Zhengzhou, Henan, China [email protected]

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Reflective Glass Beads

Reflective Glass Beads

China's Leading Exporter of Road Marking Materials - Trusted Worldwide

Widely Used For Roads & Highways, Parking & Commercial Areas, Airports & Transport Hubs, Public & Private Properties, Special Road Markings

Types Drop-on Glass Beads/Intermix Glass Beads

Free Samples‌ 3-Day Global Shipping (No Hidden Costs)

Standard AASHTO/ABNT NBR/EN1424/BS6088/KSL 2521/JIS R3301

MOQ 500kg, Fast Delivery: 7-15 Days

Why Do Road Markings Glow at Night?

Have you ever wondered why road markings appear to glow when driving at night? Although they may look like ordinary lines during the day, they become highly visible in the dark.

This effect is due to glass beads embedded in the road marking paint. When vehicle headlights shine on the markings, the glass beads reflect the light, making the lines appear illuminated.

Glass beads are the primary reflective material in road marking coatings, ensuring that drivers can clearly see the road ahead even in areas without streetlights.

Key Factors for Evaluating Glass Bead Quality

  • Transparency : The higher the transparency, the less light energy is lost when entering and exiting the glass bead. Higher transparency means better reflectivity and overall quality.
  • Sphericity (Roundness Ratio) : According to industry standards, the roundness ratio should not be lower than 80%. Higher roundness leads to better reflectivity and superior performance in road markings.
  • Purity & Cleanliness : The fewer impurities, the better the reflectivity. High-purity glass beads offer enhanced brightness and durability, making them more effective in night-time visibility.
  • By choosing high-quality glass beads, road markings can maintain strong reflectivity and durability, ensuring safer driving conditions, especially at night.

20FT Container

  • Using pallets: Max. 27 tons
  • Pallet free: Max.28 tons

Color Customized

White/Yellow/Blue/Other Colors

We welcome sample requests.

Road marking paint plays a vital role in traffic management, improving safety, efficiency, and organization across different environments. From highways to urban roads, and even specialized areas like transport hubs and industrial zones, high-quality road markings enhance visibility and guide road users effectively.

Item Specification
Product Type Reflective Glass Beads for Road Marking
Appearance Clear, transparent, spherical beads
Size Range 20 μm – 180 μm (depending on application)
Refractive Index ≥ 1.50
Specific Gravity 2.40 – 2.60 g/cm³
Compressive Strength ≥ 10 MPa
Surface Texture Smooth and spherical for optimal retro-reflectivity
Reflectivity ≥ 70% (measured at 30° entrance angle, 0.2° observation angle)
Refractive Index of Binder 1.5 – 1.9 (common range)
Color Clear, transparent, or customized colors upon request
Moisture Content ≤ 0.1%
Application Method Sprinkling on wet road marking paint or mixing with thermoplastic paint
Usage Enhances reflectivity of road markings, used in both day and night visibility
Applications Road markings, pedestrian crossings, lane delineation, traffic signs, airport markings
Packaging 25 kg bags, 500 kg jumbo bags, or customized
Storage Store in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight
Certification ISO 9001, CE
Tianhua Group Vs Other Brand Reflective Glass Beads

Factory Strength

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

  • Types of Reflective Glass Beads

    Reflective glass beads for road markings are classified based on their application method: Drop-on Glass Beads These beads are sprinkled onto the surface of the road marking paint while it is still wet. Due to gravity, some of the beads partially embed into the coating, creating an immediate reflective effect. Intermix Glass Beads These beads are pre-mixed into the marking paint before application. As a result, they are more securely bonded to the paint and less likely to wear off, ensuring long-term reflectivity throughout the lifespan of the road marking.

  • What are reflective glass beads used for?

    Our high-index glass beads are engineered for road safety and industrial applications. When embedded in traffic paint or thermoplastic markings, they reflect headlights at night, improving visibility for drivers. They're also used in airport runways, high-visibility clothing, and industrial coatings where retroreflective properties are critical.

  • How do I choose the right size glass beads for road markings?‌

    The size you choose will depend on your particular application: 0.7-1.0mm beads‌ work best for water-based paints, 1.5-2.0mm beads‌ are ideal for thermoplastic applications, 2.5-3.0mm beads‌ perform optimally in heavy-traffic areas, Our technical team can provide free gradation charts and ASTM E11 compliance documentation upon request.

  • Are your glass beads weather-resistant?‌

    Yes, our beads undergo a specialized surface treatment process that increases alkali resistance by 40% compared to standard beads. Independent testing shows 92% reflectivity retention after 18 months in harsh climates.

  • Do your products meet international safety standards?‌

    All batches are certified to EN1423/1424 (Europe), AASHTO M247 (USA), and JIS R3301 (Japan) standards. Our ISO 9001:2015 certified facility conducts three quality checks: raw material screening, mid-production refraction testing, and final batch moisture analysis (<0.3% humidity threshold).

Innovative Solutions & Applications

Highway markings

Superior Reflective Performance

Urban road markings

Optimized Safety Solutions

Industrial park road markings

Engineered Industrial Durability

Parking lot markings

Rapid Application Technology

Park road markings

Eco-Friendly Aesthetic Appeal

Playground track markings

Vibrant, Long-Lasting Markings

Port road markings

Robust Corrosion Protection

Airport road markings

High Visibility Assurance

Customer Testimonials

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Contact Info

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[email protected]
Call Anytime
+8613910832929
Locations
4TH FLOOR, SOUTH BUILDING 15C, WEST 3RD RING RD, ZHENGZHOU, CHINA