AS/NZS CH-003 Glass beads for pavement-marking materials

During production of paints, qualified glass beads will be mixed into them as certain proportion required by standards.Certain proportion glass beads will be dropped on during application of paint on road, which has been mixed with glass beads, before they are dry. Under the effect of gravity of glass beads itself, the glass beads will inlaid into paint by part of their surface. When the car light attaches such kind of road marking lines, the light will be reflected back to the eyes of driver to increase driving safety at night.

The glass bead can be separated as Intermix Glass Beads and Drop-on Glass Beads according to the usage of them, and also can be devided as moisture-proof beads, adhesive coating beads and dual-coated beads.

SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR GLASS BEADS

5.5 Shape

5.5.1 General

Beads shall be tested for roundness in accordance with Clause 5.5.2 or Clause 5.5.3, as

appropriate.

5.5.2 Type A beads

When Type A beads are optically examined for roundness in accordance with Appendix E

after being conditioned in an open container for 24 h, the rounds shall be at least 80% by

count.

5.5.3 Type B, C and D beads

When Type B, C or D beads are tested for roundness in accordance with Appendix D, after

being conditioned in an open container (see Note 1) for at least 24 h, the `rounds` shall be

at least 70% by mass.

NOTES:

1 Containers should be used which avoid the build-up of electrostatic charges and allow free

flow.

2 Test a minimum of 5 g of Type B or C, or a minimum of 15 g of Type D beads, where

applicable.

5.6 Colour

When a sample of beads is tested in accordance with Appendix F, the colour shall be lighter

than the reference Standard.

NOTE: This procedure is aimed at detecting coloured glass, which if present, may interfere with

the retroreflective properties of the beads.