In the UK, thermoplastic is the most popular form of road marking material. The UK has a road network of over 262,000 miles, and in England, the government has committed £24 billion to improving roads between 2026 and 2030. Inevitably, a big part of these infrastructure upgrades will be ensuring new and existing roads have clear and visible markings – and with so many projects on the horizon, thermoplastic will be an essential tool.
Like many things in life, road markings are very much “part of the wallpaper” – something people don’t necessarily pay much conscious attention to. But for those who aspire to work in civil engineering, are interested in material science, or who are simply curious, there may be many things they want to know more about construction supplies like thermoplastic paint – including how it is made.
What is Thermoplastic Road Marking Paint?
Thermoplastic road marking paint is a specialised type of paint which applies a thick polymer layer on the road surface, creating markings that are bright, reflective and wear-resistant.
Thermoplastic road marking paint is:
- Durable
- Cost-effective
- Fast-drying
- Reflective
- Non-slip
- Seamless to apply
These are all ideal properties for a road marking material that needs to be highly visible, able to stand up to heavy traffic, and installed with minimal disruption to road users.
When is Thermoplastic Road Marking Paint Used?
Thermoplastic road marking paint (and preformed thermoplastic) can be found on a vast array of floor surfaces across public and private spaces. The quality and speed of application of the material makes it ideal for long stretches of road such as motorways, but it’s also found in highly specific areas such as outside schools and fire stations due to the clear-cut precision with which it can be used.
You’ll also find thermoplastic road marking paint in warehouses, car parks, play areas and sports grounds. Anywhere you see floor markings, there’s a good chance that thermoplastic is the material that’s been implemented.
What are the Alternatives to Thermoplastic Road Marking Paint?
Perhaps the most well-used alternative to thermoplastic paint is Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Road Markings. These markings boast even greater resilience than their thermoplastic counterparts and therefore tend to be used in high-traffic areas, such as roundabouts, port authority docks and freight centres.
As a rule, however, the application of Methyl Methacrylate is slower and more complex. Because the markings need to be hand-applied by screeding, they tend to only be used in smaller areas, usually alongside thermoplastic where appropriate.
How Thermoplastic Road Marking Paint is Made
A clue to thermoplastic’s manufacture is in its name – combining heat, plastics and other ingredients to create a composite material that can be “painted” onto the road surface. The ingredients of thermoplastic include:
- Synthetic resin: The base ingredient of thermoplastic paint is resin, which might be alkyd or hydrocarbon-based. This is what binds all of the ingredients together, and helps the paint adhere to the road surface.
- Additives and plasticisers: These materials are added to increase flexibility, as well as to resist issues such as colour fading.
- Pigments: Pigments determine the colour of the thermoplastic paint. While primarily white, road and surface markings need to come in an array of colours.
- Fillers and curing agents: Fillers help to ensure strength, durability and improve opacity, while curing agents help the paint to harden quickly on the road surface for ease of application and driver convenience.
- Glass beads: Tiny glass beads (usually no more than 0.1 to 1.4 mm in diameter) are an essential ingredient to road marking paint, as they ensure reflectivity of car headlights and visibility at night.
Manufacturers then take these ingredients and combine them in a multi-step process, which begins with heating the resin in a controlled fashion in a dedicated heating vessel (as overheating will cause damage).
From here, the ingredients are added in stages and thoroughly mixed to ensure even distribution, with the final addition being evenly dispersed glass beads. Once mixed, the material is cooled and packaged off to be sent to road marking contractors for reheating and application.
How Thermoplastic Road Marking Paint is Applied
Before the commencement of any floor marking project, it’s vital to ensure the surface is prepared by clearing it of any debris or dirt. It may also be necessary to remove existing road and line markings to avoid confusing “ghost markings”, which can misdirect road users and make floor surfaces look untidy.
The application of line markings requires specialist equipment, including:
- A heater or melting kettle.
- Marking machines, such as pedestrian applicators and hand-screed moulds.
- Personal protective equipment to ensure operator safety, like high-vis jackets, safety glasses and gloves.
Once assembled, the ideal placement of the paint needs to be marked out. The thermoplastic is then heated to a specific temperature (usually between 190°C and 220°C) until it reaches a consistent fluid state, before being carefully added to the road surface by skilled professionals in the predetermined design and allowed to cure.
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Thermoplastic is one of modern life’s “hidden technologies”: something that is both ubiquitous and essential in the way we organise our shared spaces, and is a surprisingly deep subject once we decide to jump into it. With the ultimate goal being the safety and well-being of road users nationwide, everything – from the precise combination of polymers and glass beads to the carefully managed application process – is considered with the utmost care.
At Hi Way Services, we live and breathe line markings and road maintenance and are always happy to formulate bespoke solutions to your unique challenges. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch today.
