Skip navigation

Research and Testing

Resistance to abrasion

Newly added to the standard are tests on retroreflectivity after surface abrasion.

Passing these abrasion tests proves that plates can resist debris on the road including grit salt, small stones and eroded road surfaces.

How are plates tested?

For over 130 consecutive minutes, a 1kg abrasive tool creates 200mm strokes across the centre of the plate.  To pass, the plate's retro-reflectivity in this 200mm area cannot reduce by more than 19% after abrasion.

What makes a fail?

  • A plate's retroreflectivity reduces more than 19% at any of the 5 angles viewed.