Aramid Fiber vs Other Asphalt Fibers: Which Performs Best for Rutting and Fatigue?

Suitable for architectural engineers, structural engineers, flooring contractors, precast component manufacturers, and technicians.

Asphalt reinforcement has evolved significantly as road agencies and contractors seek higher-performance pavements with longer service life and lower maintenance costs. Today, the most common reinforcement fibers include aramid, polyester (PET), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and basalt fibers.

But when the goal is minimizing rutting, extending fatigue life, and improving mixture stability, one question matters most:

👉 Which fiber performs best in real asphalt pavement applications?

Below is a side-by-side technical comparison based on mechanical behavior, reinforcement efficiency, and the latest engineering data for SMA, OGFC, dense-graded asphalt, and heavy-duty pavements.

Performance Comparison: Aramid Fiber vs Polyester / PAN / Basalt

The table below summarizes the primary reinforcement mechanisms and expected field performance.

1. Rutting Resistance Comparison

Rutting Depth Reduction (Typical Lab Data Range)

• Aramid Fiber: 18–45% reduction

• Polyester Fiber: 8–20% reduction

• PAN Fiber: 10–25% reduction

• Basalt Fiber: 12–28% reduction

Why Aramid Leads

Aramid fibers have high tensile strength (≥3000 MPa), low creep, and remain stable at asphalt mixing temperatures (160–190°C). They create a 3D reinforcement grid, restraining aggregate movement and limiting shear deformation under repeated loading.

PET, PAN, and basalt improve stability, but none deliver the elastic modulus or fatigue-resistance contribution that aramid provides to the asphalt matrix.

2. Fatigue Life Extension Comparison

Fatigue Life Extension (Relative to Control Mix)

• Aramid Fiber: 50–300% increase

• Polyester Fiber: 20–80% increase

• PAN Fiber: 30–120% increase

• Basalt Fiber: 25–100% increase

Aramid offers the highest fatigue-life extension, especially in:

• heavy truck traffic

• airport runways

• intersections and braking zones

• bus lanes and BRT corridors

The reason: aramid fibers bridge developing cracks and delay micro-crack propagation, significantly increasing the number of load cycles to failure.

3. Temperature Stability & Thermal Cracking

Fiber Type	High Temp Stability	Low Temp Cracking	Notes
Aramid	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Best all-climate reinforcement
Polyester	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Good for hot climates
PAN	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Excellent chemical stability
Basalt	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	High melting point, mineral-based

Aramid and PAN outperform others in thermal cracking resistance, especially in freeze-thaw regions.

When Contractors Should Choose Aramid Fiber

Choose Aramid Fiber when:

✔ Pavement faces heavy-duty traffic (trucks, buses, industrial vehicles)

✔ Rutting is the primary distress mode

✔ Long-term fatigue performance is required

✔ SMA or OGFC mixtures need enhanced structural integrity

✔ Working on highways, airports, port pavements, or high-stress zones

✔ You need reinforcement without increasing asphalt binder content

Aramid is the premium solution—delivering the highest strength, longest service life, and best lifecycle cost savings.

Summary: Which Fiber Performs Best Overall?

Best For	Winner
Rutting Resistance	⭐ Aramid Fiber
Fatigue Life Improvement	⭐ Aramid Fiber
Thermal Stability	PAN / Aramid
Economical / General Purpose	Polyester
High-Temperature Mineral Reinforcement	Basalt
Anti-Drain-Down for SMA/OGFC	Lignin Fiber (supporting fiber)

Aramid is the top-performing reinforcement fiber across nearly all performance indicators.

When used correctly, contractors typically report:

• less rutting under heavy traffic

• reduced cracking

• extended pavement service life

• lower maintenance cost