease
decrease ofof the
the two
two samples
samples from
from 170170 to
to 80 ◦ C,
80 °C,
As
the temperatures
the temperaturesatatthe thecenter
center andandedge of the
edge of two samples
the two gradually
samples decreased
gradually over time.
decreased overThe cooling
time. The
rate decreased
cooling with a decrease
rate decreased in the sample
with a decrease temperature.
in the sample The cooling
temperature. rate of the
The cooling rateordinary asphalt
of the ordinary
mixturemixture
asphalt was higher
was than
higherthat of the
than thatAM-PCTIA at the same
of the AM-PCTIA at theposition, indicating
same position, that thethat
indicating AM-PCTIA
the AM-
had thehad
PCTIA function of thermal
the function insulation.
of thermal At different
insulation. ambient
At different temperatures,
ambient the temperature
temperatures, the temperature at the
at
center
the waswas
center higher thanthan
higher thatthat
at the
at edge for both
the edge samples,
for both and and
samples, the cooling ratesrates
the cooling at theatcenters of both
the centers of
samples
both were were
samples relatively low. This
relatively low.isThis
because the ambient
is because temperatures
the ambient were lower
temperatures werethan
lower thethan
mixture
the
temperature,
mixture and the and
temperature, mixture at the edge
the mixture exchanged
at the heat with
edge exchanged thewith
heat external environment
the external rapidly
environment
throughthrough
rapidly the container wall directly.
the container In comparison,
wall directly. the asphalt
In comparison, themixture
asphalt at the center
mixture was
at the far from
center was the
far
edge; thus, the heat transfer was relatively slow.
from the edge; thus, the heat transfer was relatively slow.
According to
According to the
the cooling
cooling curves
curves of the AM-PCTIA, the temperature-dissipation
temperature-dissipation process process waswas
divided into
divided into the following three stages.

(1) In
Inthe
thefirst
firststage,
stage, the
the overall
overall temperature
temperature of of the
the mixture
mixture was
was higher
higher than
than the
the initial
initial exothermic
exothermic
temperature
temperatureof ofPCTIA
PCTIA(148.5 ◦
(148.5°C). C).Therefore,
Therefore,thethePCTIA
PCTIA did
did not
notundergo
undergo aa phase
phase transformation
transformation
and
andreleased
releasedheat
heatin inthe
theform
formof ofsensible
sensible heat.
heat.
(2)
(2) In
In the
the second
second stage,
stage, with
with aa reduction
reduction in in the
the overall
overall temperature
temperature of of the
the mixture,
mixture, thethe PCTIA
PCTIA
underwent
underwentaaphase phasechange
changeand
andreleased
releasedaa large
large amount
amount of
of latent
latent heat,
heat, which
which provided
provided thermal
thermal
insulation to the mixture. The cooling rate of the mixture decreased significantly; thus, there
were small platforms in the curve.
 Materials 2020, 13, 3738 7 of 13

Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 12

insulation to the mixture. The cooling rate of the mixture decreased significantly; thus, there were
(3) Insmall
the third stage, in
platforms thethe
latent heat of the PCTIA was completely released, and the heat energy was
curve.
(3) In the third stage, the latent heat ofheat.
released in the form of sensible As the
the PCTIA wastemperature of the samples
completely released, decreased,
and the heat energy the
was
temperature difference
released in the and the cooling
form of sensible heat. Asrate
the between the samples
temperature and the
of the samples environment
decreased, gradually
the temperature
decreased.
difference and the cooling rate between the samples and the environment gradually decreased.

4.2.
4.2.Temperature
TemperatureDifference
Difference
The
Thetemperature
temperaturedifferences
differencesbetween
betweenthe
thecenters
centersof
ofthe
theAM-PCTIA
AM-PCTIAand
andthe
theordinary
ordinaryasphalt
asphalt
mixture
mixtureatatdifferent
differentambient
ambienttemperatures
temperaturesare
are presented
presented in
in Figure
Figure 6.
6.

10 10

9 9

8 8
Temperature difference /°C

Temperature difference /°C

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3
ambient temperature: 0 °C 3 ambient temperature: 0 °C
ambient temperature: 5 °C ambient temperature: 5 °C
2 2
ambient temperature: 10 °C ambient temperature: 10 °C
1
ambient temperature: 15 °C 1 ambient temperature: 15 °C
0 0
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80
Time /s Temperature of the mixture /°C

(a) (b)
Figure
Figure6.6.Variation
Variationofofthe
thetemperature
temperaturedifference
differencebetween
betweenthe
thecenters
centersofofthe
thetwo
twosamples
samplesatatdifferent
different
ambient
ambienttemperatures:
temperatures:(a) (a)relationship
relationshipbetween
betweentemperature
temperaturedifference
differenceandandtime;
time;(b)
(b)relationship
relationship
between
betweentemperature
temperaturedifference
differenceand
andtemperature.
temperature.

