Two Component Road Marking Method

Two components marking paint consists of cold plastic paint and curing agent. When marking, the two components are mixed immediately before application to form the pavement marking. The service life of two component pavement marking normally ranges between 2 and 4 years based on traffic volumes.

Two-component pavement marking is used for marking project that need to be quickly applied such as car parks, road crossing and edge lines. The paint can be curing within 5-30 minutes depending on application method.

Two components marking have excellent performance on asphalt surfaces and are very resistant to snow plowing. Two component marking system is widely used in cold weather areas such as northern Europe.

Two component pavement marking paint is considered very expensive compared to other materials. In addition, special equipment is needed for applying two component pavement markings.

Two component road marking machine is equipped with two high pressure diaphragm pumps: one for cold plastic paint and another for curing agent. Changing the angle of two pumps will adjust the intersection point of paint and curing agent. While mixed, the curing agent will accelerate the forming speed of polymer methyl methacrylate pavement markings.

Two component marking system has many advantages compare to thermoplastic and cold solvent marking:

1. Quick applying. Rapid curing for less road blocking.

2. Exceptional adhesion to a variety of road substrates such as concrete and asphalt surfaces.

3. High retro-reflective. Glass beads and paint are tightly mixed.

4. Excellent weather resistance. Keep excellent performance in all temperature and weather.

5. Great wear and stain resistance. Long service life in poor conditions.

6. Environment friendly. Without solvent, the paint has little damage to environment.

Despite so many advantages, the cost of two component road marking is considered very expensive compared to other marking methods. Curing agent and special designed machines significantly increased the cost of road marking project. The structure of two component marking equipment is very complex, which leading to high maintenance cost. These all limit the application of this advanced marking method.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Road Marking Tapes

Pavement marking materials mainly consist of thermoplastic paint, cold solvent paint and marking tapes. Thermoplastic paint and cold solvent paint are the most common materials for line marking projects. However, pavement tapes, a new marking method, have been widely used in urban road construction.

Thermoplastic paint is the most common used materials for line marking. It has advantages of long life on high volume road, quick set time, good night time visibility and excellent durability. However, pavement surface condition is an important factor that affects the performance. The road surface must be clean enough. It requires specialized installation equipment, which increase the initial cost of whole road marking project.

Cold solvent and waterborne paint cost less than thermoplastic paint. Apply and clean-up of them is also very easy. But the service life in high volume traffic road is much shorter. It also doesn’t adhere well to concrete road.

Pavement marking tapes can be divided into temporary tapes and permanent tapes. The main materials of tapes are flexible polymer, synthetic rubber and thermoplastic paint etc.

Removable road marking tapes can also be used in road construction sites as temporary markers. The tapes can be placed to shift the lanes and black tapes can be used to temporarily blackout the existing markings. At the end of the constructions or within 6 months, the tapes can be pulled out off the surface without using heat, solvents, or machines. Temporary marking tapes are ideal for short-term applications such as work zones.

Permanent tapes are designed to be long-term durable road markings capable of providing 5 to 8+ years of service life. The tapes are mainly used for marking edge lines, centerlines, legends and symbols.

Thermoplastic paint tapes, the latest launched permanent pavement tapes which are made from thermoplastic paint. Put tapes in correct place and melt, the tapes will conform and bond to the road surface.

Advantages of permanent road marking tapes:

1.       Easily installed without special equipment.

2.       Durable. Providing 5 to 8 years of service life depending on the traffic environment.

3.       High retro-reflectivity.

4.       Environment friendly. Little damage to local environment and workers.

Pavement marking tapes also have some disadvantages: high initial cost and not suitable for old roads in poor conditions. The two factors limit the application of marking tapes.

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