# US 2014/0193576 A1 · Pavement Marking Materials and Methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193576 A1 - Document ID: US20140193576A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/234,230 - Filed: 2012-08-30 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-01 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Inventors: Eugen H. Carlson; Alexander J. Kugel; Matthew D. Wilding; Pamela A. Percha - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193576A1 ## CPC - E01F 9/506: characterised by the road surface marking material, e.g. comprising additives for improving friction or reflectivity; Methods of forming, installing or applying markings in, on or to road surfaces - C09D 123/0869: {Acids or derivatives thereof} - E01F 9/512: Preformed road surface markings, e.g. of sheet material; Methods of applying preformed markings - E01F: ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) ## Abstract The thermoplastic pavements markers and pavement marking compositions of the present application include a miscible blend of ethylene acrylic acid polymers and have a crystallization onset temperature observed upon cooling of greater than 65.6° C. (150° F.). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A thermoplastic pavement marking composition, comprising: a miscible blend of ethylene acrylic acid polymers including a first ethylene acrylic acid polymer having a number average molecular weight between about 1.0×104 grams per mole and about 1.0×105 grams per mole; and a second ethylene acrylic acid polymer having a number average molecular weight between about 1500 grams per mole and about 5000 grams per mole; wherein the crystallization onset temperature observed upon cooling of the thermoplastic pavement marking composition is greater than 65.6° C. (150° F.). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1, further including white ceramic microspheres. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1, further including up to about 85 weight percent white ceramic microspheres wherein the weight percent is of the entire thermoplastic pavement marking composition. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1, including between about 1.5 wt % and about 55 wt % weight percent first ethylene acrylic acid polymer wherein the weight percent is of the entire thermoplastic pavement marking composition. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1, including between about 5 wt % and about 72 wt % second ethylene acrylic acid polymer wherein the weight percent is of the entire thermoplastic pavement marking composition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1, further including 0.1 to 10 weight percent TiO2 wherein the weight percent is of the entire thermoplastic pavement marking composition. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1, further comprising optical components. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1, wherein the first ethylene acrylic acid polymer has an acid content between about 3% and about 20%. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1, wherein the second ethylene acrylic acid polymer has an acid content between about 5% and about 15%. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1, further including acrylic polymers and copolymers, olefin polymers and copolymers, olefin block copolymers, thermoplastic urethane polymers and copolymers, ester polymers and copolymers, polyamide polymers and copolymers, and blends thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1 having a flow according to AASHTO T-250-5 of less than 28 percent residue. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1 having a temperature at which 1% weight loss occurs as measured by thermogravimetric analysis of greater than 230° C. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 1 having a whiteness index as measured by ASTM E313 of greater than 60 after 4 hours of heating at 425 degrees F. ### Claim 14 A thermoplastic pavement marking composition, comprising: a miscible blend of ethylene acrylic acid polymers including a first ethylene acrylic acid polymer having an acid content between about 3% and about 20% and a second ethylene acrylic acid polymer having an acid content between about 5% and about 15% wherein the crystallization onset temperature observed upon cooling of the thermoplastic pavement marking composition is greater than 65.6° C. (150° F.). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14, further including white ceramic microspheres. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13, 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14 any of claim 13 or 14, further including up to 85 wt % white ceramic microspheres wherein the weight percent is of the entire thermoplastic pavement marking composition. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14, including between about 1.5 wt % and about 55 wt % first ethylene acrylic acid polymer wherein the weight percent is of the entire thermoplastic pavement marking composition. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14, including between about 5 wt % and about 72 wt % second ethylene acrylic acid polymer wherein the weight percent is of the entire thermoplastic pavement marking composition. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14, further including 0.1 to 10 weight percent TiO2 wherein the weight percent is of the entire thermoplastic pavement marking composition. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14, further comprising optical components. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14, wherein the first ethylene acrylic acid polymer has a number average molecular weight between about 1.0×104 grams per mole and about 1.0×105 grams per mole. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14, wherein the second ethylene acrylic acid polymer has a number average molecular weight between about 1500 grams per mole and about 5000 grams per mole. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14 in the form of a hot melt extrusion roadway marking, a hot melt spray roadway marking, a hot melt hand-applied roadway marking, a preformed extruded roadway marking, an extruded roadway marking, a pavement marking tape, a pavement marking paint. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14 having a flow according to AASHTO T-250-5 of less than 28 percent residue. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14 having a temperature at which 1% weight loss occurs as measured by thermogravimetric analysis of greater than 230° C. ### Claim 26 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14 having a whiteness index as measured by ASTM E313 of greater than 60 after 4 hours of heating at 425 degrees F. ### Claim 27 (depends on 14) The thermoplastic pavement marking composition of claim 14, further including acrylic polymers and copolymers, olefin polymers and copolymers, olefin block copolymers, thermoplastic urethane polymers and copolymers, ester polymers and copolymers, polyamide polymers and copolymers, and blends thereof. ### Claim 28 A method of forming a pavement marking, comprising: heating the thermoplastic pavement marking of any of the preceding claims; and applying the resulting homogenous mixture to a roadway. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28, further comprising: applying optical components to the roadway.