<p>Interlayer bonding is critical to asphalt pavement structural integrity, yet conventional research focuses mostly on single-factor empirical analyses, with no unified theory to clarify the intrinsic mechanisms of performance evolution. This study systematically investigated the interlayer shear and tensile strengths between the base and surface layers considering prime coat (0.5 ~ 2.0 L/m²) and seal coat asphalt (0 ~ 2.0 kg/m²), test temperatures (0, 25, and 50&#xa0;°C), and surface layer types (AC-25 and ATB-25). The results indicate that the interlayer performance is controlled by changes in dominant interlayer behavior, i.e. frictional interlocking, cohesion dominance, and lubrication-induced failure, and and their dominant positions change with the amount of materials and temperature. Besides, the evolution of interlayer strength is affected by the material amount. Tensile strength exhibits significantly higher sensitivity to material and temperature variations than shear strength. There exists a notable coupling effect between the prime coat and seal coat asphalt, with optimal performance occurring within a specific combination range of materials amount. Beyond 25&#xa0;°C, a nonlinear triggering effect of the "lubrication mechanism" becomes the fundamental cause of accelerated strength degradation. Furthermore, the type of surface layer structure predetermines the inherent mechanistic tendency of the interface. Finally, a unified conceptual model of interlayer strength evolution, grounded in the transition of interfacial dynamic regimes, is established. The work provides both theoretical tools and decision-making support for the precise design and performance prediction of asphalt pavement interlayers.</p>