Retro Reflective Material Definition and List
Retro reflective material, also called reflective material, are materials that reflect light back to the original path. At night or light, it can be seen clearly by reflecting light. It is mainly used for roads, Traffic safety clothing, automobiles, ships, fairways, stages, various passageways and related mechanical equipment.
Glass bead reflective tape and prism reflective tape
The Reflective Tape has two forms of working principle. One is the reflection of light through glass beads. It is also the earliest reflective tape. Using higher quality glass beads and increasing the density of glass beads can enhance the brightness of reflective tape. This type of reflective tape is currently widely used in SOLAS Marine Reflective Tape and High Intensity Reflective Tape.
There is also a micro prism reflective tape, through the prism to face the reflection of light, to achieve the effect of reverse emission. This reflective tape is widely used, including DOT Reflective Tape, ECE 104 Reflective Tape, High Intensity Prismatic Reflective Tape, and so on.
Since 1930s, in addition to the rapid investment in the use of new retroreflective materials to reduce road traffic damage as soon as possible, the research on the application of retro reflection technology to improve road traffic safety conditions is gradually started.
At first, people were inspired by the phenomenon of cat’s eye reflection at night. The glass beads were used as reflective medium, and the reflective materials were invented.
The structure of the reflective material
Most of the reflective material is a membrane structure consisting of layers (protective film), reflection layer (functional layer), base (bearing layer), adhesive layer and bottom layer (protective layer).
The following diagram shows the basic structure of the glass bead reflector. The surface of the reflective material is usually made of resin film with good transmittance and weatherability. The reflective layer is made up of different types of reflective films, including small glass beads, microprisms, or metal reflective coatings. The base is mostly made of resin organic compounds, and the adhesive layer is generally epoxy resin adhesive. The bottom is the protective layer made of thick paper.
The primary function of reflective film is to improve the surface performance of traffic signs, so that they can adapt to the all-weather traffic needs and improve the safe operation conditions of roads.
Due to the difference in reflective performance of different kinds of reflective films, it is necessary to carry out the corresponding specification according to the setting function and purpose of the sign when it is applied to the production of traffic signs. The study of this application specification is regarded as an important part of traffic control and safety technology in the world by traffic safety engineering professionals.
Various countries and all walks of life have different requirements for the reflective sheeting. Therefore, the reflective film has the Commercial Grade Reflective Sheeting, the Engineer Grade Prismatic Reflective Sheeting, the High Intensity Grade Reflective Sheeting, the High Intensity Prismatic Reflective Sheeting and so on, according to the different reflective coefficient.
Type of retroreflective material — What is the best reflective material?
The composition of reflective materials can be referred to: What Is Reflective Material Made Of And Its Working Principle
Reflective film is divided into: embedded reflective film, sealed reflective film, EGP reflective film, HIP reflective film, structure as shown below.
Embedded reflective film (Advertisement Grade Reflective Sheeting)
The embedded reflective film (Advertisement Grade Reflective Sheeting), also known as the “Engineering Grade” lens embedded reflective film, is the first product of the glass bead reflective film. The industry is used to call the “engineering grade” series of reflective films. The positive luminance (0.2) is generally below 100cd/lx/m, and the service life is 3~7 years, and the brightness retention value at least 3-7 years later is at the beginning. 50% of the initial brightness value.
Sealed reflective film
The lens sealed reflective film is a durable glass bead reflective film, which is used in the industry as the “High Intensive Beads” reflective film. The internal vacuum bracket structure also solves the problem of condensation dew on the sign on the label because of the change of temperature, thus further improving the ability of the material to reflect the light. But at the same time, it is also due to the high strength of its own structure resulting in some difficult product defects, such as crisp and easy to tear products, wrinkle, bubble, surface honeycomb protruding, high energy consumption, large emissions, if no longer production.
EGP reflective film
The retro reflection principle of the EGP Engineer Grade Prismatic Reflective Film is different from that of the engineering grade (lens embedded) and the high-strength grade (lens sealed) reflective film. The glass bead reflection principle is used in both the engineering and high strength reflective films, while the reflection principle of the engineer grade prismatic EGP reflective film is the refraction and reflection of the prismatic.
HIP reflective film
The high intensity prismatic HIP reflective vinyl is a prismatic retro reflective material using the full prismatic structure, which is to remove the non-reflective part of the traditional EGP structure, so that the reflective film is all composed of the prismatic structure that can be fully reflected. It combines the two characteristics of the long distance and large angle micro prismatic reflective film, which is easy to find in keeping the front bright and long distance. It improves the high angle of incidence and the brightness under the observation angle at the distance of 50-250 meters.
The positive luminance of the high intensity prismatic HIP reflective film is more than six times that of the engineering grade, and the white film front brightness (0.2 /-4) is generally above 600 cd/lx/m, and is more than two times higher than the high strength grade, while the retro reflection performance of the large angle measurement angle (0.5 and 2) is about two to four times higher.
FLIGHT retro reflective material manufacturer and supplier
FLIGHT is a retro reflective material manufacturer specializing in research and production of reflective materials. Our products have passed DOT, ECE104 certification and SOLAS marine reflective film. We provide all kinds of reflective film, commercial reflective sheet, engineering grade reflective sheet, super engineering reflective film and so on.
We accept customized production orders, which can print your company’s brand logo, and can pack products according to your needs. Custom Printed Reflective Tape and Custom Reflective Stickers from FLIGHT.
Any questions about our reflective materials are welcome. Contact Us.