Retroreflective Sheeting Identification Guide

1 Retroreflective Sheeting Identification GuideGeneralThe following information and color table is being provided to inform road authority officials ofthe various types of Retroreflective Sheeting , typical applications, and brand names andmanufacturers. The information is accurate as of the date of printing and subject to change as newmaterials are is hoped that this information will assist the proper officials in making informed decisionsregarding the materials they select for the traffic control devices on their information was obtained from the Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting forTraffic Control, ASTM Designation: D 4956-01, dated January 10, 2001. It has been summarizedto provide the basic information regarding Retroreflective Sheeting types and adhesive backingclasses.

2 Technical information regarding the testing procedures that shall be followed to ensureconformance with ASTM specifications are available in the full version of the afore mentionedspecification. Definitionreboundable Sheeting , n-- Retroreflective material intended to be attached to flexible impactresistant plastic devices, such as traffic drumlike channelizing devicesRequirementsRetroreflective Sheeting shall consist of a white or colored Sheeting having a smooth outer surfaceand that essentially has the property of a retroreflector over its entire surface. There are nine typesand five classes of Retroreflective Sheeting . Types are determined by conformance to the retrore-flectance, color, and durability requirements listed in section of ASTM 4956-01 and may beof any construction providing that those requirements are met.

3 Type designation is provided as ameans for differentiating functional performance. Typical examples of applications are providedfor descriptive information only and are not intended to be limitations or ApplicationsThe typical applications for the Retroreflective Sheeting addressed in this specification are:TypeTypical ApplicationIHighway Signing, construction-zone devices, and delineatorsIIHighway Signing, construction-zone devices, and delineatorsIIIH ighway Signing, construction-zone devices, and delineatorsIVHighway Signing, construction-zone devices, and delineatorsVDelineatorsVITemporary roll-up signs, warning signs, traffic cone collars, and post bandsVIIH ighway Signing, construction-zone devices, and delineatorsVIIIH ighway Signing, construction-zone devices, and delineatorsIXHighway Signing, construction-zone devices, and delineatorsRetroreflective Sheeting TypesRetroreflective Sheeting shall he classified as follows:Type 1--A medium-intensity Retroreflective Sheeting referred to as 'engineering grade" andtypically enclosed lens glass-bead Sheeting .

4 Typical applications for this material arepermanent highway signing, construction zone devices, and II-- A medium-high-intensity Retroreflective Sheeting sometimes referred to as "superengineer grade" and typically enclosed lens glass-bead Sheeting . Typical applicationsfor this material are permanent highway signing, construction zone devices, III-- A high-intensity Retroreflective Sheeting , that is typically encapsulated glass-beadretroreflective material. Typical applications for this material are permanent highwaysigning, construction zone devices, and delineators,Type IV-- A high-intensity Retroreflective Sheeting . This Sheeting is typically an unmetallizedmicroprismatic Retroreflective element material. Typical applications for this materialare permanent highway signing, construction zone devices, and V-- A super-high-intensity Retroreflective Sheeting .

5 This Sheeting is typically a metallizedmicroprismatic Retroreflective element material. This Sheeting is typically used VI-- An elastomerie high-intensity Retroreflective Sheeting without adhesive. This sheetingis typically a vinyl microprismatic Retroreflective material. This Sheeting is typicallyused for orange temporary roll-up warning signs, traffic cone collars, and post VII-- A super-high-intensity Retroreflective Sheeting having highest retroreflectivity charac-teristics at long and medium road distances. This Sheeting is typically an unmetallizedmicroprismatic Retroreflective element material. Typical applications for this materialare permanent highway signing, construction zone devices, and VIII-- A super-high-intensity Retroreflective Sheeting having highest retroreflectivity charac-teristics at long and medium road distances.

6 This Sheeting is typically an unmetallizedmicroprismatic Retroreflective element material. Typical applications for this materialare permanent highway signing, construction zone devices. and IX-- A very-high-intensity Retroreflective Sheeting having highest retroreflectivity charac-teristics at short road distances. This Sheeting is typically an unmetallizedmicroprismatic Retroreflective element material. Typical applications for this materialare permanent highway signing, construction zone devices, and 1 -- All Retroreflective sheetings. but especially microprismatic sheetings, may have uniqueperformance characteristics outside of the range of the standard geometries presented inthe tables that define the types. Certain applications may require the use of a particularproduct within a particular type in order to achieve a desired level of retroreflectivity in agiven situation.

