The role of glass beads in road reflective markings and optimization of spreading technology

In the field of road marking construction, glass beads, as the “soul” of reflective markings, directly determine the safety of night driving and the durability of markings. TOP ROAD Technology Co., Ltd. has been deeply involved in the field of road marking for 30 years. With professional research and development capabilities and rich practical experience, we provide comprehensive glass bead solutions for engineering and construction teams. Today, we will delve into the role of glass beads in reflective marking and share optimization methods for spreading techniques to help you improve construction quality and efficiency.

1、 The core function of glass beads

Glass beads are a key material for reflective markings to achieve night vision recognition. The principle of reflection is based on the refraction and reflection of light: when the car lights illuminate the markings, the glass beads can reflect the light back to the driver’s line of sight, greatly improving the visibility of the markings in low light conditions. TOP ROAD offers a variety of glass bead products, including universal, rain and night specific, and two-component specific, to meet the reflective needs of different road environments. The particle size, roundness index, and refractive index of glass beads directly affect the reflective effect – the larger the particle size, the stronger the anti reflective performance; The higher the roundness, the more uniform the light reflection. Before construction, it is necessary to scientifically select the type of road (such as expressway, urban road or tunnel) to avoid insufficient reflective effect or cost waste due to improper selection.

2、 Key links in optimizing spreading technology

The spreading process during construction is the core that determines the performance of glass beads. Common problems include uneven spreading, glass bead detachment or insufficient embedding, which are mostly caused by improper equipment adjustment or environmental factors. Optimization methods include:

Equipment calibration: Ensure that the spreader is equipped with a windproof cover to avoid uneven distribution of glass beads caused by wind interference; Regularly clean the spreader pipeline to prevent blockages caused by impurities such as woven bag threads.

Spread amount control: Adjust the spread amount according to the thickness of the marking and the type of coating. Excessive spread can cause glass beads to accumulate and easily fall off, while insufficient spread can reduce the reflective effect. TOP ROAD provides professional spreading technology support and guides equipment parameter settings through on-site exploration.

Environmental adaptation: In humid or high temperature environments, it is necessary to adjust the type of glass beads (such as using a rain night specific type) and optimize the spreading timing to avoid the influence of undried coating agents or road moisture on the bonding effect.

Acceptance and maintenance after construction are equally crucial. If the reflective effect of the marking decreases, it is necessary to check whether the glass beads settle evenly and whether the surface is contaminated with oil. The solution includes using specialized cleaning tools (such as a lint free cloth dipped in alcohol) to clean the surface of the marking and restore the reflective performance of the glass beads. TOP ROAD’s after-sales team provides 24-hour technical support to assist the engineering team in quickly resolving on-site issues.

3、 Whole process collaboration enhances the lifespan of marking lines

The performance of glass beads cannot be achieved without collaboration with other construction processes

Matching with coatings: Different types of marking coatings (such as hot-melt and two-component) need to be matched with suitable glass beads. For example, two-component coatings require the use of specialized glass beads to ensure reflective stability after chemical reactions.

Combined with construction technology: On cement or old asphalt roads, it is necessary to first apply a base adhesive to enhance the bonding strength and prevent glass beads from falling off due to insufficient adhesion. TOP ROAD’s glass bead products undergo strict quality inspection to ensure compatibility with various coatings and reduce construction risks.

Our company is a professional manufacturer of road hot-melt coatings, road retroreflective measuring instruments, and road marking machines. If you are interested, please feel free to communicate with me via email at any time export@toproadtraffic.com