Skid-Resistant Pavement Markings

The present invention relates to the use of particles to prevent skidding and in particular to the prevention of skidding on pavement marking sheets.

Pavement marking sheets or tapes are well known to convey information to drivers of motor vehicles and pedestrians. The marking sheets typically have a highly visible color and often employ retroreflective particles for nighttime use.

Representative of pavement-marking sheet materials are U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,192 to Jorgensen (also disclosing irregular skid-resistant materials); U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,932 to Tung (disclosing skid-resisting irregular or angular inorganic particles, and optionally retroreflective spheres, scattered over the surface as being more skid-resistant than dense packed particles. The disclosed sheet material has a skid-resistance of at least 55 BPN); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,469 to Lange (disclosing an embossed retroreflecting pattern on a marking tape with optional embedded skid-resisting particles.

Anti-skid properties are desirable on many surfaces and are particularly desirable in pavement marking tapes in order to reduce slipping by pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles upon the tapes. Several European governments have specified desirable levels of skid-resistance properties for pavement marking sheet materials. The specifications call for a minimum level of initial skid-resistance and retention of a significant level of skid-resistance "in use." When installed upon a pavement surface, (ie. "in use"), the marking tapes are subjected to an environment which is quite severe.

In the pavement marking industry, skid-prevention properties are typically imparted by embedding hard, crystalline particles with sharp points on an upper surface of the pavement marking tape. Typical examples of such conventionally employed particles include corundum (aluminum oxide) and quartz (sand, silicon dioxide, or micronized quartz). These particles are capable of achieving relatively good initial skid-resistance, however, the initial skid-resistance begins to decrease rapidly once the marking tape is exposed to traffic. Specifically, the impact of tires, the abrasion of loose dirt and sand, and the corrosion of salt and water contribute to loss of skid-resistance. The loss of skid-resistance is typically caused by some combination of at least one of two mechanisms. First, the crystalline materials have a tendency to fracture along crystalline planes. Second, the particles may become loosened from the embedding matrix.

One type of pavement marking tape, which employs a tough, durable top layer which resists wear or ablating and includes partially embedded crystalline particles to impart skid-resistance is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,211 to Ludwig Eigenmann. The Eigenmann product is a pavement marker with a plurality of particles bonded to a layer and projecting outwardly. The particles have a minimum hardness of about 6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale and include a pointed end portion projecting outwardly for imparting good anti skid properties. However, poor retention of acceptable skid-resistance in use has been observed.

An alternative product attempts to counter the above mechanisms by providing an ablative pavement marking sheet which has crystalline particles distributed throughout the thickness of the marking sheet, thereby continuously exposing fresh skid-resistant particles as the marking sheet wears. One drawback to the ablative marking tapes is maintaining an acceptable and informative color "in use," since ablative materials are typically soft and tend to become embedded with dirt. (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,432).

A type of particle, previously unknown to the pavement marking industry is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,230. The ceramic particles are taught to be useful as proppants in oil well hydraulic fracturing to improve pumping production. The particles comprise a vitreous matrix phase containing a crystalline alumina phase. The particles are characterized by a Krumbein roundness of at least 0.8 (1.0 representing a perfect sphere) and are highly chemically stable.

Canadian Patent No. 1002803 discloses an iron paving slab with recesses into which a binder and pulverized material, such as a ceramic is coated.

Japanese Patent No. 60130660 discloses a melt application type non-slip material which is filled with ceramic aggregate of baked silica, alumina, or clay and pigments.

Swiss Patent No. 541674 another Eigenmann patent discloses the use of globules of a binding material containing corundum (Aluminum Oxide).

West German Patent No. 2927362 discloses a material for abrasion resistant surfaces comprising glass powder embedded in a polymer matrix.

We have discovered that spheroidal, crush resistant ceramic particles originally developed for use as proppants in the hydraulic fracturing method of increasing oil well production impart improved skid-resistance when partially embedded in a surface of a matrix layer. The particles also demonstrate excellent particle retention in comparison with conventional pointed skid-resistance particles presently employed in the pavement marking industry. Further, the use of these particles allows the surface to retain a surprisingly high level of skid-resistance over a long period of time.

Our discovery of a novel use for these spheroidal particles as anti-skid particles allows the production of highly skid-resistant pavement marking sheets. The sheets include a matrix layer and a plurality of crush resistant ceramic particles partially embedded in and protruding from the matrix layer. The skid-resistant sheets retain a high level of skid-resistance while exposed to severe road environment conditions for a surprisingly long time.

