# Synergistic anti-icing and snow-melting performance of two-component road markings enabled by PCMs and slow-release salts

## TL;DR

A new road marking coating combines materials that regulate temperature and release salt to prevent ice and snow buildup, improving performance in cold weather.

## Contribution

A synergistic PCM-salt additive is introduced for road markings to enable self-deicing and snow-melting capabilities.

## Key findings

- A 20 wt.% additive content maintains compliance with road marking standards while enhancing anti-icing properties.
- The optimal TH-ME5:T-SEN ratio of 1:3 achieves the lowest relative ice adhesion.
- The coating delays ice formation and reduces snow accumulation in simulated conditions.

## Abstract

Conventional road marking coatings suffer significant performance deterioration under winter conditions, including frost coverage, reduced retroreflectivity, and low-temperature embrittlement. This study presents a functional two-component road marking coating incorporating a composite anti-icing additive composed of a temperature-regulating phase-change material (TH-ME5) and a salt-based slow-release agent (T-SEN). The influence of additive content and the TH-ME5/T-SEN ratio on coating properties, road performance, and ice/snow mitigation was systematically evaluated. Results show that a total additive content of ≤20 wt.% maintains compliance with standard requirements for adhesion, flexibility, wear resistance, drying time, retroreflectivity, hiding power, alkali resistance, and UV aging. Ice adhesion tests reveal a two-stage anti-icing mechanism: TH-ME5 provides latent heat buffering during early freezing, while T-SEN governs long-term deicing. The optimal formulation—20 wt.% additive with a TH-ME5:T-SEN ratio of 1:3—achieved the lowest relative ice adhesion. Snow-melting simulations further demonstrate the coating’s ability to delay ice formation and reduce surface snow accumulation. This PCM–salt synergistic approach provides a feasible and scalable strategy for durable, self-deicing pavement markings in cold regions.