AsAsshown
shownininFigureFigure6a,6a,the
thetemperature
temperaturedifference
differenceincreased
increasedover overtime
timeininthetheperiod
periodofof0–2500
0–2500s.s.
After2500
2500s,s,thethetemperature
temperaturedifference
differenceatat1010and and1515°C C ◦ tended
After tended totobebe stable,
stable, whereas
whereas that
that at 0atand
0 and5
°C5 ◦tended
C tended to decrease.
to decrease. At the
At the ambient
ambient temperature
temperature of 15 15 ◦the
of °C, C, the maximum
maximum temperature
temperature difference
difference of
of the
the mixture
mixture waswas °C,◦ C,
9.1 9.1 whereas
whereas it was
it was 5.65.6 ◦ C, indicating that the maximum temperature
at at0 0°C, indicating that the maximum temperature
differenceincreased
difference increasedwith withthetheambient
ambienttemperature.
temperature.This Thisisisbecause
becausewhen whenthe theheat-transfer
heat-transferrate rateofofthe
the
mixturedecreased
mixture decreasedas asthe
theambient
ambienttemperature
temperatureincreased,
increased,the thelatent
latentheat
heateffect
effectofofthe
thePCTIA
PCTIAbecamebecame
moreobvious.
obvious.When Whenthe thetemperature
temperatureofofthe theordinary
ordinaryasphalt
asphaltmixture
mixturereached
reached80 ◦ C, the temperature
80°C,
more the temperature
differencebetween
difference betweeneach eachvalue
valueof ofambient
ambienttemperature
temperaturewas was>4 >4°C,C,confirming
◦ confirmingthat thatthe
theeffect
effectofofthethe
PCTIAon
PCTIA onthethetemperature
temperature was
was significant.
significant. As Asshown shown in Figure
in Figure 6b, when
6b, when the temperature
the temperature of the of AM-the
AM-PCTIA
PCTIA at different
at different environmental
environmental temperatures
temperatures was >145was >145°C, the◦ C, the temperature difference between
temperature difference between the
the two samples increased rapidly. At the ambient temperatures ◦ C, the final
two samples increased rapidly. At the ambient temperatures of of0, 0,
5, 5,
10,10,and
and1515°C, the final
temperatures in
temperatures in the
the rapidly increasing
increasingtemperature
temperaturedifference
differencesection section ofof
thethe
samples
samples were 142,142,
were 143,143,
140,
andand146146◦ C,°C,
respectively; thus, thethetemperatures were still in in
thethephase-change temperature range
140, respectively; thus, temperatures were still phase-change temperature rangein
inthe
theexothermic
exothermic stage.
stage.
To further analyze
To further analyzethethe foregoing
foregoing phenomena,
phenomena, the reasons
the reasons for the
for the rapid rapidinincrease
increase in the
the temperature
temperature
difference indifference
the initialin the initial
period of the period
mixture of the mixture
cooling were cooling wereasidentified
identified follows. as (1)follows. (1) The
The addition of
addition of PCTIA
PCTIA reduced thereduced the heat conductivity
heat conductivity of the asphaltofmixture. the asphalt mixture.
According According
to previous to previous
studies [23–25],
studies
the heat[23–25], the heat
conductivity conductivity
coefficients coefficients
of most ordinaryof most ordinary
asphalt mixtures asphalt
are in the mixtures
range ofare in the
1.5–2.5 range
W/(m·K).
ofOn1.5–2.5 W/(m·K).
the basis On the2basis
of Section of Section
of this paper, 2the of maximum
this paper, heat the maximum
conductivity heatof conductivity
the material of the
was
material was 0.61
0.61 W/(m·K), W/(m·K),
which was which
far lowerwasthan far lower
the heat thanconductivity
the heat conductivity of the ordinary
of the ordinary asphalt asphalt
mixture.
mixture.
Therefore, Therefore, the temperature
the temperature dissipationdissipation
of the mixture of the
slowed mixture
withslowed with of
the addition thetheaddition
PCTIA. of (2) the
The
PCTIA.
AM-PCTIA (2) ThenearAM-PCTIA near the edge
the edge underwent a phaseunderwent
transitiona and phase transition
released and released
the latent heat soonerthe latent
than thatheatat
sooner thanAdditionally,
the center. that at the center. Additionally,
it provided heat energy it provided heat energy
to the surrounding to thereducing
mixture, surrounding mixture,
the cooling rate
reducing the cooling rate of the mixture at the center and resulting in a large temperature difference
between the samples. (3) The PCTIA at the center released the latent heat gradually with the
Materials 2020, 13, 3738 8 of 13

Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 12

of the mixture at the center and resulting in a large temperature difference between the samples. (3) The
decreasing
PCTIA temperature,
at the which
center released the reduced thegradually
latent heat temperature
withdissipation of the
the decreasing mixture andwhich
temperature, increased the
reduced
temperature
the temperaturedifference.
dissipation of the mixture and increased the temperature difference.

4.3. Thermal-Insulation Extension

4.3. Thermal-Insulation Extension Time
Time
At
At the
the same
same position
position and
and ambient
ambient temperature,
temperature, the
the difference
difference between
between the
the times
times taken
taken for
for the
the
AM-PCTIA
AM-PCTIA andand the
the ordinary
ordinary asphalt
asphalt mixture
mixture to
to decrease
decrease to
to the
the same
same temperature
temperature was
was defined
defined as
as the
the
extended
extended thermal-insulation
thermal-insulation time,
time, and
and it
it is
is shown
shown in
in Figure
Figure 7.7.

500
ambient temperature: 0 °C 1800
ambient temperature: 5 °C ambient temperature: 0 °C
ambient temperature: 10 °C 1600 ambient temperature: 5 °C
400
ambient temperature: 15° C ambient temperature: 10 °C
1400
ambient temperature: 15 °C
300 1200

Time /s
Time /s

1000

200 800

600
100 400

200
0
0
170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80
Temperature of the mixture /°C Temperature of the mixture /°C

(a) (b)
Figure 7.
Figure 7. Change
Change in the thermal-insulation
in the thermal-insulation extension
extension time
time during
during the cooling processes
the cooling processes of
of the
the two
two
samples: (a)
samples: (a) edge;
edge; (b)
(b) center.
center.

As shown in Figure 7, with an increase in the the ambient

ambient temperature, it took longer for the two
samples to decrease to the samesame temperature
temperature atat the
the same
same position.
position. This is because the total amount
amount
of phase-change latent heat in the asphalt mixture remained unchanged, and the release rate of the
phase-change latent
phase-change latent heat
heat decreased
decreased with
with the
the increasing
increasing ambient
ambient temperature.
temperature. The
The mixture
mixture at the edge
exchanged heat with the external environment first, and the rate of heat loss was higher here than
that at the center; thus, the thermal-insulation extension time at the edge was significantly lower than
that at the center.
center. To analyze
analyze the
the time
time difference
difference between
between the
the two
two samples
samples at
at the
the same
same temperature
temperature
under different ambient temperatures more distinctly, temperatures of 160, 140, 120, 100, and 80 ◦°C C
were selected.
were selected. Then, the time differences corresponding to five temperatures between the AM-PCTIA
and the ordinary asphalt mixture under different
different ambient
ambient temperatures
temperatures were
were calculated.
calculated. The results
presented in
are presented in Table
Table 3.3.

Table 3. Time difference

difference corresponding
corresponding to
to five
five temperatures.
temperatures.

TimeTime Difference/s
Difference/s
Environmental Temperature
Environmental Temperature Position
Position
160
160 ◦ C°C 140140
◦ C °C 120 100
120 ◦ C °C ◦ C 100
80°C
◦C 80 °C
Edge
Edge −3
–3 −9
–9 0
0 30 30
105
105
0 °C 0 ◦ C
Center
Center 135
135 300 300 327 327 351 351
375 375
Edge
Edge 1515 63 63 138 138 213 213
342 342
5 °C 5 ◦ C
Center
Center 215
215 440 440 463 463 540 540
477 477
Edge
Edge 3636 87 87 180 180 294 294
408 408
10 °C10 ◦ C
Center
Center 156
156 553 553 638 638 734 734
865 865
Edge
Edge 7878 255 255 366 366 411 411
447 447
15 °C15 ◦ C
Center
Center 223
223 872 872 1114 11141410 1410
1792 1792