Additionally, the spherical particles can be custom colored or coated to match the color of pavement marking tape.

In one aspect, the present invention concerns a durable, skid-resistant surface, which is useful as a pavement marking sheet material, the surface including a plurality of substantially spherical, crush resistant particles partially embedded in a matrix layer.

In another aspect, the present invention concerns a method of producing a durable skid-resistant sheet material.

In yet another aspect, the present invention concerns a method to prevent skidding by embedding spherical ceramic crush resistant particles in a matrix.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a pavement marking sheet of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph of skid-resistance of a pavement marking tape of this invention and a comparative tape of sand over extended time.

FIG. 3 is a graph of skid-resistance of 2 pavement marking tapes of this invention and 2 tapes of conventional skid-resistant particle over time.

In an effort to enhance both the skid-resistance and durability of skid-resistance of pavement marking sheet materials, a number of particles were tested as alternatives to typically employed highly pointed crystalline particles such as "Sand Saba Sand." One of the particles tested, a spheroidal, crush resistant ceramic particle demonstrated surprisingly superior skid-resistance and durability of skid-resistance. The particle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,230, which is incorporated herein by reference. The spheroidal particles typically have a Krumbein roundness of at least about 0.8. A theoretically perfect sphere is defined as having a Krumbein roundness of 1.0. The particles usually range in size from about 0.3 mm to about 2.0 mm in diameter, more typically from about 0.4 mm to about 1.2 mm in diameter, and preferably from about 0.4 mm to about 1.0 mm in diameter, although alternative screening processes may be employed to produce other ranges of particles diameters.

The particles include a high alumina content. The porous core is typically a blend of from 10 to 90% wt. Alumina, preferably a 50--50 blend of crystalline Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and vitrified mineral fines, with a higher concentration of alumina near the surface of the spheroid than in the center.

The ceramic particles allow for the production of pavement marking sheet material with surface frictional properties of at least about 45 British Pendulum Number (BPN) as determined by ASTM E303 when exposed to traffic for a substantial period of time in the wheel track on a typical pavement. The particles also may be colored to match the color of pavement marking tapes. The color coated particles are particularly advantageous in that a pavement marking tape including a plurality of protruding skid-resistant particles has a more uniform color appearance, which in turn improves the efficiency of an observer in discerning the information to be conveyed by the marking strip.

In the crush resistance test described hereinafter, the spheroidal particles typically have less than about 22 wt. % fractured at an applied pressure of approximately 69 MPa, compared to Ottawa sand which typically has about 41% wt. fractured at about 69 MPa. The particles are essentially insoluble in salt water solutions. The Critical Stress Intensity Factor, a measure of fracture toughness of the particles, K.sub.IC, can be approximately twice that of sand, being typically more than about 1.5 Mn/m.sup.3/2 compared to about 0.7 for sand. K.sub.IC, as explained by B. R. Lawn et al. in J. American Ceramics Soc., Vol. 63, p. 574 (1980), is determined by microscopic examination of fractures originating from a diamond imprint on a polished surface of a particle and is calculated as K.sub.IC =0.28E.sup.1/2 H.sup.1/2 a.sup.2 c.sup.-3/2, where "E" is the bulk modulus, "H" is the Vicker's hardness, "a" is the length of a diagonal of the diamond imprint and "c" is the length of a plus the length of a fracture originating at a corner of the diamond imprint. The Mohs hardness of the particles is typically 7 or higher, similar to that of sand.

A pavement marking sheet material incorporating the present invention is generally shown in FIG. 1 at 10. The sheet 10 includes a first layer 12, in contact with a pavement surface 14. Optionally, a fine layer of adhesive material 15 may be interposed between the first layer 12 and the pavement 14. A second layer 16 is coated upon the underlying first layer 12. The second layer 16 has an uppermost or top surface 20. In a pavement marking sheet 10, the uppermost or top surface 20 may be described as that surface which would contact a vehicle tire or the bottom surface of a pedestrian's foot.

Protruding from and partially embedded in the uppermost surface 20 of the second layer of the marking sheet are a plurality of crush resistant, ceramic spheroids 22 which impart skid-resistance to the uppermost surface 20.

In one alternative embodiment, the uppermost surface 20 may be an embossed or patterned surface and need not be limited to a smooth, continuous surface but rather may be adapted to facilitate rapid drainage of water. Additionally, the uppermost surface may optionally include retroreflective beads 24 or other equivalent materials commonly associated with pavement marking sheet materials.

