AASHTO M247 Type I Drop-On Glass Beads
AASHTO M247 Type I Drop-On Glass Beads
OMNI AASHTO M247 Type I Drop-On Glass Beads are high-quality reflective glass microspheres designed for road marking applications. Manufactured from selected soda-lime glass, these transparent spherical beads are applied onto freshly painted road markings to enhance nighttime visibility and improve traffic safety.
In accordance with the AASHTO M247 Type I specification, our glass beads are designed to provide reliable retroreflective performance through controlled particle size distribution, good sphericity, and consistent optical properties.
When vehicle headlights strike the exposed surfaces of the glass beads, light is redirected toward its source, making road markings more visible to drivers at night.
OMNI supplies Type I Drop-On Glass Beads for highway marking, urban roads, parking lots, pedestrian crossings, and other traffic safety applications.
Key Features & Advantages
Excellent Sphericity
Uniform spherical particles help ensure effective light refraction and consistent retroreflective performance.
Reliable Nighttime Visibility
Reflects vehicle headlights toward drivers, improving road marking visibility in low-light conditions.
Consistent Particle Size
Controlled screening and grading support uniform application and stable performance.
Wide Paint Compatibility
Suitable for compatible thermoplastic, water-based, and solvent-based road marking materials.
Strict Quality Control
Particle size, appearance, roundness, and other key parameters are inspected to ensure batch consistency.
Technical Specifications
Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
Product Name | AASHTO M247 Type I Glass Beads |
Application Type | Drop-On |
Material | Soda-Lime Glass |
Appearance | Transparent, Clear & Colorless |
Shape | Spherical |
Roundness | ≥ 70% True Spheres |
Refractive Index | ≥ 1.50 |
Specific Gravity | 2.4–2.6 |
Crushing Resistance | ≥ 133 N (30 lbs) |
Moisture Resistance | Available |
Coating | Moisture-Resistant / Adhesion-Promoting |
Application | Road Marking Paint |
Packaging | 25 kg bags / 1,000 kg jumbo bags |
AASHTO M247 Type I Particle Size Distribution
The following is a commonly referenced Type I standard gradation based on AASHTO M247-11.
US Sieve No. | Opening Size (μm) | Mass % Passing |
|---|---|---|
No. 16 | 1,180 | 100 |
No. 20 | 850 | 95–100 |
No. 30 | 600 | 75–95 |
No. 50 | 300 | 15–35 |
No. 100 | 150 | 0–5 |
Drop-On Glass Beads vs. Intermix Glass Beads
OMNI AASHTO M247 Type I Drop-On Glass Beads are designed for surface application, helping improve nighttime visibility and road marking performance.
Application Areas
Highway and expressway lane markings
Urban and municipal road markings
Pedestrian crossings and zebra crossings
Parking lots and commercial areas
Airport runways and traffic guidance markings, subject to project specifications
Thermoplastic and liquid traffic paint systems
Quality Control & Testing
OMNI maintains strict quality control throughout the manufacturing process.
Inspection Item | Testing / Control |
|---|---|
Appearance | Visual inspection |
Particle Size | Sieve analysis |
Roundness | ASTM D1155 |
Refractive Index | Liquid immersion method |
Crushing Resistance | Crushing resistance test |
Moisture Resistance | Free-flow test |
Packaging | Weight and sealing inspection |
Our quality control focuses on particle uniformity, spherical shape, optical properties, and free-flowing characteristics to ensure reliable application performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is AASHTO M247 Type I Glass Beads?
AASHTO M247 Type I is a standard gradation classification of glass beads used in reflective pavement markings. It is commonly used for drop-on and intermix applications, depending on the project requirements.
Q2: What is the difference between Type I and Type II glass beads?
Type I uses a standard particle size gradation, while Type II uses a more uniform particle size distribution. Both are designed for reflective road marking applications.
Q3: What is the refractive index of Type I glass beads?
The commonly specified minimum refractive index is 1.50.
Q4: Can Type I glass beads be used with thermoplastic paint?
Yes. They can be applied onto compatible freshly laid thermoplastic road markings to improve nighttime retroreflectivity.
Q5: Can you provide moisture-resistant coated glass beads?
Yes. OMNI offers customized coatings to improve moisture resistance, flowability, and compatibility with different road marking materials.
Q6: Do you provide AASHTO M247 test reports?
Yes. We can provide product specifications, quality inspection reports, and available test documentation according to customer requirements.
Why Choose OMNI?
10+ years of manufacturing and international trade experience.
Annual production capacity exceeding 20,000 tons.
Factory area exceeding 5,000 m².
ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.
Professional particle size screening and quality inspection.
Customized coatings, particle sizes, and packaging.
Reliable bulk supply for global road marking projects.
