11 Reflective Tape Types – (www.tapedealer.com)
When it comes to retro-reflective films, a common misunderstanding is that Type 1 through Type 11 designations represent the brightness of the tape from lowest to highest. While this is true to an extent, the type, (1-11) actually applies to the application of each tape in road way signs and traffic situations. In other words, each ASTM D4956 Type, 1-11 has a different purpose in traffic. Brightness or Luminous Intensity is only one characteristic, and as you will see from the metrics below, an increase in reflective brightness does not always correspond with an increase in Type.
Type 1 (Engineer Grade) – Road way Signs, Construction Zone Devices, and Traffic Delineators
Type I Retro-reflective films – Medium intensity retro-reflective films normally referred to as an “engineering grade”. This is a very common and popular film, and is available in a multitude of colors. Type 1 tapes are used in both commercial and consumer applications. In commercial applications it is use for permanent road way signs, construction zones, and traffic delineators. Normally an enclosed lens film which refers to glass beads that are completely surrounded by the flexible polymer. These types of films can be cut without effecting reflectivity at the edges since all beads are surrounded by polymer. Type 1 engineer grade and Type 2 super engineer grade are the only two films considered to be enclosed lens films. This is the most common film for cutting letters, logos, and graphics. After cutting, edges DO NOT have to be sealed.
Light characteristics for Type 1 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 70 candelas
Yellow – 50 candelas
Orange – 25 candelas
Green – 9 candelas
Red – 14 candelas
Blue – 4 candelas
Brown – 1 candelas
Type 2 (Super Engineer Grade) – Road way Signs, Construction Zone Devices, and Traffic Delineators
Type 2 Retro-reflective films – Medium High Intensity retroreflective sheeting often referred to as “super engineer grade”. Common commercial applications for this reflective film are permanent road way signs, construction zone devices, and traffic delineators. Type 2 reflective is typically an enclosed lens glass-bead sheeting like engineering grade. Easily CAD cuttable like engineering grade, only brighter. Twice as bright as type 1. After cutting, edges DO NOT have to be sealed.
Ligh characteristics for Type 2 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 140 candelas
Yellow – 100 candelas
Orange – 60 candelas
Green – 30 candelas
Red – 30 candelas
Blue – 10 candelas
Brown – 5 candelas
Type 3 (High Intensity Glass Bead) – Road way Signs, Construction Zone Devices, and Traffic Delineators
Type 3 Retro-reflective films – A high-intensity glass bead retroreflective sheeting used for permanent road way signs, construction zone devices, and traffic delineators. Rough Typically an “Encapsulated Lens” glass bead retroreflective material meaning that individual glass beads are encapsulated in cells and more exposed to incoming light. About double the brightness of Type 2 films. While this material can be CAD cut, it is normally not used this way since cutting the film exposed the edges of the cells that are filled with glass beads. After cutting, edges SHOULD be sealed to protect the edges.
Light characteristics for Type 3 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 300 candelas
Yellow – 200 candelas
Orange – 120 candelas
Green – 54 candelas
Red – 54 candelas
Blue – 24 candelas
Brown – 14 candelas
Type 4 (High Intensity Prismatic) – Road way Signs, Construction Zone devices, and Traffic Delineators
Type 4 Sheeting —A high intensity prismatic retroreflective sheeting. This sheeting is normally an Unmetallized Microprismatic retroreflective element (aka Air Backed) material. Typical applications for this material are permanent road way signing, construction zone devices, and delineators.
Light characteristics for Type 4 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 500 candelas
Yellow – 380 candelas
Orange – 200 candelas
Green – 70 candelas
Red – 90 candelas
Blue – 42 candelas
Brown – 25 candelas
Fluorescent Lime – 400 candelas
Fluorescent Orange – 150 candelas
Type 5 – Traffic Delineators and Channelizers
Type 5 Retro-reflective films – A super-high intensity prismatic retro-reflective sheeting. This sheeting is typically a metallized microprismatic retroreflective element material and is commonly used for traffic delineators and channelizers. The term metallized refers to a silver aluminized backing much like a mirror has. (versus a white backing for non metallized air backed films) This mirror backing allows the tape to reflect very brightly and maintain an ultra thin construction. The tape can also be CAD or scissor cut without the need for edge sealing since it is constructed in a single layer. Type 5 is the only metallized prismatic film in the list of Type 1 – 10 films listed in this article. It is often used in non traffic applications due to its brightness, ability to be CAD cut, and its ultra thin rugged design.
