If you were to ask anyone if they knew what is ‘Methyl Methacrylate’, the answer you would get is a clueless face. But if you are working in the highways line marking industry, this product is commonly known as MMA cold plastic.
As a civilian, you see these types of road markings daily, like pedestrian crossings, double yellow lines, and the dotted lines that make up the lanes of the motorways. With our daily commutes to work, to the shops or taking the kids to school, road markings are everywhere and are the bedrock of our highway systems.
Methyl Methacrylate or MMA markings are just one type of road marking that we see daily. Road marking contractors use this product for specific types of jobs, where thermoplastic markings may not be suitable. But the question is, what exactly is so special about MMA markings and why is it the next best thing in road paint world.
Where would you see Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) road markings?
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) road markings are some of the hardest wearing highways markings available for road marking contractors to use. They have been used to great success within the UK and throughout Europe in high traffic areas and high-stress locations such as junction markings, stop bars, hatching and other transverse markings. By utilising this material in places that are prone to high wear, the lifespan of the markings is extended, ensuring fewer reapplications.
Motorways and A-Roads
With the UK’s motorways and A-roads being the main travel routes across the country, these tend to have specific high traffic and high friction areas. In these areas, informative marking is plentiful and should be as durable as possible, with places such as slip roads and junctions being the most likely to receive Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) markings.
Cycle paths & Lanes
Cyclist safety is paramount, especially in partially sharing the road with my types of motorists. It is crucial that the level of slip resistance remains consistently high, with all markings remaining clear and readable. The purpose of these markings is to help preserve this crisp and fresh look in cycling areas.
How are MMA road markings applied?
There are several different application processes for MMA and these will each yield different performance results.
Hand applied
The most common way for small projects, junctions and logos/letters is usually hand-applying through a process called screeding using standard hand moulds. As a result of this manual application, MMA road markings are usually applied in specific locations where they are deemed necessary rather than across long distances.
Spray applied
Spraying the lines across a highway or road can considerably speed up the MMA application process whilst still maintaining the high durability finish that it is known for. This can be applied by a few machines from are Graco Pavement marking range. The most popular are the ES Roadliner, Graco LineLazer V 200 MMA 1:1, or the Graco 200HS Reflective series.
What are the benefits of using MMA road markings?
The lifespan and durability of the product
One of the main benefits of working with MMA markings is their excellent and hard-wearing properties that stand the test of time. Traditional line marking materials are prone to have a much shorter lifespan, and as such, they are often in need of regular maintenance. This tends to be costly over time, but also faded road markings can also be a safety hazard, especially in conditions with low visibility.
Road Visibility
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) markings offer much a higher retro-reflectivity than traditional markings. The markings are augmented with a glass bead coating which only serves to help it stand out even further under headlights.
Environmentally friendly
With the increased life of the marking and less requirement for refreshing, this means less site visits and less need for trucks and transport for materials and workforce to and from site. For urban environments, this is a fantastic solution, as these are the areas that are usually most concerned with lowering harmful emissions.
If you want to know more about Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), get in touch today for a non-obligation quote at mail@meonuk.com or call us on 02392 200 606 to discuss how we can help with your line marking projects.
