Microtexture is the collative term for a material's crystallographic parameters and other aspects of microstructure: such as morphology

Morphology

Morphology may mean:*Morphology , the study of the structure and content of word forms*Morphology , the study of the form or shape of an organism or part thereof...

, including size and shape distributions; chemical composition; and crystal

Crystal

A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are arranged in an orderly repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. The scientific study of crystals and crystal formation is known as crystallography...

 orientation and relationships

Vehicular pavement engineering

Microtexture (MiTx) is a family of wave-shaped road surface characteristics. While vehicle suspension deflection and dynamic tyre loads are affected by longer waves (roughness), road texture affects the interaction between the road surface and the tyre footprint. Microtexture has wavelengths shorter than 0.5 mm. Other types of road texture are Macrotexture

Macrotexture

Macrotexture is a family of wave-shaped road surface characteristics. While vehicle suspension deflection and dynamic tyre loads are affected by longer waves , road texture affects the interaction between the road surface and the tyre footprint. Macrotexture has wavelengths from 0.5 mm up to...

 and Megatexture (roads)

Megatexture (roads)

Megatexture is a family of wave-shaped road surface characteristics. While vehicle suspension deflection and dynamic tyre loads are affected by longer waves , road texture affects the interaction between the road surface and the tyre footprint. Megatexture has wavelengths from 50 mm up to 500 mm...

.

MiTx contributes to dry road surface friction.

It relates to the surface of the binder, of the ballast, and of contaminations such as rubber deposits from tires.

Typically, road agencies do not monitor MiTx directly, but indirectly by brake friction

Friction

Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and/or material elements sliding against each other. There are several types of friction:...

 tests. However, friction also depends on other surface properties, such as Macrotexture

Macrotexture

Macrotexture is a family of wave-shaped road surface characteristics. While vehicle suspension deflection and dynamic tyre loads are affected by longer waves , road texture affects the interaction between the road surface and the tyre footprint. Macrotexture has wavelengths from 0.5 mm up to...

.

Further reading

• Development of a Fundamental Skid Resistance Asphalt Mix Design Procedure, Pavement Management Service, Sydney, Australia
• Relationship of Aggregate Microtexture to Asphalt Pavement Skid Resistance, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, United States