3M’s Retroreflective Tape – Outsmart the Dark

Traveling in Northern Minnesota can be challenging, especially in the winter months when we have limited daylight hours. Those dark hours make it hard to see things at night. What you do see clearly are traffic signs along the road that shine brightly in the darkness. What you may not know is those signs are retroreflective sheeting, inks, and overlays by 3M. For over 80 years, 3M has been making roads safer. Numerous studies, including one by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, have shown that adding retroreflective tape to vehicles can help prevent roadway accidents, injuries, and deaths.

I decided I was going to buy some of this material and test it out. I was so impressed by the simplicity of just sticking it on and seeing firsthand the extra safety measures it adds to my 4-wheeler, trailer, and mailbox. I used PN: 19-913-32-2"X18"-ND in my example images below. Here is more information on the 913 series.

(Image source: Kathy Hutton)

(Image source: Kathy Hutton)

(Image source: Kathy Hutton)

Below you’ll see there are three different performance levels and the applications for which they are best used. Diamond Grade reflective sheeting (DG3) meets ASTM D4956 Type XI. This highly reflective sheeting uses 100% efficient full-cube prismatic technology that reflects almost twice the amount of light back to its source as high-intensity prismatic sheeting. High-intensity prismatic sheeting meets middle-grade performance standards and ASTM D4956, Type IV. This reflective sheeting uses polycarbonate cube corner technology and is often used for reflective traffic and road signs. Engineering Grade is when safety is a concern, but in a non-critical location (an example of this might be a mailbox). The information referenced is from here.

(Image source: 3M)

At DigiKey, we offer a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes of all of these tapes, and we currently have over 900+ part numbers available to order. If there is something we don’t have, we can offer you a quote with no obligations. Just contact us at [email protected].

Here is some additional information that I found helpful when researching this product line.

• How to apply and remove click here
• Great case study to show the difference this product can make in everyday life
• Press Release on the UN Road Safety Initiative
• High-risk rural roads

In conclusion, 3M’s retroreflective tape is an investment in safety for you, your passengers, and other drivers. This is a must-have for motorcycles, trailers, tractors, campers, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles, mailboxes, boats, bicycles, golf carts, icehouses, scooters, clothing, shoes, bike helmets, life jackets, kids backpacks, posts, stairs, low-hanging objects, and even your deer stand. The applications are endless. What would be your application? We’d love to hear about it or any questions you have on our TechForum.