Adsil Glass Coating Study

Paint markings on runways and taxiways are damaged from ultraviolet rays, stained by aircraft fuel, and discolored. Glass coatings, used as a sealant for the paint, have shown promise as a possible solution to these problems.

The research effort described in this report investigates the effectiveness of an Anchored Dendritic Silicate Interactive Linkages (Adsil) Ambient Temperature Cure glass coating material in protecting the color and retro-reflectivity of the paint markings. The paint markings in this study included two types of beads for better visual acquisition.

Testing was conducted at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station and Whitehouse Outlying Landing Field. The tests measured resistance to abrasion, mildew, rust staining, oil staining, and ultraviolet weathering.

The results of the tests showed Adsil glass coating reduced retro-reflectivity. The white markings with type I beads and Adsil reduced the retro-reflectivity by 66% from 318 to 109 millicandelas per meter squared per lux (mcd/m2/lx). The white markings with type III beads and Adsil reduced the retro-reflectivity by 57% from 1270 to 549 mcd/m2/lx. The yellow marking with type I beads and Adsil reduced the retro-reflectivity by 34% from 144 to 94 mcd/m2/lx. The yellow markings with type III beads and Adsil reduced the retro-reflectivity by 44% from 475 to 265 mcd/m2/lx. The combination of Adsil coating with type I beads was not recommended due to the very low retro-reflectivity of 109 mcd/m2/lx for white and 94 mcd/m2/lx for yellow. When using type III beads, the retro-reflectivity, while still reduced (549 mcd/m2/lx for white and 265 mcd/m2/lx for yellow), was not as low as with type I beads. In the second case, Adsil should only be considered when other benefits such as resistance to mildew, rust staining, and oil staining would make the reduced retro-reflectivity an acceptable compromise.

DOT/FAA/AR-TN05-43
Author: Holly Cyrus