Road-marking glass beads are sold by standard as much as by diameter. Buyers in the US, Europe and the UK quote three main documents, and knowing which one your destination expects saves a lot of back-and-forth.
AASHTO M247 (United States)
AASHTO M247 covers glass beads for pavement markings, dividing them into types based on particle-size distribution (often used as Type I / II / III in tenders). It focuses on roundness, cleanliness and grading. If you supply state DOT or airport projects in the US, expect M247 to be named in the spec.
EN 1423 / EN 1424 (Europe)
EN 1423 governs drop-on beads applied to road markings; EN 1424 covers premix beads. European buyers – especially in Germany, the UK and Scandinavia – increasingly require EN 1423 certification and third-party test evidence as a condition of supply.
BS 6088 (United Kingdom)
BS 6088 splits road-marking glass beads into grades (A and B) with defined size bands and roundness levels. It is still widely referenced in UK specifications alongside the newer EN documents.
Other markets at a glance
- Japan: JIS R 3301 | Korea: KS L 2521
- Australia / NZ: AS/NZS 2009 | Brazil: ABNT NBR 6831 / NBR 16184
- China: GB/T 24722
Practical tip for buyers
Ask for the exact type/grade plus the size range before ordering – two tenders that both say “M247” can need different mesh cuts. A reliable supplier will confirm grading on the batch and give test reports.
Linghang manufactures drop-on and premix road-marking beads in mesh 20-100 with R.I. 1.5 and roundness ≥80%, and can align grading with M247, EN 1423/1424, BS 6088 and GB/T 24722 expectations. Contact us with your project standard and target country for a quote.