When importing or purchasing thermoplastic road marking paint in Vietnam, compliance with local national standards is a basic requirement. TCVN 8791:2018, the national standard of Vietnam, is the core technical standard for thermoplastic road marking materials, which specifies technical requirements, test methods, construction processes, and acceptance criteria for thermoplastic road marking paint. For Vietnamese buyers, importers, and construction companies, understanding TCVN 8791:2018 and choosing TCVN 8791 thermoplastic road marking paint is crucial to ensure project compliance, pass customs inspection, and guarantee traffic safety. This guide will detailedly interpret the core requirements of TCVN 8791:2018, analyze the key indicators that thermoplastic road marking paint must meet, and provide practical suggestions for purchasing compliant products, helping you avoid compliance risks.

First, let’s understand the background and scope of application of TCVN 8791:2018. TCVN 8791:2018, officially released in 2018, is the second edition of Vietnam’s national standard for thermoplastic road marking materials, replacing the previous old standard. This standard applies to thermoplastic road marking materials used for road markings, speed bumps, and other guides on asphalt roads, concrete roads, and plastic-coated roads, covering all types of thermoplastic road marking paint used in Vietnam’s road infrastructure projects. Whether it is a government-invested expressway project, an urban road upgrade project, or a private industrial park road project, thermoplastic road marking paint must comply with TCVN 8791:2018 to pass project acceptance.

TCVN 8791:2018 has strict requirements on the technical indicators of thermoplastic road marking paint, covering appearance, physical properties, chemical properties, reflectivity, wear resistance, weather resistance, and other aspects. Below, we will interpret the core indicators that TCVN 8791 thermoplastic road marking paint must meet, helping you accurately judge whether the product is compliant.

1. Appearance requirements: According to TCVN 8791:2018, thermoplastic road marking paint should be uniform powder or granular, without agglomeration, impurities, or obvious color difference. The color should be consistent with the specified color (such as yellow, white, etc.), and the particle size should be uniform. This requirement ensures that the paint has good fluidity during construction and can form a smooth and uniform coating. Many small workshops fail to meet this requirement due to poor raw material control and rough mixing processes, resulting in uneven color and agglomeration of the product, which affects the construction effect.

2. Physical property requirements: TCVN 8791:2018 has clear regulations on the density and softening point of thermoplastic road marking paint. The density should be between 1.8-2.3 g/cm³. If the density is too high, the paint will have poor fluidity and be prone to agglomeration during construction; if the density is too low, the coating thickness will be insufficient, and the wear resistance will be greatly reduced. The softening point should not be less than 90℃. A softening point that does not meet the requirements will cause the marking to soften and form ruts on high-temperature road sections in Vietnam’s summer, and crack and peel off on low-temperature road sections in winter.

3. Adhesion requirements: Adhesion is a key indicator to measure the service life of thermoplastic road marking paint. TCVN 8791:2018 requires that the adhesion between the marking and the road surface is strong, and there should be no peeling or scaling after rolling and rain washing. The adhesion test method specified in the standard is the pull-off test, and the pull-off strength should meet the specified requirements. The main reasons for insufficient adhesion are low resin content, improper road surface treatment, and incorrect construction temperature control. TCVN 8791 thermoplastic road marking paint will add high-viscosity synthetic resin to ensure strong adhesion to asphalt and concrete road surfaces.

4. Wear resistance requirements: Vietnam’s expressways and urban main roads have high traffic volume, and road markings need to withstand long-term vehicle rolling and friction. TCVN 8791:2018 specifies that the wear loss of thermoplastic road marking paint should not exceed 40 mg. The wear resistance test is carried out by a wear tester, simulating the rolling friction of vehicles on the marking. Products with poor wear resistance will be quickly worn and blurred, reducing the service life and increasing maintenance costs. TCVN 8791 thermoplastic road marking paint will add high-quality wear-resistant fillers (such as quartz sand) to improve wear resistance.

5. Reflectivity requirements: Reflectivity is crucial for traffic safety at night and in rainy weather. TCVN 8791:2018 requires that thermoplastic road marking paint must be used with glass beads, and the retroreflective coefficient must meet the requirements of night visibility. The standard specifies the retroreflective coefficient index for different types of road markings (such as expressways, urban roads). At the same time, the glass beads used must meet the requirements of TCVN 9880:2013, including roundness, refractive index, and particle size. High-refractive-index glass beads (refractive index ≥1.5) are required to ensure that the marking has good reflective performance even in rainy weather.

6. Weather resistance requirements: Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, with high temperature, high humidity, and strong ultraviolet radiation, which puts forward high requirements for the weather resistance of thermoplastic road marking paint. TCVN 8791:2018 requires that after the weather resistance test (simulating ultraviolet radiation, rain, and temperature difference), the marking should have no obvious cracking, powdering, or fading. The weather resistance test method refers to relevant international standards, ensuring that the product can maintain stable performance in Vietnam’s harsh climate environment.

In addition to the above core indicators, TCVN 8791:2018 also has requirements on the construction process and acceptance of thermoplastic road marking paint. The standard specifies the heating temperature (180-220℃), construction speed, and glass bead spreading amount (0.3-0.5 kg/㎡) during construction, ensuring that the construction quality meets the requirements. The acceptance of the project must be carried out in accordance with the test methods specified in the standard, and only products that meet all indicators can pass the acceptance.

For buyers and importers, how to ensure that the purchased thermoplastic road marking paint complies with TCVN 8791:2018? Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Choose a supplier that can provide TCVN 8791:2018 test reports. A formal supplier will have a complete test report issued by a professional testing agency, clearly indicating that the product meets the requirements of TCVN 8791:2018. Buyers should carefully check the test report, focusing on the core indicators such as adhesion, wear resistance, and reflectivity.

2. Conduct sample testing. Before bulk purchase, it is recommended to take samples and send them to a professional testing agency recognized by Vietnam for testing to verify whether the product meets TCVN 8791:2018 standards. This can avoid purchasing unqualified products and reduce compliance risks.

3. Understand the supplier’s production process and quality control system. Suppliers with standardized production processes and strict quality control systems can ensure that each batch of products meets TCVN 8791:2018 standards. It is recommended to visit the supplier’s production workshop if possible to check the production equipment and quality control links.

4. Pay attention to the compatibility of glass beads. Glass beads are an important part of thermoplastic road marking paint, and their quality directly affects the reflectivity of the marking. Buyers should ensure that the glass beads used by the supplier meet TCVN 9880:2013 standards and are compatible with the paint to ensure the reflective effect.

We specialize in producing TCVN 8791 thermoplastic road marking paint, fully complying with the requirements of Vietnam’s national standard. Our products have passed professional testing, with complete test reports, and have been widely used in Vietnam’s expressway, urban road, and industrial park projects. We provide free sample testing, professional technical guidance, and timely delivery services, helping you avoid compliance risks and ensure project quality. If you need to purchase TCVN 8791 thermoplastic road marking paint, or want to know more about the standard requirements, please contact us directly. Our professional team will provide you with one-on-one service and help you purchase compliant and high-quality products.