Retroreflective Materials Business Unit

Nikkalite® Retro-reflective sheeting is a functional film used for road signs etc.

Traffic signs can be seen worldwide. They are vital for safety as well as efficiency in traveling. Nippon Carbide Industries realizes the importance of these requirements and therefore utilizing our cutting edge technologies has developed highly durable and reflective material that is visible in all lighting environments and weather conditions.

The structure of Retro-reflective Sheeting

Retro-reflectivity is a special optical phenomenon of reflection. This phenomenon occurs when light directed on the reflective sheeting is returned directly back to the source of light. This characteristic is quite different from luminous paint or luminescent tape.
The sheeting structure consists of numerous tiny glass beads in diameters of 40-90u with very high refractive properties placed uniformly and evenly on its respective layer. This enables the soft thin sheeting to have a total thickness of only 100-300u.
Each glass bead is a true sphere which acts similar to a convex lens. The source of light passes through the glass bead, refracts and is focused together onto the outer reflective layer on the back of the glass bead. The light then returns directly back through the glass bead. The diagram below shows the structure of the reflective sheeting.