Suitable material for the second layer 16 may be either a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymeric binder. One such binder is a vinyl-based thermoplastic resin including a white pigment, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,192 incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable materials for the second layer 16 include two-part polyurethane formed by reacting polycaprolactone diols and triols with derivatives of hexamethylene diisocyanate; epoxy based resins as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,932, U.S. Pat. No. 3,436,359, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,887; and blocked polyurethane compositions as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,859. Also suitable as a material for the second layer 16 are polyurethane compositions comprised of a moisture activated curing agent and a polyisocyanate prepolymer. The moisture activated curing agent is preferably an oxazolidene ring. Such compositions are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,388.

The preferred polyurethane material is formed by first reacting two equivalents of methylene bis (4-cyclohexyl isocyanate) (H.sub.12 MDI) with one equivalent of a polycaprolactone triol of molecular weight about 540 and hydroxyl number about 310 (i.e., a 2-oxypanone polymer with 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3 propanediol) using dibutyltindilaurate as a catalyst. The reaction is carried out in 2-ethoxyethyl acetate and cyclohexanone. To 25 parts of prepolymer is also added 20 parts of a 60/40 pigment dispersion of pigments such as either titanium dioxide or lead chromate in a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy resin (a suitable source is Stan-Tone.RTM. 10 EPX03 or 30 EPX03 made by Harwick Chemical Corp. of Akron, Ohio). Zinc 2-ethylhexanoate catalyst is added to the liquid mixture shortly before coating or applying the liquid mixture to the first layer 12. Inclusion of up to about 10% 2,4 pentanedione in the preferred bead bond extends the pot life of the coating mixture from about 1.5 hours to about 15 hours.

Useful ranges of pigment dispersion which may be included in the second layer 16 are 10-30 parts per 25 parts of urethane prepolymer. Hydrogenated expoxies may also be employed. Other useful pigments include nacreous pigments (such as lead sulfate) and yellow iron derived pigments. Other pigments typically used for coloring pavement markings may also be used.

Generally, suitable materials for the second layer 16, such as described above, are characterized by excellent adhesion to skid-resistant particles 22 which are subsequently partially embedded in the second layer 16 prior to curing. Additionally, the material of the second layer 16 strongly adheres to the base sheet material of the first layer 12, is highly cohesive and resistant to environmental weathering.

A pavement marking sheet of this invention may be prepared by providing a base sheet, coating a face of the base sheet with a liquid bonding material, embedding the crush resistant spheroids in the liquid bonding material and curing or solidifying the bonding material to embed the particles in a partially protruding orientation on the marking sheet. The base sheet may be prepared, for example, as previously disclosed in the Jordan Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,432. Preferably, a portion of polyester fibers, may be included in the mixture. In this method, a mixture is formed, then calendared into a sheet or "premix." The premix is subsequently coated with a liquid bonding material, such as a urethane resin including a catalyst and preferably including a pigment, such as TiO.sub.2. A spreading bar is a suitable method of application. The crush resistant spheroids are embedded in the liquid bonding material by cascading or sprinking. Subsequently, curing of the bonding material by exposure to moisture and/or heat in an oven, solidifies the bonding material and locks the spheroids in a partially embedded position which allows skid-resistance properties to be imparted to the surface.

The preferred ceramic spheroids may be prepared as follows: a mixture of dry raw materials including a mineral particulate and a binder are pelletized in a high energy pelletizing apparatus, by adding water. The resulting wet product is dried, then mixed with a parting agent. Subsequently, the dried pellets and parting agent are fired to cause vitrification to occur.

Machines known as high energy mix pelletizers are best suited for the pellet formation step. Two examples of such machines are the Littleford mixer and the machine known as the Eirich machine. The Eirich machine is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,622, incorporated herein by reference. The Eirich machine comprises basically a rotatable cylindrical container, the central axis of which is at an angle to the horizontal, one or more deflector plates, and at least one rotatable impacting impeller usually located below the apex of the path of rotation of the cylindrical container. The rotatable impacting impeller engages the material being mixed and may rotate at a higher angular velocity than the rotatable cylindrical container itself.

Numerous variation of the above particles have also been prepared and are contemplated as part of the subject invention. For example, 3M roofing granule mineral fines of approximately 8 um diameter or less may be substituted for the nepheline syenite fines. The amount of water employed in the pelletizing step may be increased to provide somewhat more irregular shaped particles. The coarse alumina is preferably employed as a parting agent during the firing step, however, the course alumina may be partially or completely replaced by fine calcined alumina or alumina hydrate.

