Stop Sign and Parking Sign Material Specifications
Let's Compare Stop Sign and Parking Sign Materials.
Engineer Grade
(silver/ white)
High Intensity
(silver/ white)
Diamond Grade
(silver/ white)
Diamond Grade
(fluorescent Yellow)
Diamond Grade
(fluorescent yel./green)
How Bright is the Sign?
By Day
27
34.8
40
45
60
This measures a sign "Cap Y" Value, a common way to determine how dull or bright the sign is during the daytime. Shown here is the minimum Daytime Luminance Limit y%.
At Night (for car or SUV)
30
95
400
240
320
This measures, approximately, the reflectance of a sign, when seen by the driver of a car or SUV. For the car, the reflectance is higher, for an SUV, the reflectance is lower. In particular, the amount shown here is the coefficient of retroreflection as measured in candelas per footcandle per sq ft at an observation angle of 0.5º and an entrance angle of -4º.
At Night (for a truck)
–
10
120
72
96
Like above, but the values here approximate the reflectance of the Stop sign for a driver of a truck. Note, however, that a truck typically observes a sign at an angle of 0.8º and the measurements here are actually at an observation angle of 1.0º and entrance angle of -4º.
At Night (when seen at an angle)
30
175
215
130
170
Many times a stop sign is seen at an angle. The values here are the measurements here are actually the candelas per footcandle per sq ft for the stop sign at an observation angle of 0.3º and entrance angle of +30º.
How Durable is the Sign?
7 years
(3M warranty discontinued)
10 years
12 years
10 years
10 years
This is the 3M Warranty period. In practice, many signs last longer. Yet, in certain climates, your sign may degrade at a faster rate.
Used for Stop Signs?
Retroreflective Sign Element
Beads
Prismatic
Prismatic
Prismatic
Prismatic
There are two basic technologies used for reflective stop signs or other parking signs – glass beads or prisms.
3M Material Used for Signs
3270
3930
4090
4081
4083
This is the typical material from 3M used for these types of signs.