Light characteristics for Type 5 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 700 candelas
Yellow – 470 candelas
Orange – 280 candelas
Green – 120 candelas
Red – 120 candelas
Blue – 56 candelas
Type 6 – Temporary Roll Up Signs, Warning Signs, Traffic Cone Collars, and Post Bands
Type 6 Retro-reflective films – A flexible elastomeric high-intensity prismatic retro-reflective sheeting without adhesive. This sheeting is typically a vinyl based micro-prismatic retro-reflective material. It is designed to be rolled up and stored, without damaging reflective components within the film. The sheeting is typically lettered and used when roadwork is in progress or an emergency situation necessitates temporary signs. Commonly used for lime or orange temporary roll-up warning signs, white traffic cone collars, and post bands.
Light characteristics for Type 6 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 500 candelas
Yellow – 350 candelas
Orange – 125 candelas
Green – 60 candelas
Red – 70 candelas
Blue – 45 candelas
Fluorescent Lime – 400 candelas
Fluorescent Orange – 200 candelas
Type 7 – Road way Signs, Construction Zone Devices, and Traffic Delineators (not commonly used – Type 8 being more popular)
Type 7 Retro-reflective films – A super high intensity prismatic retro-reflective sheeting having the highest retro-reflectivity characteristics at LONG and medium road distances. (brightest film, along with Type 8) as seen by the reflectivity values of Table 1 at 0.1° and 0.2° observation angles) This sheeting is typically an unmetallized air backed micro-prismatic retroreflective material. Common applications for this material are permanent road way signs, construction zone devices, and traffic delineators.
Light characteristics for Type 7 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 750 candelas
Yellow – 560 candelas
Orange – 280 candelas
Green – 75 candelas
Red – 150 candelas
Blue – 34 candelas
Fluorescent Lime – 600 candelas
Fluorescent Orange – 230 candelas
Type 8 – Road way Signs, Construction Zone Devices, and Traffic Delineators (more commonly available sheeting)
Type 8 Retro-reflective films – Super high intensity prismatic retro-reflective sheeting having the highest retro-reflectivity characteristics (along with Type 7) at LONG and medium road distances. (see RA values of Table 2 at 0.1° and 0.2° observation angles) This sheeting is commonly an unmetallized air backed microprismatic retro-reflective material. Common applications for this material are permanent road way signs, construction zone devices, and traffic delineators.
Light characteristics for Type 8 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 700 candelas
Yellow – 525 candelas
Orange – 265 candelas
Green – 70 candelas
Red – 105 candelas
Blue – 42 candelas
Fluorescent Lime – 560 candelas
Fluorescent Orange – 210 candelas
Type 9 – Road way Signs, Construction Zone devices, and Traffic Delineators
Type 9 Retro-reflective films – Very-high-intensity retroreflective material having highest retro-reflectivity characteristics at SHORT road distances as determined by the RA values of Table 3 at 1° observation angle. This sheeting is typically an unmetallized microprismatic air backed retroreflective material. Typical applications for this material are permanent road way signing, construction zone devices, and delineators.
Light characteristics for Type 9 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 380 candelas
Yellow – 285 candelas
Orange – 145 candelas
Green – 38 candelas
Red – 76 candelas
Blue – 17 candelas
Fluorescent Lime – 300 candelas
Fluorescent Orange – 115 candelas
Type 10 – Road way Signs, Construction Zone devices, and Traffic Delineators
Type 10 Retro-reflective films – A super-high intensity retro-reflective material having highest retroreflective characteristics at medium road distances as determined by the RA values of Table 4 at 0.1° and 0.2° observation angles. This sheeting is typically an unmetallized microprismatic air backed material. Typical appli- cations for this material are permanent road way signing, construction zone devices, and delineators.
Light characteristics for Type 10 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 560 candelas
Yellow – 420 candelas
Orange – 210 candelas
Green – 56 candelas
Red – 84 candelas
Blue – 28 candelas
Fluorescent Lime – 450 candelas
Fluorescent Orange – 170 candelas
Type 11 – Super High Efficiency Road way Signs – Overhead Signs
Type XI — is a reflective sheeting manufactured as an unmetallized cube corner micro-prismatic air backed retro-reflective material. This super-high efficiency sheeting is designed to perform best at both medium and short sight distances. This makes Type XI a very adaptable sheeting that agencies can use to improve road safety. A typical use for Type 11 sheeting would be overhead signs on interstates. Its high performance eliminates the need for external lighting which results in a substantial cost savings on maintenance and energy costs.
Light characteristics for Type 11 Sheeting (mimimum coefficient of reflection)
Observation Angle : positive .2 degrees / Entrance Angle : negative .4 degrees
White – 580 candelas
Yellow – 435 candelas
Orange – 200 candelas
Green – 58 candelas
Red – 87 candelas
Blue – 26 candelas
Fluorescent Lime – 460 candelas
Fluorescent Orange – 175 candelas