As indicated by Figure 7 and Table 3, when the temperatures at the edges of the two samples
decreased from 170 to 160, 120, and 80 °C, the maximum time differences were 78, 366, and 447 s,
respectively. When the temperature decreased from 170 °C to the different temperatures, the
maximum time difference at the center was three times or more that at the edge. Consider the ambient
Materials 2020, 13, 3738 9 of 13

As indicated by Figure 7 and Table 3, when the temperatures at the edges of the two samples
decreased
Materials 2020,from 170 PEER
13, x FOR to 160, and 80 ◦ C, the maximum time differences were 78, 366, and 9447
120,
REVIEW s,
of 12
◦
respectively. When the temperature decreased from 170 C to the different temperatures, the maximum
temperature
time difference of at
15the
°Ccenter
as an was
example: it tookor1792
three times mores that
longer (four
at the times
edge. longer)the
Consider forambient
the temperature
temperature at
the center
of 15 ◦ C asofan
theexample:
AM-PCTIA to decease
it took 1792 s to 80 °C(four
longer than that at longer)
times the edgefor
of the
the temperature
ordinary asphaltat themixture.
center
Clearly, the PCTIA played a significant
◦ role in reducing the temperature dissipation
of the AM-PCTIA to decease to 80 C than that at the edge of the ordinary asphalt mixture. Clearly, of the asphalt
mixture,
the PCTIA which
playedensured that therole
a significant temperature
in reducing requirement of the asphalt
the temperature mixture
dissipation wasasphalt
of the satisfied at the
mixture,
beginning
which ensured of the
thatrolling. Additionally,
the temperature the extension
requirement of the
of the asphalt thermal-insulation
mixture was satisfied attime provided
the beginning
sufficient time for the transportation and rolling of the pavement.
of the rolling. Additionally, the extension of the thermal-insulation time provided sufficient time for
the transportation and rolling of the pavement.
4.4. Evaluation Indices of Thermal-Insulation Effect
4.4. Evaluation Indices
The objective of Thermal-Insulation
of this Effect the comprehensive thermal-insulation effect of the
study was to investigate
PCTIA Theonobjective
the asphalt
of thismixture.
study wasIn atoprevious
investigate work
the [26], it was proposed
comprehensive that the latent
thermal-insulation heat
effect of
accumulation
the PCTIA onvalue and latent
the asphalt heat In
mixture. regulation
a previous index
workcould
[26],beit used as evaluation
was proposed that indices
the latentforheat
the
thermoregulation
accumulation value effect
andoflatent
PCMs.heatOn the basis of index
regulation these two
couldindices,
be usedaccording to the requirements
as evaluation indices for theof
the paving and rolling
thermoregulation effecttimes of theOn
of PCMs. mixture
the basisin the construction
of these process,
two indices, the IATDV
according to theand IATDI were
requirements of
proposed. These two indices take into account not only the latent heat in phase
the paving and rolling times of the mixture in the construction process, the IATDV and IATDI were transition on the
thermal
proposed.insulation
These two effect, but
indices also
take theaccount
into influence of sensible
not only heat
the latent oninthe
heat temperature
phase transition of
on the asphalt
the thermal
mixture.
insulation effect, but also the influence of sensible heat on the temperature of the asphalt mixture.
Similar tothe
Similar to thecalculation
calculation method
method for for the latent
the latent heat accumulation
heat accumulation value proposed
value proposed by our
by our research
research
group in group
the earlyin stage
the early stage of
of research research
[26], the IATDV[26], was
the IATDV
determinedwas bydetermined
calculatingbythecalculating
integrationtheof
integration of the within
the time difference time difference withinrange
the temperature the oftemperature range thermal
the phase-change of the phase-change thermal
insulation, as indicated
insulation, as indicated
by the shadow by the8.shadow area in Figure 8.
area in Figure

T1 AM-PCTIA
ordinary asphalt mixture
Tempeature /°C

T2

t1 t2
Time /s

Figure 8. Cooling processes of the two samples.

Figure 8. Cooling processes of the two samples.
The calculation formula for the IATDV is as follows:
The calculation formula for the IATDV is as follows:
Z T2 X
f T -y(T) dT ≈ ∑ ∆Ti∆T
×∆ti i× ∆ti
IATDV = Tf2 (T ) − y(T ) dT ≈ (1)
IATDV= (1)
T1 T1

where
where ff(T) represents the
(T) represents thefunction
functionofofthe
thetemperature–time
temperature–time relationship
relationship curve
curve for for
the the AM-PCTIA,
AM-PCTIA, y(T)
y(T) represents the function of the temperature–time relationship curve for the ordinary
represents the function of the temperature–time relationship curve for the ordinary asphalt mixture; asphalt
mixture; T represents
T represents the temperature
the temperature (°C) of mixture;
(◦ C) of the asphalt the asphalt
T2 represents T2 represents
mixture; the the initial
initial temperature of
temperature of the mixture; T 1 represents the terminal temperature of the mixture; t represents the
the mixture; T1 represents the terminal temperature of the mixture; t represents the testing time
testing time (s); t1 represents
(s); t1 represents the testingthe
timetesting time
of the of the ordinary
ordinary asphalt asphalt
mixture;mixture; t2 represents
t2 represents the testing
the testing time
time of the AM-PCTIA; and ΔTi and Δti represent the temperature and time differences of the two
samples, respectively.
The IATDV reflects the thermal-insulation ability of the PCTIA in the asphalt mixture. It is
mainly composed of two parts: the time difference caused by the release of phase-change latent heat
and the time difference caused by the change in the thermal parameters of the asphalt mixture due
Materials 2020, 13, 3738 10 of 13

of the AM-PCTIA; and ∆Ti and ∆ti represent the temperature and time differences of the two
samples, respectively.
The IATDV reflects the thermal-insulation ability of the PCTIA in the asphalt mixture. It is mainly
composed of two parts: the time difference caused by the release of phase-change latent heat and
the time difference caused by the change in the thermal parameters of the asphalt mixture due to
the presence of the PCTIA. In this study, 170 ◦ C was selected as the initial temperature. The terminal
temperature of the IATDV can be selected according to the actual demand.
The formula for calculating the IATDI is presented in Equation (2). It can be used to evaluate the
thermal-insulation efficiency of the PCTIA in the asphalt mixture.

IATDI = IATDV/(∆t × ∆T) (2)

Here, ∆t represents the thermal-insulation time domain of the PCTIA, and ∆T represents the
thermal-insulation temperature domain of the PCTIA.
In this study, 140, 120, 100, and 80 ◦ C were selected as the terminal temperatures for the calculation
of the IATDV and IATDI of the asphalt mixture. The results are presented in Table 4.

Table 4. Date of the thermal-insulation accumulated time difference value (IATDV) and thermal-insulation
accumulated time difference index (IATDI).

Terminal Temperature (◦ C)
Ambient Temperature Relevant Parameter
80 ◦ C 100 ◦ C 120 ◦ C 140 ◦ C
Temperature domain (◦ C) 90 70 50 30
Time domain (s) 6150 4575 3270 2115
0 ◦C
IATDV (s·◦ C) 24,685.4 18,110.4 11,046.6 5302.2
IATDI 0.0447 0.0567 0.0679 0.0864
Temperature domain (◦ C) 90 70 50 30
◦C Time domain (s) 7422 5220 3450 2055
5
IATDV (s·◦ C) 34,762.3 24,842.9 15,679.4 7861.4
IATDI 0.0520 0.0680 0.0909 0.1275
Temperature domain (◦ C) 90 70 50 30
◦C Time domain (s) 10036 7419 5278 3380
10
IATDV (s·◦ C) 50,071.0 34,391.3 20,701.5 8807.6
IATDI 0.0554 0.0662 0.0784 0.0869
Temperature domain (◦ C) 90 70 50 30
Time domain (s) 12816 9066 6115 3656
15 ◦ C
IATDV (s·◦ C) 89,537.8 57,345.5 32,468.5 12,706.0
IATDI 0.0776 0.0904 0.1062 0.1158

