Summary of Material Use

Each of the materials, with the exception of heated-in-place thermoplastic, may be used as either a transverse (shortline) or longitudinal (longline) application, although performance in either case may vary. Further details on the performance of these materials are provided later in this chapter. Ceramic buttons are currently not an approved marking material due to the fact that they are not a retroreflective material and therefore provide poor nighttime visibility. Table 2-5 provides a summary comparison of the characteristics of each material described in this section.
Table 2-5. Summary of Material Use
-
Use Based on Pavement Surface
-
-
-
Material
Conc.
Asp.
Seal.
Lane Closure Required
TxDOT Specifications
See Table #
Thermoplastic
L
Y
Y
No
Yes
2-6, 2-7, 2-8
Water-Based Paint
Y*
Y*
Y*
No
Yes
2-9, 2-10
Preformed Tape
Y
Y
N
Yes
Yes
2-11
Epoxy
Y
Y
L
Yes
Yes**
2-12, 2-13
Polyurea
Y
Y
L
Yes
Yes**
2-14
Modified Urethane
L
L
L
Yes
Yes**
2-15
Methyl Methacrylate
L
L
L
Yes
No
2-17
Profiled Thermoplastic
Y
Y
N
No
Yes
-
Contrast Markings
Y
Y
L
No
No
-
Heated-in-Place Thermoplastic (not for use in longlines)
Y
Y
Y
Yes
Yes
-
Ceramic Buttons
L
N
N
Yes
No
2-15
Y = Suitable for use.
N = Not recommended.
L = Limited use.
* = Refer to
Table 2-10
for traffic volume conditions.
** = Refer to Multipolymer Specification SS 1513.