Preparation, thermochromic properties and temperature controlling ability of novel pellets in ultra-thin wearing course

[Display omitted] •A novel pellet with environmental temperature self-sensing function was prepared by ion exchange method.•The optimum dosage of novel pellet in Ultra-thin Wearing course was determined.•Incorporation of novel pellet makes the asphalt mixture have good temperature control ability during UTWC. The performance of ultra-thin wear layer (UTWC) is sensitive to solar radiation and ambient temperature fluctuation. For the purpose of boosting the durability of thermochromic materials in service life as well as improving the function of temperature controlling of asphalt mixtures, a novel pellet was prepared by ion displacement method. The temperature control mechanism for asphalt ultra-thin wear layer with pellets was also investigated. The uniaxial compression experiment and differential scanning calorimetry were deployed to investigate the mechanical strength and phase change characteristics of the pellets. The results indicate that the pellet possesses the merits of high elastic strength and strong sensitivity to ambient temperature. The incorporation of pellets can alleviate thermal fluctuation and improve the high temperature performance of UTWC but reduce its low temperature performance. The specific UTWC with pellets exhibits a maximum temperature reduction of 5.5 °C. The incorporating of pellets in asphalt mixture provides the characteristics of phase change function, alters the thermal properties, thus possess the ability to control temperature of UTWC well.