Particles offered commercially by Carbo Ceramics of New Iberia, La. 70560, known as Carbolite and Carboprop are also suitable as durable anti-skid particles in this invention. Suitable particles made of clay and bauxite are also sold commercially by Norton-Alcoa. Another source of durable spherical particles which are believed suitable for practicing the present invention are the particles described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,072,193 and 4,106,947 which are monoclinic and cubic zirconium embedded in a modified alumino-silicate glass. Such particles are available from Messina, Inc. of Dallas, Tex. under the name "Z-prop."

An important parameter for evaluating particles is crush strength or crush resistance. Means for evaluating the crush resistance of the particles are found in American Petroleum Institute Publications such as: "API Recommended Practices for Testing Sand Used in Hydraulic Fracturing Operations" API RP 56, 1st Edition, (March, 1983) and "API Recommended Practices for Testing High Strength Proppants Used in Hydraulic Fracturing Operations," 3rd Edition, (January, 1983). Crush resistance is measured by placing a sample of particulate material into a test apparatus with a die cavity having an internal diameter of about 57 mm. The test volume of the particulate sample is equivalent to the volume which would be occupied by 1.95 g./cm2 of 0.85. to 0.425 mm sand in the test cell. A steel plunger or piston applies pressure to the particulate material inside the cavity at a rate of 1 minute to achieve the test pressure, for example about 69 MPa, and 2 minutes at total pressure, after which the pressure is released.

Subsequently, the sample is screened between screens having openings of approximately 0.85, 0.425 or 0.297 mm, for 10 minutes on a screen vibrator such as a ROTAP type screen vibrator available from the Taylor division of the Combustion Engineering Company of Ohio, and the percentage of fines less than 0.425 mm in largest dimension is recorded. More crush resistant particulate materials exhibit minimal weight percent fines produced in the crush resistance test.

Alternative embodiments of skid-resistant surfaces of the present invention include sheet materials for application to road surfaces and also lane marking lines. The skid-resistant spheroids are dropped or cascaded either simultaneously or sequentially with retroreflective materials onto wet paint or hot thermoplastic materials, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,351, incorporated herein by reference. In each of these alternative embodiments, a matrix is present and serves to hold the crush resistant particles in a partially embedded and partially protruding orientation which allows the particles to increase friction on the exposed surface. Alternative coating compositions which serve as a matrix and include the skid-resistant spherical particles described herein are also contemplated as included within the scope of the present invention.

The ceramic particles could be incorporated into thermoplastic resin marking systems to impart more durable skid-resistance to markings made using this type of composition.

In addition to the pavement marking sheet or tape construction previously described, other tape constructions can be made which incorporate and benefit from the use of the above-described ceramic particles. In particular, the use of a polyurethane topcoat is not limited to the composition previously disclosed, but could include any of a variety of aliphatic compositions such as those described by Sengupta, Ethen, and Jordan in their patent applications U.S. Ser. No. 744,494, filed June 13, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,388,359 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,432, respectively. Use of particles in conjunction with epoxy coatings and foil backings such as is described in Tung and Frost (U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,932) is also possible.

Possible modifications or equivalents to this invention include the use of ceramic anti-skid particles in tape constructons where the first layer 12 is replaced by aluminum foil, an impregnated non-woven scrim, or eliminated altogether. The aliphatic polyurethane of the topcoat could be replaced with vinyl, epoxy resin, polyester resin, or polyamide resin.

In addition to the use of these particles in tape constructions, use in durable paint compositions is also envisioned. The durable paints could be two component systems such as epoxies or polyurethanes or may also be drying and curing type paints, such as thermoplastic polyurethanes, alkyds, acrylics, polyesters, or equivalents.

White anti-skid particles were prepared as follows:

A dry blend of the following materials, having particle sizes which pass through screen openings of about 45 micrometers, were mixed for about 3 minutes in an Eirich Machine Inc. RV02 Mix Pelletizer:

15 wt. % water was added over a period of one minute. The water was dispersed throughout the mixture by mixing for approximately an additional 15 minutes with the Eirich machine cylindrical container rotating at about 66 rpm and the impeller rotating at about 2230 rpm. The impeller rotation was subsequently reduced to about 1115 rpm for about 20 minutes. The result was agglomerated particles predominately having a diameter of from about 0.85 to about 0.425 mm. The particles were dried for about 16 hours at approximately 125.degree. C.

