Method for accelerating the drying rate of road marking compositions

Abstract

A method for accelerating the drying rate of a ceramic bead-containing thermosetting road marking composition admixture when deposited onto a road surface is described. The method comprising heating ceramic beads to a temperature from about 100° to about 500° F. The heated ceramic beads are then admixed with a liquid thermosetting road marking composition to form a substantially homogeneous admixture. This substantially homogeneous admixture is then deposited onto the road surface where it drys at an accelerated rate.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for accelerating the drying rate of a ceramic bead-containing thermosetting road marking composition admixture when deposited onto a road surface said method comprising heating ceramic beads; admixing said heated ceramic beads with a liquid thermosetting road marking composition to form a substantially homogeneous admixture prior to depositing the homogeneous admixture onto the road surface; and depositing said admixture of heated ceramic beads and thermosetting road marking composition onto the road surface whereby said admixture drys at an accelerated rate.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said thermosetting road marking composition comprises a thermosetting epoxy resin.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the temperature of the ceramic beads is from about 100° F. to about 500° F.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said thermosetting road marking composition comprises a thermosetting epoxy resin comprising 3.0 parts of epoxide to about 1.0 part or hardener.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said thermosetting road marking composition comprises a thermosetting epoxy resin is at a temperature of about 70° to about 200° F. and a viscosity of about of 6,000 to 9,000 cps at about 125° F.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said heated ceramic beads are glass beads.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to claims  6  wherein retroreflective particles are scattered onto the surface of the substantially homogenous admixture after it is applied to the pavement surface  
     
     
         8 . The method according to claims  7  wherein said retroflective particles are glass beads.  
     
     
         9 . A method of marking a pavement surface, said method comprising applying to the surface of said pavement a substantially homogeneous admixture comprising heated ceramic beads and a thermosetting road marking composition said substantially homogeneous admixture having an accelerated drying and depositing the admixture of heated ceramic beads and thermosetting road marking composition onto the pavement surface.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein said substantially homogeneous admixture is applied as a hot spray.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to claims  9  wherein retroreflective particles are scattered onto the surface of the substantially homogenous admixture after it is applied to the pavement surface.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to claims  9  wherein said retroflective particles are glass beads.