History of Reflective Tape – Who Invented it? (Summary – 3m invented glass bead reflective tape in the 1930’s and Reflexite invented micro-prismatic reflective in the 1960’s.) Lets start with the basics. Reflectivity was not invented. It has always been present in nature. Light bouncing off of objects is why we are able to see those objects. Retro-Reflectivity has also always been present in nature. A cats eye is an example of this phenomenon. (parabolic lens creates a retro reflective surface) So retro reflectivity was discovered, not invented. What was invented was an artificial way to reproduce these characteristics in a usable form. There have been two breakthroughs in the technology of retro-reflectivity. The first is the perfectly spherical glass bead and the second is the man made prism. Both of these discoveries play a big part in the history of reflective surfaces and tape. Lets start with the glass bead. At first, glass beads were applied to the surface of signs and left exposed. The reflectivity achieved was low and in rain it was even lower. Also, over time, dirt would build up between the beads and further limit visibility. This experimentation was a start, but further improvements were needed. In 1937, 3m began developing a film that utilized glass beads bonded to a flexible surface. Their intention was to use this tape on road surfaces but after some durability issues they switched their focus to road signs. To create a brighter tape, 3m created a base layer or film that was a silver color like what is on the back of a mirror. They then applied glass beads to this surface so that about half the bead was embedded in the silver and half was exposed. The silver backing turned the back of the bead into a mirror and the shape of the bead provided for the return of light back to the source. To protect the reflecting beads, a clear layer was applied. This resulted in a much brighter product. The clear layer kept the beads protected and made the tape visible even when it rained. (Note – by tinting the top coat, different colors were created) In 1939, 3m introduced what was known then and today as “engineer grade” reflective sheeting. It was first used in trials in Minneapolis and then in the UK. Later, improvements in engineer grade tape would be made by using advanced mirroring techniques and higher index beads. Also, variations in the top layer allowed some versions to stretch and conform and others to be stiffer. The type that conforms is used for vehicle applications, traffic cones, and road barrels, while the type that is more rigid is used for signs. Engineer grade is also known as an enclosed bead sheeting. This simply means that the beads are immersed in the top coat so that each bead is sealed and protected. There are pros and cons to this type of construction. On the plus side, you can cut the tape and make letters or shapes and the integrity of the glass beads are unharmed. It is for this reason that engi...
SOLAS Marine Reflective Tape SOLAS Marine Reflective Tape (SOLAS) is a High-intensity grade retro-reflective tape with an encapsulated lens, pressure sensitive adhesive-coated sheeting and an easy liner paper (intended for increasing visibility at night where safety is necessary). Application: Curved and flat surface (such as Aluminum, Zinc coated steel plate) which must be cleaned from dust, grease or any contamination which could affect the adhesion of the material. Not recommended for unpainted stainless steel surfaces. Reflective Technology: Glass beads-encapsulated Base material: Acrylic (PMMA) Color: Silver-White Size: 2″ x 150 ft Backing: Silicone coated paper, 0, 14mm. or Polypropylene film 0,075mm Durability: 7-10 years Application temperature: 18?C – 28?C (64.4?F – 82.4?F)
What we learned from “EVER GIVEN" container ship The 12-day blockade of the Suez Canal is officially over. Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) said that all 422 ships stranded at both ends of the canal passed through the Suez Canal Monday. The Changci ran aground in the Suez Canal on March 23, but was freed on March 29 after multiple efforts. The overall incident disrupted global shipping for up to 12 days, taking into account the evacuation time of blocked vessels. Allianz, the German insurance giant, estimates that the canal blockages could cost global trade between $6 billion and $10 billion a week due to delays in cargo deliveries and other factors. With the rescue of Changci, the investigation was officially launched on March 31. The Suez Canal Authority had previously conducted an initial inspection of the ship and found no technical problems with the ship. SCA President Sama Rabie said that "the Long Ci will not be allowed to leave the Suez Canal until the investigation into the incident is completed". In terms of liability, the Wall Street Journal reported that under the terms of the charter, the responsibility for the accident in the Suez Canal lies with the ship's owner, Japan's Masei Steamboat. Shoei said the cost of the rescue operation would be covered by hull Insurance, which is insured by MS&AD Insurance Group, a Tokyo-based insurer. Other claims will be covered by P&I insurance. The owner of the "Changsi" has been insured by UK P&I Club, a member of the P&I Club International. Egypt has said it may seek compensation from the Japanese shipowners. According to Rabie, the Canal Authority lost $12m-15m a day during the period when the Suez Canal was closed, which adds up to $72m - $90m over six days. We can't predict the weather，but we can take some active actions to reduce the hazards of working at sea.The SOLAS Marine reflective tapes are nessary for each ships,protect yourselves warning others.
RTKLITE E8 body reflective logo is actually a mobile traffic safety reflective technology, which can clearly outline the body contour of a large vehicle at night, improve the visibility of the vehicle at night, and actively reduce the occurrence of accidents. Studies have shown that the use of 3M body reflective markings can reduce the vehicle accident rate during the day by 16.3% and the accident rate at night by 21.2%. 3M body reflective signs have excellent large-angle performance, which is of special significance for vehicles driving at intersections, turning and U-turning vehicles, and vehicles parked on the side of the road.
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