High-Brightness Drop-on Glass Beads for Road Marking

🔷 Product Overview

High-Brightness Drop-on Glass Beads are developed for road marking projects requiring stronger initial nighttime visibility than conventional surface-applied glass beads.

The beads are uniformly dispensed onto freshly applied thermoplastic, acrylic or two-component road marking materials. After correct embedding, their exposed spherical surfaces receive vehicle headlight illumination and return part of the light toward the driver, producing a brighter and more clearly visible road marking at night.

Two grades are available: L250 and L250-A. The L250 grade provides a practical high-brightness solution for general road projects, while L250-A offers higher roundness for projects requiring more consistent bead shape, dispensing performance and reflective uniformity.

✨ Main Product Advantages

💡 Enhanced Initial Visibility

This product is designed for an initial retroreflectivity target of at least 250 mcd/m²·lx when combined with a compatible marking material and applied under suitable construction and testing conditions.

Actual performance depends on the marking formulation, film thickness, application rate, particle-size distribution, embedding depth, road condition and testing method.

⚪ Two Performance Grades

L250 High-Brightness Grade

• Gradation option: 16–40 mesh

• Roundness: ≥85%

• Suitable for general high-brightness road markings

L250-A High-Roundness Grade

• Gradation option: 18–40 mesh

• Roundness: ≥90%

• Suitable for projects requiring improved particle consistency

The two-grade structure allows buyers to select a suitable balance between project performance and procurement cost.

🔘 Controlled Particle Gradation

Controlled particle-size distribution supports even application and appropriate embedding in fresh marking material.

Bead size should correspond with the applied film thickness. Oversized beads may not embed securely, while excessively small beads may sink too deeply and leave insufficient exposed surface for effective retroreflection.

💧 Moisture-Resistant Treatment

The beads are supplied with moisture-resistant surface treatment to help reduce caking during storage and maintain stable flow through mechanical dispensing equipment.

The unopened bags must still be protected from rain, excessive humidity and direct contact with wet warehouse floors.

⚙️ Stable Mechanical Dispensing

High particle roundness promotes smoother movement through bead dispensers and helps reduce irregular distribution. Stable dispensing contributes to more consistent reflective performance across the width of the marking.

🛣️ Recommended Applications

High-Brightness Drop-on Glass Beads are suitable for:

• Highway and urban arterial road markings

• Intersections and directional arrows

• Pedestrian crossings

• Parking facilities

• Industrial and logistics traffic areas

• Thermoplastic road marking paint

• Cold-applied acrylic traffic paint

• Two-component road marking materials

• Projects requiring improved dry-night visibility

This product should not be described as a dedicated wet-night or all-weather glass bead unless the complete marking system has passed the corresponding wet-condition testing.

⚙️ Application Guidance

1. Apply Immediately

The beads should be dispensed immediately after the road marking material is applied, while the surface remains molten or sufficiently wet to receive and retain the particles.

2. Maintain Uniform Distribution

The bead dispenser should cover the full marking width evenly. Irregular spreading may create dark areas and uneven nighttime appearance.

3. Control Embedding Depth

The beads must be partially embedded in the marking material.

Insufficient embedding can cause early bead loss under traffic. Excessive embedding reduces the exposed bead surface and can weaken initial retroreflection.

4. Determine the Application Rate by Testing

The appropriate application rate should be confirmed through a construction trial according to:

• Marking material type

• Film thickness

• Glass-bead gradation

• Construction equipment

• Target retroreflectivity

• Project specification

A single fixed application rate should not be applied to every road marking system without verification.

🔬 Technical Data

Product Type: High-brightness drop-on glass beads
Available Grades: L250 and L250-A
Gradation Options: 16–40 mesh and 18–40 mesh
Roundness: ≥85% or ≥90%
Refractive Index: ≥1.50
Surface Treatment: Moisture-resistant coating
Application Method: Surface application on fresh road marking materials
Packaging: 25 kg/bag

Final specifications should be confirmed through the quotation, approved sample or batch technical data before ordering.

📦 Packaging and Storage

The standard export package is a sealed 25 kg laminated woven bag.

Store the product in a cool, dry and ventilated warehouse. Keep bags sealed before use and protect them from rain, moisture, contamination and direct contact with the ground.

Palletized storage and moisture-protective wrapping are recommended for export transportation and long-term warehouse handling.

✅ Quality Control

Production and batch inspection may include:

• Particle-size distribution

• Particle roundness

• Refractive index

• Visual appearance

• Moisture resistance

• Flow performance

• Surface-treatment condition

• Packaging integrity

Alternative gradations and surface treatments can be discussed according to the customer’s marking material, construction equipment and project specification.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between L250 and L250-A?

L250 provides a minimum roundness of 85%, while L250-A provides a minimum roundness of 90%. L250-A is intended for projects requiring more consistent particle shape and application performance.

Can these beads be used with thermoplastic road marking paint?

Yes. They can be dropped onto freshly applied thermoplastic markings before the material cools and hardens.

Can they be used with acrylic or two-component materials?

Yes, provided that the selected grade is compatible with the film thickness and the beads are applied while the surface can still achieve proper embedding.

Do they comply with EN 1423 or AASHTO M247?

The currently referenced product information and test materials are based on Chinese specifications. EN 1423 or AASHTO M247 compliance should only be stated after the corresponding grade and test requirements have been separately verified.

Can the particle size be customized?

Yes. Alternative gradations, roundness levels and surface treatments can be discussed according to project requirements and order quantity.

📩 Request a Product Recommendation

Please provide the road marking material type, film thickness, construction equipment, required standard, destination market and target retroreflectivity.

We can then recommend the appropriate L250 or L250-A grade, particle-size distribution, surface treatment and packaging method.

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