Process for forming a reflective surface
AssigneeLitetech, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Mushett, Randall Craft
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for forming a retroreflective layer on a powder coated substrate is provided. The substrate is powder coated and the powder coating is subsequently partially cured. Reflective elements are then partially embedded in the semi-cured powder. The powder is then fully cured to permanently bond the reflective elements with the powder coating. The resultant retroreflective assembly can be used in any application requiring high detectability in poor visibility conditions, such as road signs and the like.
Claims20
A process for forming a retroreflective surface on a substrate comprising the steps of:
- providing a powder coating material;
- applying the powder coating material to an outer surface of the substrate;
- partially curing the powder coating such that it becomes tacky or gelled;
- providing a reflective material;
- applying a retroreflective layer on the surface of the powder coating by at least partially embedding the reflective material in the partially cured powder coating;
- and
- finish curing the powder coating.
A process for forming a retroreflective surface on a substrate, the process comprising:
- providing a thermoset powder coating material;
- pretreating the substrate by cleaning and conversion coating the substrate
- applying the thermoset powder coating material to the substrate by electrostatic spray or fluidized bed coating;
- partially curing the thermoset powder to the gel point of the powder;
- applying reflective ceramic optical elements to the partially cured thermoset powder coating;
- finish curing the thermoset powder coating to form a retroreflective surface on the substrate;
- and
- applying a clear coat to the finish cured surface of the retroreflective surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.