BS6088 Glass Beads: Everything You Need to Know

In modern road safety systems, reflective glass beads play a crucial role in ensuring that road markings remain visible at night and in poor weather conditions. Among the various international standards, BS6088 glass beads are one of the most recognized and widely used types in road marking applications.

What Are BS6088 Glass Beads?

BS6088 glass beads are small, spherical particles made from high-quality glass, used primarily in road marking paints and thermoplastic paints to enhance nighttime visibility. These beads are manufactured in compliance with the British Standard BS6088, which ensures their size distribution, refractive index, and roundness meet strict optical and durability requirements.

When applied to road markings, the glass beads reflect the light from vehicle headlights back to drivers, providing retroreflectivity that greatly improves road safety in low-light and rainy conditions. The level of reflectivity is often tested using a retroreflectometer, a device that measures how effectively the beads return light to its source — a key factor in evaluating road marking performance.

BS6088 Standard Classification

The BS6088 standard divides glass beads into two main types based on their size and application method:

Type A – Premix Beads

• Added directly into road marking paint or thermoplastic material before application.
• Ensure consistent retroreflectivity throughout the entire life of the marking.
• Commonly used for hot-melt thermoplastic and cold paint road marking systems.

Type B – Drop-On Beads

• Applied on the surface of freshly painted or molten thermoplastic lines.
• Provide immediate night visibility after application.

Advantages of Using BS6088 Glass Beads

• Improved Night-Time Visibility – Reflect vehicle headlights back to drivers, improving road safety.
• Long-Lasting Performance – High hardness and chemical resistance for extended durability.
• Compliance with International Standards – Conforms to BS6088, and often overlaps with EN1423/EN1424, AASHTO M247, or other global standards.
• Customizable Options – Available in different sizes, coatings, and packaging for specific applications.

Applications of BS6088 Glass Beads

BS6088 glass beads are widely used across the road safety and traffic control industries, including:

• Thermoplastic road marking paint
• Cold paint or water-based road marking paint
• Two-component road marking systems
• Airport runways and taxiways

By embedding or dropping the beads onto road markings, drivers can clearly see lane lines even in the dark, fog, or rain — significantly reducing the risk of accidents.

BS6088 vs. EN1423 and AASHTO M247

Although BS6088 is a British standard, it is widely accepted globally. For international projects, BS6088 glass beads are often compared with EN1423 (Europe) and AASHTO M247 (USA).

• BS6088 emphasizes roundness and particle size control.
• EN1423 focuses more on environmental and refractive quality requirements.
• AASHTO M247 is used in North America with similar grading to BS6088 Type I and II.

If your projects involve international road marking specifications, BS6088 beads offer excellent compatibility and quality assurance.

How to Apply BS6088 Glass Beads

• For Premix Beads (Type A): Mix with thermoplastic or paint before road marking application (usually 15–20% by weight).
• For Drop-On Beads (Type B): Apply evenly on the surface of hot thermoplastic or wet paint immediately after line application (typically 250–400 g/m²).
• Ensure the surface is clean and dry for maximum adhesion and reflectivity.

Roadsky: Your Trusted Glass Beads Supplier

As a professional road marking materials supplier, we provide BS6088A and BS6088B glass beads with stable quality, consistent size distribution, and high reflectivity. Our products are exported worldwide and tested according to international road safety standards.

Whether you’re a road marking paint manufacturer or a construction contractor, our BS6088 glass beads ensure reliable performance and long-lasting visibility on every project. Contact us today to get a free sample or quotation. Our team will provide full technical support and export documentation to help your project meet safety and performance standards.