Anti-Skid High Retroreflectivity Preformed Thermoplastic Composites for Runway Applications

Abstract

Disclosed is an alkyd or hydrocarbon resin-based pre-manufactured thermoplastic airport runway signage that is applied in relatively large sections onto an airport runway where the alkyd or hydrocarbon resin-based composite includes a functionalized wax incorporated in the resin-based composite within the range of 0.2 to 3 percent by weight, thereby allowing the resin-based composite to exist in a molten state within a viscosity range of between 35,000 and 85,000 centipoise and wherein the top surface provides an area for surface indicia materials existing on the top surface together with retroreflective glass beads with an index of refraction of 1.9 such that when the beads are suspended in and applied on the surface of the resin-based composite in a molten state the beads do not sink into the resin-based composite provide for allowing and maintaining an overall retroreflectivity of about 1000 millicandellas/m.sup.2/lux (mcd).

Claims

1. A method for adhering large surfaces of thermoplastic signage to a suitable aviation substrate comprising; an alkyd or hydrocarbon resin-based composite wherein said large substrates include a bottom surface and a top surface and edges that surround the perimeter of and are attached to said bottom surface and said top surface, wherein said bottom surface is covered with a two-part sealer treatment; said sealer treatment provided within a viscosity range of between 50 and 500 centipoise for optimal bonding of said alkyd or hydrocarbon-resin based composite to said large substrate, wherein said composite includes a functionalized wax incorporated in said resin-based composite within the range of 0.2 to 3 percent by weight, thereby allowing said resin-based composite to exist in a molten state within a viscosity range of between 35,000 and 85,000 centipoise and wherein said top surface provides an area for surface indicia materials existing on said top surface together with retroreflective glass beads, wherein said glass beads are within a particle size distribution of between 300 and 1180 microns and within a density range of 3.5 to 4.5 grams per cubic centimeter, and wherein said beads exhibit an index of refraction of 1.9 such that when said beads are suspended in and applied on the surface of said resin-based composite in said molten state such that said beads do not sink into said resin-based composite and said beads allow for maintaining an overall retroretroreflectivity of about 1000 millicandellas/m.sup.2/lux (mcd), and wherein said resin-based composite is forming a continuous sheet wound onto a take-up spool and wherein said resin-based composite is subsequently unwound providing positioning and conformity to said large substrates and subsequently heating said signage to a predetermined temperature providing optimal adhesion of said resin-based composite to said large substrate; and wherein said signage includes features allowing said edges of said signage to physically interconnect and interlock with edges of other signage with the same or other features allowing for winding or unwinding of said continuous sheet from spools for specific transportation and site placement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] FIG. 1 is an isometric cross-section of the pre-manufactured thermoplastic signage with optional temperature indicating features.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a graphical presentation of the stability of the viscosity of the preformed thermoplastic incorporating a functionalized wax of acrylic acid copolymer, as opposed to compositions not including the use of such waxes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] FIG. 1 is an isometric cross section of the thermoplastic signage [100] with temperature indicating feature such as, but not limited to, an indent [110], a dimple [120] or a bump [130] or any other heat deformable marker that visibly deforms when heating elevates the temperature of the thermoplastic signage [100] to a desired temperature. When the desired temperature is reached the temperature indicating feature [110, 120, 130] visibly reforms becoming a blended surface according to the traffic surface shape to which it applied. Adhesive [140] is relatively thin and flexible and utilizes a low viscosity (50-500 cP) polyurea epoxy primer such as is available from ChemCo Systems.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a graphical presentation of the stability of the viscosity of the preformed thermoplastic incorporating a functionalized wax of acrylic acid copolymer, for example AC-575, over a substantially wide temperature range (120-200 C.) as opposed to compositions not including the use of such waxes. The viscosity of AirMark V121108 with no AC-575 is shown to be substantially less stable at higher temperatures than the viscosity of AM white 1.9 S1051810 with AC-575.