Reflective Thermoplastic Road Marking Paint | 10% / 20% / 30% Glass Bead Premix & Drop-On Solutions
Reflective thermoplastic road marking paint remains the global standard for highways, airports, logistics corridors, and urban roads. Its visibility relies heavily on the amount and quality of premix glass beads inside the paint and the drop-on beads applied on the surface during application.
Tianhua Group manufactures thermoplastic paint with adjustable reflective performance, offering 10%, 20%, and 30% premix glass bead content and customizable bead blends for different climates and standards.
Why Glass Beads Matter for Night Visibility
Glass beads provide retro-reflectivity by returning headlight beams back to the driver. In thermoplastic markings, reflectivity is achieved through:
- Premix beads – mixed inside the paint, released as the surface wears
- Drop-on beads – applied on top to provide immediate night visibility
Custom Premix Options: 10% / 20% / 30% Glass Beads
| Type | Premix Content | Typical Use | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Reflective | 10% Glass Beads | Urban roads, parking areas | Cost-effective, smooth surface |
| High Reflective | 20% Glass Beads | Highways, regional roads | Improved durability, stable RL Values |
| Premium Reflective | 30% Glass Beads | Expressways, airport runways, mega projects | High RL values, longer service life, ideal for heavy wear |
We can also customize the percentage according to project requirements, including 15%, 18%, 25%, 28%, or any other specification requested.
Drop-On Glass Beads (Surface Application)
Drop-on beads are applied at the time of marking to guarantee immediate retro-reflectivity. We supply standard and high-performance beads:
- Standard drop-on beads (Sphericity ≥ 80%)
- High-index beads (RI 1.50 – 1.60)
- Moisture-resistant coated beads
- Airport-grade beads
Typical spreading rate: 250–400 g/m² depending on project requirements.
Glass Bead Content Requirements by International Standards
| Standard | Premix Bead Content | Drop-On Bead Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AASHTO (M247)(M249) | 30–40% recommended | Meets Type I / Type II bead spread | Widely used in North America, GCC, Africa |
| BS (British Standard) | ≥ 20% | Glass bead application mandatory | High retro-reflective requirements |
| EN 1871 (Europe) | 18–30% | Class A, B, or C beads | Strict control of bead size distribution |
| SASO (Saudi Arabia) | 20–30% | RI ≥ 1.50 beads required for highways | Designed for desert & high-UV environments |
Customizable Glass Bead Formulation
Different countries, climates, and projects require different degrees of reflectivity. Tianhua Group offers full customization:
- 10% / 20% / 30% premix bead ratio
- Adjustable bead gradation: 100–300 μm, 300–600 μm
- RI 1.50 / 1.60 high-refractive beads
- Coated moisture-resistant beads for humid regions
- Mixed 50:50 or 70:30 blends for special specifications
All products can be tuned to comply with the specific national standard required by your tender documents.
Applications
- Highways & expressways
- Urban road networks
- Airport taxiways & runways
- Industrial zones & logistics centers
- Smart city and ITS road projects
Why Choose Tianhua Group?
- 20+ years of reflective thermoplastic production
- Factory-direct pricing
- OEM & ODM service
- Distributor-friendly policies: ship first + credit terms
- Joint venture factory support worldwide
- Strict quality control aligned with EN, AASHTO, SASO, BS standards
Request Samples or Project Pricing
Contact us for the latest project quotations, export pricing, or customized glass bead formulations.
