Tack coat may be the smallest line item on the job, but it is critical to the pavement’s structure. Without a good bond, layers act alone, stresses concentrate, and the surface fails years ahead of schedule. Join Nathan Moore, P.E., Assistant Director for Test Track Research at the National Center for Asphalt Technology, for a foundational look at how tack turns individual lifts into a single pavement. You’ll learn how surface condition and texture drive material selection and application rate, what break and set behavior means in the field, and how distributor setup, calibration, and coordination with paving protect the bond needed between pavement layers. Attendees will be able to: – Explain the role of tack coat in creating bond between pavement layers and supporting long-term performance – Describe how surface condition, cleanliness, and texture influence tack coat effectiveness – Identify common tack coat materials and how selection affects break, set, and tracking behavior – Evaluate application practices, including distributor setup, calibration, and application rate