Hot applied thermoplastics are thermoplastic materials that become fluid when heated to the proper application temperature and, when removed from its heat source, form a hard, abrasion-resistant pavement marking.

Thermoplastic materials are 100% solid, environmentally and user safe. They are comprised of multiple components:

• Binders: Consisting of plasticizers and resins that provide toughness, flexibility, and adhesion while holding all the components together.
• Pigments: Provide colour and opacity.
• Fillers: Such as calcium carbonate, which are designed to add bulk.

Many of our hot applied thermoplastics also contain glass spheres that provide continuous, bright nighttime retroreflectivity.

There are various different methods that can be used to apply hot applied thermoplastics. These include:

• Screed: The material is deposited onto the road surface through a flat die without significant pressure. This method produces a smooth, even layer and is commonly used for transverse markings.
• Extrusion: The material passes through a four-sided die, of which three sides are in direct contact with the pavement surface. This method provides maximum adhesion to the surface due to the fact that the material is shielded from air and wind.
• Profiled: The material is applied in raised patterns or ridges, typically by interrupted extrusion. This creates a textured surface that enhances visibility, especially in wet conditions.
• Spray: The material passes through a spray gun under pressure. This type of application provides maximum mechanical adhesion of the pavement marking as it forces the material into the irregularities of the pavement surface.

The temperature at which hot applied thermoplastics can be applied depends entirely on the products.

Our technical data sheets give specific data on each of our products, including their application temperatures.

Yes, the vast majority of hot applied thermoplastics in our range are reflectorised. This ensures improved visibility for drivers and other road users.

Guidemaster^® is our range of non-reflectorised hot applied thermoplastics, suitable for application in areas where there is Class 1 street lighting.

Bubbles in the lines may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• If bubbles appear right away, this may be because of moisture on the surface.
• If primer has been used, this may be because the primer has not cured for long enough.
• If bubbles appear after a long period of time, it may be due to evaporating water in the area getting trapped under the line.

Gaps or pulls in the lines may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• The material is too cool.
• The striping speed is too fast.
• The material is too thick.

If there is no adhesion or bulge at the front of the line, it may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• The material or ribbon gun is too cold.
• The striping speed is too fast.

Drag marks or pits in the line may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• Lumps or unmixed materials have passed through the filter.
• Not letting the material in the melter heat and mix for long enough.
• Charred material in the filter or line breaking loose.
• Rocks or lumps in die.

Crumbly edges or a rough line surface may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• The material temperature is too low.
• The material is overheated or scorched.
• There is moisture in the road.

Jagged line endings or drips between skips may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• Ribbon gun/die not closing properly.
• Obstruction in ribbon gun/die.

A wavy line may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• Driving too fast.
• Carriage wheel(s) are flat or do not have enough air.
• Road surface undulations.
• The kettle is empty or the pump is starving for material.
• The pump is sucking air or not enough material pressure.

A damaged line may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• There has been a loss of beads.
• There is low reflectivity.
• There has been snowplough damage.
• There has been an auto accident.
• Metal was dragged across the line.

A thermoplastic losing its bond with the asphalt may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• The thermoplastic has been applied to a wet or dirty surface.
• The thermoplastic has been applied on top of fog seal.

Bond loss may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• The thermoplastic has been applied at temperatures below recommended levels.
• The thermoplastic has been applied at ambient air temperatures below recommended levels.
• The surface was too cold during application.
• There were heavy snowplough events.

Spray material coming out of the gun in lumps may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• The material is too cold.
• There is low atomising air pressure.
• There is a restriction in atomising air system of the spray gun.

Discolouration or poor reflectivity may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• There has been a heat transfer from oil leaking into the kettle.
• A broken material line allowing heat transfer from oil into the thermoplastic.

Uneven spray may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• There is a restriction in the spray gun not allowing the material to exit the gun evenly.
• There is a restriction in the atomising air system or there is not enough air flow to the gun tip.

Burned or unmelted materials in the filters or screen baskets may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• The melter was not agitated early enough during start-up.
• The melter’s agitator is not spinning fast enough to mix material or keep it from scratching.
• The burner system has not calibrated the hot spot in the kettle.

Poor reflectivity may appear as below:

This can occur for a number of reasons:

• There are no beads on the line.
• The weather conditions (i.e. wind) affected the bead application.