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Retroreflective Sheetings Used For Sign Faces
Retroreflective Sheetings Used For Sign Faces
Retroreflective Sheetings Used For Sign Faces
Faces
Important Note: The current state of the retroreflective sheeting market is changing
rapidly, due to development of new sheetings, requested changes to ASTM D4956,
and changes in product offerings by manufacturers. This webpage will try to keep up
with current events in reflective sheetings as they develop. However, the information
on this page may be slightly outdated as events develop.
Nearly all sheetings are available with pressure-sensitive backings for attachment to
sign surfaces. Some sheetings are available with heat-activated backings, but with
changes in sign manufacturing technology this type of adhesive is becoming less
popular and less available.
Sign legends for retroreflective signs are produced by the following methods:
Colored inks used in sign silk-screening are translucent to allow reflectivity through
the ink, whereas black ink used for signs is opaque.
Inks are available from 3M, Nippon Carbide, Avery Dennison, Nazdar, and other
manufacturers.
Sheeting types normally fail in different ways, depending on how they are structured.
Single-layer types, such as Type I or II, usually fail by gradually losing their
retroreflective intensity. This is due to increasing opacity of the pigmented material
caused by ultraviolet ray exposure due to sunlight.
Multi-layer sheetings, such as Type III, often fail structurally - the outer colored layer
delaminates and falls off, exposing the silver reflective underlayer to the elements,
and ruining the contrast needed for legibility.
If properly applied and sealed to a good surface, most reflective sheetings are quite
water, ice, and salt resistant.
Contact Information:
More information may also be found from the Federal Highway Administration at
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/retro/index.htm