TESTING OF SELECTED BEADS FOR TRAFFIC PAINTS

Beads for traffic paint were evaluated under field conditions on longitudinal paint stripes applied by a standard state paint truck and crew. Types tested were the state's standard bead, uniformly graded flotation beads, state standard beads with flotation treatment, and polyester beads with and without an anti-ultraviolet light treatment. All were applied at three different rates to both asphalt and portland cement concrete pavements. Performance was rated until substantial failure occurred after three months, using a vehicle-mounted photocell device, subjective visual ratings, and close-up photography. The uniform gradation flotation beads were found to be brighter than the others tested, having about the same brightness at a 4 lb/gal application rate as the New York standard beads applied at 6 lb/gal. All other types has less but essentially similar brightness. Application rate did not appear to influence brightness to the degree expected, but this was attributed to bead distribution problems caused by a poorly designed dispenser. /FHWA/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by and prepared in cooperation with DOT, Federal Highway Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  New York State Department of Transportation

  1220 Washington Avenue
  Albany, NY  United States  12232
• Authors:
  • McNaught, E D
  • Hahn, K C
• Publication Date: 1976-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 23 p.
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 1I1-0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregate gradation; Asphalt pavements; Brightness; Glass beads; Polyester resins; Portland cement concrete; Reflectorized paint; Traffic paint
• Old TRIS Terms: Gradation; Reflective beads
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00149622
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: NYSDOT-ERD-76-RR 36,, FHWA/RD/M-0317,, Interim Report
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 27 2003 12:00AM