In a road-building experiment, Michigan Tech researchers have uncovered a promising use for waste glass that would otherwise be discarded. In a study, researchers tested asphalt mixed with surface-treated waste glass and found that a 6% blend delivered a 42.3% increase in dynamic stability compared with a conventional mixture. That same blend also improved anti-skid performance by 38.6%, giving it the strongest friction result among all the glass contents tested. To achieve this, the team treated the glass with APTES, a silane coupling agent that helped it bond more effectively with the asphalt. The findings point to a genuine role for recycled glass in building stronger, safer road surfaces.
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