Airport pearl

　　Airport-specific high-refractive-index glass microbeads

　　 1. Product Introduction

　　Compared to ordinary road markings, airport runway markings, due to their unique application environment, should have higher brightness requirements and a longer recognition distance.

　　Ordinary glass beads with a refractive index of 1.5, commonly used for road markings, cannot meet the requirements for runway guidance lines. Therefore, major airports across China increasingly adopt a combination of conventional pavement markings and guiding lights to achieve their intended purpose. However, since guiding lights are actively illuminated, they cannot determine from which direction an aircraft is approaching. To achieve the desired effect, it is necessary to increase both the number and luminous intensity of these lights, which in turn leads to unnecessary energy waste and light pollution.

　　The GY2PLUS series glass beads used at airports feature a higher refractive index and are specially melted from optical glass tailored to meet airport requirements. These products boast a more sophisticated optical design. With their highly reflective performance, they are particularly well-suited for runway guidance markings at airports. Their reflection distance is exceptionally long—理论上, they can reach the maximum distance required by aircraft pilots.

　　 2. Product Performance and Advantages

　　2.1 High retroreflective luminance coefficient

　　Featuring a sophisticated and rational optical design, this product boasts high brightness. Its retroreflective luminance coefficient, with a typical refractive index of 1.5, ranges from 150 to 300 mcd·m⁻²·lx⁻¹. The retroreflective luminance coefficient of this product can exceed 1000 mcd·m⁻²·lx⁻¹.

　　2.2 Long visual range—under ideal conditions, the visual range can theoretically extend to the maximum distance required by aircraft pilots.

Figure illustrating the light reflection paths of RI 1.9 high-refractive-index glass beads versus those of ordinary glass beads.

　　2.3 Energy Conservation

　　Passive retroreflective materials reflect light back to its source—meaning they bounce the light emitted by aircraft right back to the pilots, providing them with precise visual cues without consuming any additional energy.

　　2.4 Concealment

　　It does not emit light actively; therefore, when no light shines on it at night, it won't be detected. Even if illuminated by aircraft lights at night, it will only alert the pilot—other directions will generally remain undetected. This characteristic makes it particularly suitable for use at military airfields and on ships where aircraft are taking off and landing, offering greater stealth compared to conventional guidance lights.

　　2.5 Easy to Construct

　　This product is suitable for a wide variety of marking paints and line-marking equipment, and requires no modifications to the line-marking equipment. It can be applied using conventional construction methods and standard construction tools. It can be used in combination with other reflective devices to provide a variety of solutions.

　　2.6 Utilizing a special surface treatment process, this product exhibits excellent adhesion to various types of coatings and is resistant to peeling. Its outstanding chemical stability and superior mechanical performance ensure a long service life.

　　 3. Technical Specifications:

　　3.1 Appearance: White, light yellow transparent sphere

　　3.2 Refractive index: 1.90–1.93

　　3.3 Specific Gravity: 4.2 ± 0.1 g/cm³

　　3.4 Particle Size Distribution: 300–850 microns; select according to requirements.

　　3.5 Roundness Rate: ≥80%

　　3.6 Surface Treatment: Available with adhesion-enhancing, moisture-proof, and anti-fouling functions.

　　 4. Application Cases

　　An aircraft pilot’s reliance on runway markings is comparable to a car driver’s reliance on road markings—especially in adverse weather conditions or low-light environments. Even with navigation aids and lights, pilots often find themselves in confusing situations where they cannot clearly see the continuous markings on the runway, thereby increasing risks. If runway markings were always clearly visible, it would undoubtedly enhance pilots’ reaction times and significantly improve flight safety.

　　The confusing situation pilots encounter at night when viewing taxiways, caused by interference from taxiway lighting:

　　And the on-site condition after repainting the reflective markings with high-refractive-index glass beads:

　　Comparison between the two: