Freeze-thaw tests of liquid deicing chemicals on selected pavement materials

Tests were conducted to assess the extent of surface degradation resulting from the application of non-chloride deicing chemicals on three types of airfield pavements. The chemicals tested were proprietary mixtures of urea, formamide, and ethylene glycol; sodium chloride, distilled water, and dry specimens were used as controls and for comparison. Pavements included new and old specimens of open-graded asphaltic concrete and old specimens of dense-graded asphaltic concrete. Portland cement concrete specimens used were new and old, with and without air-entrainment. New and old tar rubber concrete specimens were also tested. Samples were subjected to up to 60 freeze-thaw cycles with deicing chemicals flooding their upper surface. Each specimen was rated on a scale of 0-5 after every five freeze-thaw cycles. All PCC specimens showed some surface degradation, whereas the dense- and open-graded asphaltic concretes were largely unaffected.