7 In these cases, information concerning additional performance charac-teristics must be Backing ClassesThe backing required for Retroreflective Sheeting Types I through IX shall be classified as follows;Class 1-- The adhesive backing shall be pressure-sensitive, require no heat, solvent, or otherpreparation for adhesion to smooth, clean 2-- The adhesive backing shall have an adhesive that shall be activated by applying heatand pressure to the material. The Class 2 material shall be repositionable under normalshop conditions and at substrate temperatures up to 100oF (38oC) and without damageto the material. The Class 2 material may be perforated to facilitate removal of air inheat-vacuum laminators, but the perforations must be of a size and frequency such thatthey do not cause objectionable blemishes when the Sheeting is 3-- The adhesive backing shall have a positionable low-tack pressure-sensitive adhesivethat requires no heat, solvent, or other preparation for adhesion to smooth, cleansurfaces.

8 It shall be repositionable up to a temperature of 100oF (38oC) withoutdamage to the 4 --The adhesive backing shall have a low-temperature pressure-sensitive adhesive thatpermits Sheeting applications at temperatures down to +20oF (-7oC) without the aidof heat, solvent, or other preparation for adhesion to smooth, dry, clean 5-- This shall be a nonadhesive backing made of material commercially used for self-supporting products such as traffic cones, temporary roll-up warning signs, and 1000 ReflexiteBarrier DelineatorsSeries 6000 Avery DennisonRigid SurfaceHigh Impact ChannelizerTapeReflexiteReboundable Devices22000 SeriesKiwaliteRigid SurfaceHigh Performance Ultra LiteGrade II (ULG II)Nippon CarbideRigid SurfaceWR - 6100 Avery DennisonReboundable DevicesHigh IntensityLG LiteRigid SurfaceHigh IntensityATSMR igid SurfaceHigh Intensity3 MSymbols used for special applications:Signs(Temporary)TubesConesD rumsSuper Engineer Grade - Identical in appearanceto Type I except for addition of identifyingmarks as DennisonCommonly referred to as Engineer Grade.

9 Enclosed lens glass bead materials have a uniform appearance without any patternor identifying marks. It is indistinguishable from grades lower in reflectivity and durability such as utility and commercial :Photographs show the Sheeting pattern at actual depict watermark visible on Sheeting when viewed up close (not shown at actual size).The Type designations used in this Guide are ASTM D4956-01 classificationsFHWA does not endorse or approve any material nor does it determine what type category(s) may colors are not currently defined by ASTM stated by Engineer Grade - Identical in appearanceto Type I except for addition of identifyingmarks as CarbideAP 1000 ReflexiteRailroad Sign Backs andSupports, End ofRoad BarricadeIVIIIIIIASTMTypeRetroreflective Sheeting Identification GuideCurrent as of 11/16/2001 VSeries 6000 Avery DennisonRigid SurfaceSeries 5000 Avery DennisonRigid SurfaceDiamondGradeVIP3 MRigid SurfaceResilienceChannelizedTapeReflexit eReboundable DevicesDiamond GradeNAP3 MRigid SurfaceSeries 7000 AveryDennisonRigid SurfaceCrystal GradeNippon CarbideRigid SurfaceDiamondGradeLDP3 MRigid SurfacePreformed Cone CollarReflexiteConesWU-6014 Avery DennisonRoll-Up SignsSeries RS203 MRoll-Up Signs3840 Cone Sleeves3 MConesFlagging MaterialReflexiteNighttime FlaggingSuper Bright FluorescentReflexiteRoll-Up SignsSeries RS303 MRoll-Up SignsHigh Performance(Marathon fluorescent )ReflexiteRoll-Up Signs* The materials in Unassigned/Proposed box have yet to be information.

10 Developed by the Federal Highway Administration SystemReflexiteTemporary Rigid SignsIXVIIIVIIVI*Unassigned/Propos