JT/T280-2004 The Versatile and Environmentally Friendly Choice for
Outdoor Coating Applications Thermoplastic Paint
What is Thermoplastic Paint?
Thermoplastic paint is a type of coating material that has unique
characteristics due to its thermoplastic nature.
At room temperature, it is usually in a solid state. It is composed
of thermoplastic resins (such as hydrocarbon resins), pigments for
color, fillers, and various additives. When heated to a specific
temperature range (commonly between 180 - 230°C), it melts into a
viscous liquid that can be easily applied to surfaces.
Once applied, as it cools, it solidifies again, forming a durable
and hard coating. It's widely used in applications such as road
markings. For example, the thermoplastic paint used for painting
lines on roads provides clear visual guidance for traffic. Some
thermoplastic paints also have reflective properties (with the
inclusion of glass beads) to enhance visibility, especially in low
- light conditions like at night. It has good adhesion to surfaces
like asphalt and concrete and can withstand abrasion, weather
conditions, and heavy traffic, making it a long - lasting choice
for many outdoor coating applications.
Advantages of Thermoplastic Paint
The advantages of thermoplastic paint are as follows:
1. Good adhesion: It can firmly adhere to various substrates such as asphalt and
concrete, ensuring the integrity and clarity of the markings for a
long time. This is crucial for the durability and legibility of
road markings.
2. Long service life: The material is highly resistant to abrasion, impact, and
weathering. It can maintain its performance and appearance for an
extended period, reducing the need for frequent reapplication and
saving maintenance costs. For example, in high-traffic areas,
thermoplastic paint can withstand the continuous wear and tear of
vehicles.
3. Quick drying: After application, it solidifies rapidly, usually within a few
minutes. This allows for quick completion of the painting work and
minimizes the disruption to traffic or other activities. It is
especially important for road construction and maintenance projects
where minimizing traffic congestion is a priority.
4. Bright color and good visibility: The paint can provide vivid colors, making the markings highly
visible during the day. Additionally, when glass beads are added,
it has excellent reflective properties at night, enhancing the
safety of driving by enabling drivers to clearly see the markings
even in low-light conditions.
5. Wide application range: It is suitable for a variety of surfaces and locations, including
roads, parking lots, airports, and other transportation facilities.
It can be used to mark different types of lines, such as lane
dividers, stop lines, pedestrian crossings, and parking spaces.
6. Cost-effective: Although the initial investment in equipment and materials may be
relatively high, considering its long service life and low
maintenance requirements, it is cost-effective in the long run.
Moreover, the availability of raw materials and the maturity of
production technology contribute to its relatively stable price.
7. Environmental adaptability: It can perform well in different environmental conditions, such as
high and low temperatures, humidity, and rain. It is not easily
affected by extreme weather, ensuring the stability and reliability
of the markings.
Thermoplastic Paint Application Processes
1. Surface Preparation
- Before applying hot - melt coating, it's crucial to prepare the
surface properly. The surface should be clean, dry, and free from
dust, grease, and other contaminants. For example, in road -
marking applications, the road surface is usually swept and washed
to remove debris and oils. Any loose materials or old coatings that
may affect the adhesion of the new coating need to be removed. This
can be done through methods such as sandblasting for more stubborn
old coatings or using a high - pressure water jet.
2. Melting the Coating
- The hot - melt coating is usually in a solid state at room
temperature. It needs to be heated to a molten state for
application. The coating is placed in a special heating device,
such as a hot - melt kettle. The temperature is carefully
controlled according to the type of coating and the manufacturer's
instructions. Generally, the temperature range is between 180 -
230°C (356 - 446°F). During the heating process, the coating
gradually melts and becomes a viscous liquid. Stirring is often
required to ensure the even distribution of all components and to
prevent local over - heating or burning of the coating.
3. Application Methods
(a) Spraying
- Spraying is a common method when a smooth and even coating is
required over a large area. The molten coating is pumped through a
hose to a spray gun. The spray gun atomizes the coating into fine
droplets and sprays it onto the surface. The pressure and nozzle
settings of the spray gun need to be adjusted according to the
viscosity of the coating and the desired thickness of the coating.
The distance between the spray gun and the surface also affects the
quality of the sprayed coating. Usually, a distance of about 20 -
30 cm (7.9 - 11.8 inches) is maintained to ensure proper
atomization and coverage.
- One advantage of spraying is that it can cover complex shapes and
uneven surfaces relatively easily. However, it requires careful
control of the spraying parameters to avoid over - spraying or an
uneven coating due to wind or other factors.
(b) Scraping
- Scraping is suitable for applications where a thicker and more
precisely shaped coating is needed. A tool such as a squeegee or a
trowel is used. The molten coating is poured onto the surface and
then spread and shaped by the scraping tool. The operator needs to
have a certain level of skill to ensure the coating has a uniform
thickness and smooth surface. For example, in creating road
markings such as zebra crossings, the scraping method is often used
to ensure the lines have the correct width and thickness.
- The thickness of the coating by scraping can be adjusted
according to the specific requirements. Usually, the thickness can
range from a few millimeters to several centimeters, depending on
the purpose of the coating.
(c) Extrusion
- Extrusion is mainly used for creating three - dimensional or
raised profiles of the coating. The molten coating is forced
through a shaped die or nozzle. This method is often used in making
raised pavement markers or other safety - related markings that
need to be more prominent. The extrusion rate and the shape of the
die determine the final shape and size of the extruded coating. The
temperature and viscosity of the coating need to be carefully
controlled to ensure a continuous and smooth extrusion process.
4. Cooling and Solidification
- After the coating is applied, it needs to cool and solidify to
form a durable layer. The cooling process is usually a natural
process that depends on the ambient temperature. In some cases,
especially in industrial applications where a faster production
cycle is required, forced - air cooling or other cooling methods
may be used. As the coating cools, it gradually returns to a solid
state, and its physical and chemical properties such as hardness
and adhesion are fully developed.
- The time required for cooling and solidification varies depending
on the thickness of the coating, the ambient temperature, and the
type of coating. Thicker coatings generally take longer to
solidify. For example, a thin - sprayed coating may solidify within
a few minutes, while a thick - scraped or extruded coating may take
tens of minutes to an hour or more to fully solidify.
5. Post - treatment (if necessary)
- In some cases, post - treatment may be required to improve the
performance of the coating. For example, in reflective coatings,
after the base coating has solidified, glass beads are sometimes
spread on the surface to enhance the night - time reflective
effect. The beads are carefully distributed and pressed into the
surface to ensure good adhesion and maximum reflectivity. Another
possible post - treatment is the application of a protective
topcoat in some high - wear or high - exposure applications to
further enhance the durability and chemical resistance of the
coating.
Technical Specification
| Density(g/cm3) | 1.8-2.3 |
| Softening point (℃) | 90-125 |
| Compressive Strength(MPa) | ≥12 |
| Glass bead content(%) | 0-30% |
| Liquidity | 35±10 |
| Packing | 25kg/bag |
| Color | White/Yellow/Blue/Red/Green/Customized |
| Executive standard | JT/T280-2004/AASHTO/BS3262/Customized |
| Appearance | Powder |
| Construction temperature | 180℃-220℃ |
| Whiteness | 70-85(Customized) |
| Inverse coefficient | 50-550 |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Storage Method | Avoid light and moisture |
| Packing Size | 45×70×5CM |
