If you buy glass beads for road markings, one of the first questions is whether you need drop-on beads or premix (intermix) beads. The two do different jobs, and choosing wrong costs reflectivity, durability or both.
What drop-on beads do
Drop-on (surface-applied) beads are sprayed onto freshly painted or extruded thermoplastic markings. Part of each bead sinks into the binder; the exposed upper half turns headlight beams back toward the driver. They deliver reflectivity immediately after application, which is why they are standard for hot-melt and cold-paint road markings.
What premix beads do
Premix beads are blended into the thermoplastic or paint before application. As traffic wears the surface, new beads are exposed, so the line keeps reflecting for its whole service life. They are typically specified with drop-on beads in a two-layer system.
Quick comparison
- Timing: drop-on = instant reflection; premix = long-term reflection as the line wears.
- Typical use: drop-on for new markings and re-marking; premix for durable thermoplastic layers.
- Grading: regional specs split the two – e.g. EN 1423 covers drop-on beads while EN 1424 covers premix; AASHTO M247 types are often mapped to application method.
How much to apply
Typical field guidance is 300-450 g/m² drop-on for thermoplastic and 250-350 g/m² for paint. Premix loading usually sits between 10% and 20% of the thermoplastic weight. Confirm the ratio with your marking-material supplier and the project spec before ordering.
Buying from Linghang
Linghang (Yongqing Linghang Glass Bead Co., Ltd., Hebei) manufactures drop-on road-marking beads in mesh 20-40 and 20-100, plus premix grades, with roundness ≥80% and refractive index 1.5. High-brightness drop-on beads are available where night visibility is critical. See our road-marking glass beads or premix/composite beads. Grading against AASHTO M247, EN 1423/1424, BS 6088 and GB/T 24722 can be arranged – ask for test reports with your sample.