Road markings play a vital role in ensuring driving safety and traffic management, guiding drivers day and night under all weather conditions. For this reason, manufacturers of road marking paints place strict demands on whiteness, weather resistance, and nighttime reflectivity.
To meet these requirements, many paint producers rely on optical brightening agents (OBAs) to boost brightness and whiteness. However, traditional brighteners often fall short in harsh outdoor environments — resulting in yellowing, fading whiteness, and poor long-term performance.
This is where OBA for road marking paint, particularly Optical Brightener OB, makes a significant difference.
Challenges in Traditional Road Marking Paint
During the production of road marking paint, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and various brighteners are typically added to enhance whiteness. While these additives initially improve appearance, traditional brighteners lack weather durability. Over time, sunlight, UV exposure, and temperature fluctuations cause the markings to yellow, fade, and lose reflectivity, reducing visibility and compromising safety at night.
Advantages of Using OBA for Road Marking Paint
Optical Brightener OB, designed specifically for road marking formulations, addresses these challenges with superior optical performance and durability.
✅ 1. Outstanding Whiteness Enhancement
OBA works through fluorescent optical brightening principles, absorbing invisible ultraviolet light and re-emitting it as blue light to counteract yellow tones. When added to road marking paint, the whiteness value can reach 95, creating a bright, clean surface that enhances day and night visibility.
✅ 2. Excellent Weather Resistance
Thanks to its high UV stability and chemical resistance, OB maintains color integrity even under strong sunlight and rain exposure. Road markings treated with OB achieve a weather resistance rating of up to level 8, retaining brightness far longer than conventional additives.
✅ 3. Improved Nighttime Reflectivity
Enhanced whiteness directly improves the paint’s retroreflective performance, ensuring that headlights illuminate the markings more clearly in low-light conditions and boosting nighttime driving safety.
✅ 4. High Compatibility and Easy Processing
OBA for road marking paints exhibits excellent compatibility with various binder systems and uniform dispersibility, making it easy to incorporate into existing formulations. The recommended dosage is only 0.02%, providing high cost-effectiveness without affecting other paint properties.
Conclusion
For manufacturers seeking long-lasting brightness, superior weather resistance, and enhanced reflectivity, OBA for road marking paint is the ideal solution. Its low dosage, high efficiency, and durable whitening effect ensure that road markings stay brighter, whiter, and safer for years of outdoor exposure.