MMA (Methyl Methacrylate), Two-Component Traffic Paint

MMA Two-component traffic paint is a highly versatile, durable option for line striping high-traffic areas such as roadways, parking lots, crosswalks, bike paths and bus lanes. Two-component paint is formed by mixing a pigmented base resin with a polymer curing agent. When mixed and applied immediately, these two elements polymerize to form a strong, long-lasting compound.

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Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is one of the most durable two-component marking paints available. MMA has a very long life cycle when compared to single-component traffic paint. Paints made with MMA can last up to 10 years between applications when given proper care and maintenance. There are generally three different mixing ratios for MMA and catalyst depending on the size of the job, including 1:1, 4:1, and 98:2.

The resulting mixture can be applied to the roadway in a number of ways. For smaller jobs, a road crew can manually apply the paint using squeegees, but if the job involves large stretches of roadway, walk-behind equipment and trucks can be used instead. 

How Does it Work?

MMA is used in high-traffic areas that take a routine beating. Think of crosswalks, bike paths, bus lanes, and traffic circles. 

MMA two-component striping paint is the perfect match for asphalt and concrete substrates. It forms a solid bond even in cold weather and does not chip or wear easily. MMA products even stand up to the harsh effects of snow plow blades, making them well-suited to a wide range of climates.

Benefits of MMA Traffic Paint

If you're looking for a long-lasting line striping product, MMA is about the most durable paint on the market. With its long lifecycle, an initial investment on MMA paint can save you on application, repair and maintenance costs down the line. A typical application lasts 3 to 5 and sometimes up to 10 years. MMA is stain and wear resistant even under harsh environmental conditions. 

MMA traffic paint securely bonds to various substrates. You can mix MMA with glass beads to form a highly-reflective road surface that adds safety and visibility to its already-durable design. MMA can be formulated in any color you desire, from standard safety colors to custom colors.

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The issue of volatile organic compounds (VOC) has come to the forefront over the last few years. When cured, MMA is 100% free from harmful VOCs, increasing its quality and durability.  

Aexcel For Your Paint and Coating Needs

MMA two-component road paint is recommended for achieving a high quality, durable, and long-lasting road striping job. For over 50 years, Aexcel has grown as a leader in the traffic marking paint industry. Our commitment to ongoing product development and excellent customer service makes us the perfect partner for your traffic marking paint supply needs. For more information, or to get started on your MMA two-component traffic painting solution, contact us today. 

MMA vs. Thermoplastics for Pavement Marking

Highly trafficked highways, roads, intersections, dedicated bike lanes and paths require durable lines to guide the flow of traffic, which cannot be achieved with traditional waterbased paint. Due to the high cost of maintenance, state and local agencies have looked for other options. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) and thermoplastics have both become popular for painting lines and markings on paved surfaces.

Thermoplastic

Thermoplastic is a homogeneous dry mixture of resin, pigment, glass beads, and filler. When heated, the mixture moves into a liquid state and is applied either by spray or extruded on the road ranging from 90 to 120 mils depending on the specification. When applied, thermoplastics cure through the release of heat and return once again to solid form. Thermoplastics must be applied at temperatures of 50 F and rising, plus no moisture for 24 hours, which decreases the application window. Another version of thermoplastics, called Preformed, is provided in premade (preformed) symbols and shapes and used typically for intersection markings. In the case of preformed, the material is placed on the surface, then heated by a handheld propane torch to wet out into the surface, then cure as heat is released.

Thermoplastics typically have a service life of 3-5 years, depending on conditions. In winter climates, thermoplastics are very susceptible to snow plows due to its raised structure and can be sheared completely off, leaving no marking on the road. In addition, thermoplastics are sensitive to changes in temperature in which &#;freeze-thaw&#; will typically cause cracks, pinholes, and grooves throughout the entire marking. Thermoplastics must be heated at a very high temperature, between 400 and 450 F, to be effective. This high temperature, besides the risk of burns, will also lead to application errors, most noticeably a darkening of the material should it be applied too hot, or reside in the application kettle too long. Finally, thermoplastic performs poorly on concrete unless a primer is applied beforehand, which adds a second application step.

MMA

MMA has a variety of uses in our everyday lives ranging from shatterproof glass alternatives to bone replacement in hip surgery. The extreme durability of MMA provides for longevity, which can last as long as 10 years, even in the most extreme conditions. No other commonly used road marking products match MMA&#;s durability. MMA is widely used in extreme winter conditions and high elevations due to its ability to withstand frequent snowplow hits and semi-trucks with chains and studded tires. MMA is also used in highly trafficked intersections, crosswalks, dedicated bike lanes and paths as it stands up to the constant stresses caused by stopping vehicles and turning tires. MMA coatings consist of a two-part mixture that forms a chemical bond with a surface after the catalyst is properly mixed in. It requires no heating and may be applied at colder temps compared to thermoplastics. In addition, it requires no primer to bond to concrete.

MMA paint cures in 15-30 minutes, mitigating the need for lengthy closures when applying the coating to roads and intersections. Its long service life also means less frequent maintenance. MMA is an ideal choice for long stretches of highways, roads, intersections as well as dedicated bike lanes and paths. As such, it has become the preferred marking system for applications which require durability and long-term performance.

Why/When to Choose MMA Over Thermoplastic as a Road Marking Paint/Coating?

MMA is often a superior choice than thermoplastic for road marking. Here are some comparison factors to consider when selecting road marking solutions:

• Bonding. MMA lasts longer because it forms a strong bond with the surface, even concrete, through chemical curing. Thermoplastic is heated before application and can be softened on hot surfaces, leading to tracking from tires.
  
  
• Cracking/blemishes. MMA remains clean after application when bead embedment is correct, while thermoplastic pavement markings require flawless pavement and still tend to blemish quickly.
  
  
• Longevity. MMA paint lasts as much as five years longer than most thermoplastic road marking solutions.
  
  
• Safety. Thermoplastic powders require heating to ranges between 400-450 °F before applying to liquify the powder, risking burns to personnel. MMA is ready for cold application, making the marking system safer.
  
  
• Priming. When applying thermoplastic to concrete, the surface requires priming. MMA allows for direct application to concrete and asphalt surfaces with minimal preparation.
  
  
• Color variety. Thermoplastic paints have limited color options, while MMA road marking paints have a broader range of custom colors are available.
  
  

Contact Aexcel for More Information on MMA Pavement Marking

MMA has a range of options when it comes to catalyst concentrations. The mixture is adjustable to increase or decrease the cure speed in combinations. Ratios of 1:1, 98:2, 4:1 are common combinations of MMA. These mixing ratios allow MMA to be applied quickly in hot and cold temperatures, and even freezing conditions. Thermoplastic paint cannot be applied in freezing temperatures.

Choosing MMA over thermoplastic pavement marking solutions provides various benefits to the road marking team, pedestrians, and vehicles. MMA provides a durable, vibrant, and clean marking that lasts for up to 10 years.

Aexcel offers Roadzilla® - Durable MMA Traffic Marking Systems, the ideal solution for marking walkways, intersections, roads, dedicated bike lanes and paths. Our MMA solution offers ideal performance even in harsh environments and high-traffic areas. For more information about our MMA traffic marking solutions, please contact us or request a quote today.

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