technology

There are two major types of retroreflective materials available on the market today -
glass bead and microprism.

In a glass bead system (Diagram 1), light strikes the back surface of the bead and is returned to its source. In contrast, light strikes each of the three surfaces of the Reflexite microprism (Diagram 2) in turn, before returning to its source. Because the microprism provides more reflective surface area than a glass bead, microprisms reflect up to 250 percent more light than glass beads.



Retroreflective efficiency is enhanced by the precise arrangement of the microprisms, as seen in a microscopic view. Compare random size and placement of the glass beads (Diagram 3) with the precise uniformity of the Reflexite microprism array (Diagram 4). The microprism's economical use of surface area delivers the highest standard of reflection.


With more than 35 years of research and development efforts behind us, Reflexite's technology is continuing to bring new standards of brightness, performance, and quality to the reflective products industry.