For a more intuitive understanding, the relationship curves between the two evaluation indices
and the terminal temperature at different ambient temperatures are shown in Figure 9.
As shown in Figure 9a, in the cooling process of the asphalt mixture at different ambient
temperatures, the IATDV increased gradually with a decrease in the terminal temperature. This is
because the ordinary mixture was not mixed with the PCTIA; thus, the temperature dissipation was
very fast. The temperature difference between the AM-PCTIA and the ordinary mixture increased
gradually, leading to an increase of the integral. When the temperatures of the two samples of the
asphalt mixture decreased to the same value, the IATDV increased with the ambient temperature.
When the temperature of mixture decreased to 80 ◦ C at an ambient temperature of 15 ◦ C, the IATDV
was 89,537.8 s·◦ C, which was 0.8 times higher than that at 10 ◦ C. A higher ambient temperature
corresponded to a stronger thermal-insulation ability of the PCTIA.
As shown in Figure 9b, at the same ambient temperature, the IATDI decreased with a decrease
in the terminal temperature, indicating that the thermal-insulation effect of the PCTIA decreased
 IATDI 0.0520 0.0680 0.0909 0.1275
Temperature domain (°C) 90 70 50 30
Time domain (s) 10036 7419 5278 3380
10 °C
IATDV (s·°C) 50,071.0 34,391.3 20,701.5 8807.6
Materials 2020, 13, 3738 IATDI 0.0554 0.0662 0.0784 11 of 13
0.0869
Temperature domain (°C) 90 70 50 30
gradually.15Before Time domain (s) 12816 9066 ◦ 6115 3656
°C the temperature of the asphalt mixture decreased to 120 C, there was no obvious
IATDV
regularity of the IATDI, but after the (s·°C) of the mixture
temperature 89,537.8 decreased
57,345.5below
32,468.5
120 ◦ C,12,706.0
the IATDI
IATDI 0.0776 ◦ 0.0904 0.1062
was clearly the highest when the ambient temperature was 15 C, compared with the other 0.1158
three
ambient temperatures. The comparison revealed that the IATDI of the PCTIA was the highest when
the For a more
ambient intuitive understanding,
temperature thethe
was 15 ◦ C. Thus, relationship curves between
thermal-insulation thewas
efficiency twothe
evaluation indices
highest when the
and the terminal temperature
◦
material was used at 15 C. at different ambient temperatures are shown in Figure 9.

100000 0.14
ambient temperature: 0 °C ambient temperature: 0 °C
90000 0.13
ambient temperature: 5 °C ambient temperature: 5 °C
80000 ambient temperature: 10 °C 0.12 ambient temperature: 10 °C
ambient temperature: 15 °C ambient temperature: 15 °C
70000 0.11
IATDV /s·°C

60000 0.10

IATDI
50000 0.09

40000 0.08

30000 0.07

20000 0.06
10000 0.05
0 0.04
140 130 120 110 100 90 80 140 130 120 110 100 90 80
Terminal temperature /°C Terminal temperature /°C

(a) (b)
Figure
Figure9.9.Two
Twoindices
indicesofofthe
theasphalt
asphaltmixture
mixturemixed
mixedwith
withPCTIA
PCTIA(AM-PCTIA)
(AM-PCTIA)atatdifferent
differentambient
ambient
temperatures: (a) IATDV; (b) IATDI.
temperatures: (a) IATDV; (b) IATDI.

5. Conclusions
(1) A PCTIA for the construction of a hot-mix asphalt mixture was prepared. The phase-change
temperature range of the PCTIA in the endothermic and exothermic process matched the
construction demand, and the PCTIA had good heat stability and low heat conductivity.
(2) The temperature-dissipation processes of the ordinary asphalt mixture and AM-PCTIA were
simulated through a cooling experiment. The thermal-insulation effect was relatively strong at
the center of the asphalt mixture, and the temperature of the AM-PATIA was 4 ◦ C higher than
that of the ordinary asphalt mixture. The insulation time was prolonged by 29.8 min for the center
of the asphalt mixture at the ambient temperature of 15 ◦ C.
(3) Two evaluation indices (the IATDV and IATDI) were proposed for evaluating the thermal-insulation
ability and efficiency of the PCTIA. In summary, the IATDV in the same temperature range
increased with the ambient temperature, indicating that the thermal-insulation ability of the
PCTIA increased with the ambient temperature. The PCTIA had the best thermal-insulation effect
and the highest thermal-insulation efficiency at the ambient temperature of 15 ◦ C.

Author Contributions: Experiment, Y.X. and J.X.; data processing and analysis, H.S., J.X. and X.W.;
writing—original draft preparation, H.S. and B.M.; manuscript check, B.M. and K.W. All authors have read and
agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was funded by the Transportation Industry of High-level Technical Personnel Training
Projects Funded Plan under Grant [number 2018-019], Scientific Research Project of Department of Transportation
of Shaanxi Provincial under Grant [number 18-03K], Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi
[number 2020JQ-366], and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central University of Chang’an University
[number 300102210207].
Acknowledgments: All authors are grateful to Qiang Xiao for his guidance in the experiment.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Materials 2020, 13, 3738 12 of 13

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