Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is the most durable 2-component paint on the market for line striping high-traffic areas like roadways, parking lots, crosswalks, traffic circles and bus lanes. It bonds to asphalt and concrete pavements, resisting oils, antifreeze, salts and other chemicals commonly found on roadway surfaces. It also withstands the harsh wear and tear of snow plow blades and freezing temperatures, making it a long-term choice for road markings.
MMA can be topped with glass beads to create a highly-reflective coating, which significantly increases visibility in low-light conditions. This is especially beneficial in areas where fading road markings are often a safety hazard, such as pedestrian crossings, bike paths and bus lanes. In addition, MMA is free from harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC) once cured, making it an environmentally responsible choice for road markings.
The long lifespan of MMA paints how long does mma paint last? reduces the need for regular maintenance, saving on application and labour costs. Additionally, a well-applied MMA coat can last three to five times longer than traditional road marking materials such as thermoplastics or epoxy, even in abrasion and impact areas of the roadway.
When it comes to MMA line marking paints, there are two ratios available – 1:1 and 98:2. The 1:1 product has a working life of 10-15 minutes once the catalyst is added. To speed up the process, a spray machine can be used to apply the MMA material.
The 98:2 MMA paint is more user-friendly, and the working life can be extended to 45-60 minutes by adding more catalyst. Whether using the 1:1 or 98:2 version, all surface preparation should be done prior to mixing in the catalyst. MMA paints react exothermically, and it is essential that the product is mixed in a well-ventilated area and not directly exposed to sunlight or other sources of heat.
While MMA is suitable for most applications, it is best used on new HMA pavements or concrete surfaces that have been cleaned and prepared per manufacturer guidelines. It can be applied to previous MMA paint markings, but it is important to ensure that the surfaces are completely dry and that they have not been treated with any waterborne or thermoplastic markings. It can be used to mark intersections and other high stress traffic locations, and it may be topped with skid resistance aggregates to improve traction in colder climates.