PURPOSES: The performance of tack coat, commonly used for layer interface bonding, is affected by application rate and curing time. In this study, bonding strength tests were performed according to the application rate and curing time of asphalt emulsion. Based on finding from this study, optimum application rates and curing times are proposed. METHODS: In order to investigate bonding characteristic of asphalt emulsion, tests were performed on both asphalt concrete pavement and portland concrete pavement. Also, asphalt emulsions were tested at the application rate of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8l/m2 and at the curing time of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 24 hours. Pull-off test and shear bonding strength test, which commonly used for bonding strength measurement of asphalt emulsion, were adopted for this study. To assess field performance under different testing condition, asphalt emulsions were applied to in-service pavement. Throughout coefficient of determination analysis between material index properties from asphalt emulsion and mechanical response from bonding strength tests, performance correlativity was analyzed. RESULTS: Test results show that optimum application rate for asphalt overlay on asphalt concrete pavement (AOA) and asphalt overlay on concrete pavement (AOC) was 0.4~0.5l/m2 and 0.3~0.5l/m2, respectively. According to the curing time increment, tensile strength and shear strength of AOC were increased to 22~44% and 20~39%, respectively. AOA case also show strength increment in tensile strength (42%) and shear strength (9%). We tested the applicability of tack coat materials at the field sites, and our findings demonstrated that the bonding (for D and E) and rapid curing (for B, C, and D, E) performances were superior than others. Among material index properties, there was a high correlation between penetration ratio and bonding strength test result. CONCLUSIONS : Result show that interlayer bonding strength was affected by asphalt emulsion type, application rate and curing time. AOC required slightly higher application (0.1l/m2) than AOA. Both AOA and AOC cases show higher strength at longer curing time. Up to 2hours of curing, rapid strength increments were observed, but strength increment ratio was decreased after 2hours of curing. From the observed correlation between penetration ratio and bonding strength, it is expected that penetration ratio can be used as one of important factors affecting bonding strength analysis.