What factors most affect the brightness of reflective powder?
17 Jun 2025
Reflective powder (Other name: Reflective Pigment) is a functional reflective material widely used in the fields of traffic safety, industrial identification, night protection clothing, etc. Of course, reflective powder is also used in some daily life scenes, such as clothing design, umbrellas, car or bicycle decorative strips, and other decorative purposes. Unlike ordinary decorative glitter powder, reflective powder achieves directional reflection through a special optical structure and can still maintain high visibility in low light environments.
So, what factors really determine the brightness performance of reflective powder?
1. The essential difference between reflective powder and glitter powder
Before discussing the brightness factor, we must first clarify:
Reflective powder (Reflective Pigment):
Material: glass beads or prism crystal structure
Principle: directional reflection of light
Use: professional fields such as traffic safety and night protection
Glitter powder (sparkling Powder):
Material: plastic flakes, or biodegradable materials
Principle: diffuse reflection
Use: decoration, crafts, etc.
2. Six key factors affecting the brightness of reflective powder
2-1. Core materials and manufacturing process
The brightness of reflective powder depends first on its core material:
Glass bead type:
Particle size range: 30-150 microns
Refractive index: 1.5-1.9
Features: low cost, widely used in road markings
Prism crystal type:
Material: strontium titanate, aluminum oxide, etc.
Refractive index: up to 2.0 or more
Features: higher reflection efficiency, used in high-end safety equipment
Process influence:
Surface coating (aluminum, silver) can increase reflectivity by 20-30%
High-precision sphericity ensures uniform reflection of light
2-2. Scientific ratio of color and particle size
Color selection
High brightness: silver, white (reflectivity>85%)
Warning color: yellow, orange (reflectivity 70-80%)
Low brightness: dark colors (reflectivity <50%)
Particle size control
Large particle size (100-150μm):
Good visibility at long distance
Suitable for road signs
Small particle size (30-50μm):
Flatter surface
Suitable for clothing printing
2-3. Surface treatment technology
Advanced surface treatment can significantly improve performance:
Hydrophobic coating: waterproof and moisture-proof
UV stabilizer: anti-ultraviolet aging
Anti-oxidation layer: extend service life
2-4. Optical design principle
Reflective efficiency follows the law of optics:
Optimal incident angle: 30-45 degrees
Retroreflectivity: qualified products need to be>300cd/lx/m²
Wide-angle characteristics: high-quality products still maintain 50% brightness at a 60-degree viewing angle
2-5. Professional construction technology
The correct application method determines the final effect:
Substrate selection:
Best: white or light-colored substrate
Avoid: dark absorption background
Adhesive matching:
Recommended: polyurethane, epoxy resin
Avoid: acidic solvents
Construction parameters:
Spraying pressure: 0.3-0.5MPa
Curing temperature: 60-80℃
2-6. Environmental considerations
The impact of environmental factors on brightness:
Environmental factors
|
Impact degree
|
Solution
|
Ultraviolet rays
|
★★★★
|
Add UV absorber
|
Humidity
|
★★★
|
Hydrophobic treatment
|
Mechanical wear
|
★★★★
|
Add wear-resistant coating
|
Temperature change
|
★★
|
Choose heat-resistant resin
|
3. How to choose high-quality reflective powder
1. Professional certification standards
Traffic field: EN 1436 (road marking)
Personal protection: EN ISO 20471 (high-visibility clothing)
Industrial grade: ASTM E809 (reflective material test)
2. Actual test method
Simple three-step test method:
Flashlight test: 1 meter away, 30-degree angle
Water washing test: Check the shedding rate after 5 cycles
Outdoor exposure: Observe 30-day weather resistance
3. Cost-effectiveness analysis
Type
|
Price range
|
Applicable scenarios
|
Economic type
|
Low level
|
Temporary signs
|
Industrial grade
|
Middle level
|
Road markings
|
Professional grade
|
High level
|
Aviation and navigation
|
4. FAQ
Q: How long is the life of reflective powder?
A: Reflective powder usually has a long service life of more than 20 years. However, the actual service life will be affected by environmental factors. For example, long-term exposure to harsh conditions such as ultraviolet rays and rain may shorten the service life.
Q: Can I mix the color myself?
A: Yes, but it will reduce the reflectivity. It is recommended to choose pre-colored products.
Q: Will the reflective effect weaken over time?
A: Yes, mainly due to surface wear and material aging, regular maintenance is important.
In general, when choosing reflective powder, we should not only consider the initial brightness, but also pay attention to its lasting performance in different environments. It is recommended to choose professionally certified products according to specific application scenarios and strictly follow the construction specifications to ensure the best reflective effect and safety performance.
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