Here is what you need to know: Traffic signs or road signs are made of aluminum, because of its durability and light weight. However, galvanized steel is another economical alternative. Aluminum alloys, such as 5052-H36, 3004-H38, 3105-H18, and 6061-T6, are also used for their durability and performance. While this blog covers more details, these are the key materials used.

Traffic signs come in all shapes and sizes, kind of like how they say love does! Funny, right? But both can get you into trouble if you ignore the limits. Ouch!

Let's go back in history, In the 1880s, probably the start of the industrial and progressive era,  the League of American Wheelmen, a national bicycle club, lobbied for better roads and signs. As travel increased and motor vehicles especially bicyclists standardization of signs became more important.

In the 1930s, companies and suppliers also began to design signs that were easy to recognize. For example, Texaco led the way by creating a standardized design for their gas stations in 1936.

But the question remains the same “What are traffic signs made of? Let's start with the material involved in making traffic signs.

What are traffic signs made of? (Raw Material)

Traffic signs around the world base level require three basic components: 

1. A blank.
2. Background sheeting.
3. Sign copy (letters and symbols).

Blank

Blank is the foundation or base also called the framework of the sign. Widely made of: 

1. Aluminum is the most popular used because it doesn't rust, but it's lightweight and needs extra support (metal braces). It's quite an expensive option.
2. Steel is a more economical option, stronger than aluminum. To prevent rust, steel blanks are coated with **zinc**.
3.  Plywood is the cheapest option but can get damaged by harsh weather because it's porous. To protect it, a thin layer of plastic is added.

Background Sheeting

Background sheeting is the material that covers the surface of a traffic sign and provides its base color. It serves as the canvas for the sign's design. Whereas Reflective sheeting is a special layer applied on top of the background sheeting. It contains tiny glass beads or micro prisms that reflect light from headlights back to the driver. This makes the sign visible at night or in Low-light situations.

Sign Copy

Sign copy refers to text or symbol-based instructions of text that are printed out on the sign with ink. This ink is applied to the reflective sheeting to create the text, symbols, or other information on the sign. It is made to be **weather-resistant** and has no fading feature so that the sign stays clear and legible in various weather conditions. 

Reflective Materials and Their Types

Now let's see different types of reflective materials used on road signs to make them visible at night. It describes three grades of reflective sheeting and how each one works to help drivers see the signs in various conditions.

1. Engineer Grade Reflective Signs

• Material: Uses glass beads or simple prismatic technology.
• Visibility: it is noticeable from 400 to 600 feet away.
• Usage: Best for less critical areas like parking lots or garages. They are the most affordable but offer the least visibility.

2. High-Intensity Grade Reflective Signs

• Material: Uses advanced cube-corner or prismatic materials.
• Visibility: It is noticeable from 800 to 1,200 feet away.
• Usage: Common in city traffic signs and construction zones. They are more visible than engineer-grade signs and work well even with street lights.

3. Diamond Grade Reflective Signs

• Material: Uses the highest-grade reflective technology.
• Visibility: It is noticeable from 1,300 to 1,600 (feet) distance.
• Usage: Suitable for heavy traffic roads, highways, and busy urban areas. They offer the best visibility in complex environments with lots of lights.

And Why Are These Grades Important? The grade of reflective sheeting ensures different levels of clarity and is suited for a wide range of outdoor and indoor settings. Determining the right grade ensures that road signs are effective in helping drivers see them, which is ideal for safety, especially at night or in harsh weather conditions.

So yes, Aluminum not only answers the question of what are traffic signs made of but also underscores its vital role in maintaining road safety.

Conclusion:

Overall, aluminum proves to be an all-rounder material for traffic signs. Why? Because of its durability, high reflectivity, and ability to meet government standards. If you have any further questions about traffic signs or what are traffic signs made of, don't hesitate to contact Olanzu today!