Citation

Hibbert RF. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1951; 34: 1-2.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1951, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The acrylic plastic, known as methacrylate, has been in good service and continuous exposure for over ten years. It is a retro-reflecting product which has many effective applications for traffic signs and signals and for automotive signs and signals as used on cars, trucks and trailers. Acrylic lens reflector sheet is made up of minute spherical lens sections which are an integral part of it. The lenses are arranged in honeycomb patterns and are correctly spaced to provide 2900 accurately molded lens sections per square inch of surface. A reflecting medium, usually aluminum flake in a vehicle of acrylic lacquer is applied to the back surface of the sheet. The lenses, acting in unison, give the whole reflecting pattern an even, bright appearance, when illuminated and viewed from a normal distance. For general sign production, the reflectorized plastic or acrylic sheet is mounted on metal, plywood, or other backing material with an adhesive. Exposure tests indicate the efficiency of this method. They indicate that neither the adhesive, the plastic, nor the acrylic paint will support fungus or mildew growth. Low maintenance cost appears assured. Acrylic lens sheet performs well under stormy weather conditions and snow does not tend to cling to the surface.