A mixture of 86 wt. % dried agglomerated particles and 14 wt. % fine (i.e. less than about 45 micrometers) aluminum hydroxide (Solem Industries, Norcross, Ga. was fed into a tube kiln rotating at about 3 rpm, inclined at about a 2 degree angle to horizontal, and operated at a firing temperature of about 1315.degree. C. The kiln length was about 213 cm and kiln diameter was about 14 cm. The fired particles were subsequently screened to remove any excess parting agent. The screening process produced particles primarily having a diameter from about 0.85 to about 0.425 mm in diameter. The particles were white and had a specific gravity of about 3.15 and a loose bulk density of about 1.6 g/cc. The particles showed less than 15% wt. fines could be separated after 69 MPa pressure (crush resistance test).

Other properties were generally consistent with the particles described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,230.

Brown anti-skid particles were prepared as follows:

A dry blend of the following materials, having particle sizes which pass through screen openings of about 45 micrometers, were mixed for about 3 minutes in an Eirich Machine Inc. RV02 Mix Pelletizer:

16.1 wt. % water was added over a period of 45 seconds. The water was dispersed throughout the mixture by mixing for approximately an additional 5 minutes with the Eirich machine cylindrical container rotating at about 66 rpm and the impeller rotating at about 2230 rpm. The impeller rotation was subsequently reduced to about 1115 rpm for about 3 minutes. The result was agglomerated particles predominately having a diameter of from about 0.85 to about 0.425 mm. The particles were dried for about 16 hours at approximately 125.degree. C.

A mixture of 80 wt. % dried agglomerated particles and 20 wt. % coarse (ie. less than about 150 micrometers but more than 45 micrometers) calcined alumina (A-2 from Alcoa Alumina Co.) was fed into a tube kiln rotating at about 2 rpm, inclined at about a 1 degree angle to horizontal, and operated at a firing temperature of about 1206.degree. C. The kiln length was about 213 cm and kiln diameter was about 14 cm. The fired particles were subsequently screened to remove any excess alumina. By excess alumina is meant alumina which failed to associate with a particle. The screening process produced particles primarily having a diameter from about 0.85 to about 0.425 mm in diameter. The particles were brown and had a specific gravity of about 2.80 and a loose bulk density of about 1.29 g/cc. Less than 22% particles could be screened at 69 MPa.

Other properties were generally consistent with the particles described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,230. Coarse alumina was attached onto the surface of the particles to form a rough surface.

A pavement marking tape of this invention was constructed by coating a liquid polyurethane coating onto a calendered acrylonitrile rubber sheet, dropping on ceramic spheroids of Example 1 above, which became embedded in the coating layer. Subsequently, the liquid polyurethane coating was cured to a hard, dry film. In particular, an acrylonitrile rubber sheet with the following composition was made by mixing the ingredients together in approximately the following proportions in an internal mixer (a Farrel-Banbury mixer) at about 50 rpm and about 135.degree. C. for about 5 minutes:

After removal from the Banbury mixer, the mixture of materials was milled to a thickness of about 12.7 mm on a two roll rubber mill. Then, thickness was further reduced to about 1.3 mm in a calender stack operating at temperature of about 85.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C. The mixture of materials traveled between the rollers at a rate of about 13.7 to about 15.3 meters per minute. The calendered web was wound into rolls with a polyethylene film interliner.

Sheets of the above web (referred to as a "premix") were unwound from the roll and coated with a solution of a liquid or uncured polyurethane resin mixture of approximately the following composition:

The above solution was coated onto the premix or web at a thickness of about 0.254 mm and air dried to a tacky state. At ambient conditions, the pre-drying generally required from about 10 to 15 minutes. The spheroids of Example 1 were distributed over the tacky surface of the polyurethane at a rate of 48.8 grams/sq m. and the construction was dried and cured for 10 minutes at 121.degree. C. Retention of the spheroids may also be improved by silane treatment.

A polybutadiene rubber pressure sensitive adhesive (specifically, PM 7701 from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.) was laminated to the backside of the premix completing the product construction.

A pavement-marking tape of this invention was prepared by the method of Example 3, except that spheroids prepared in Example 2 were substituted for the spheroids of Example 1.

A pavement-marking tape of this invention was prepared by the method of Example 3, except that spheroids prepared in Example 2 were extensively tumbled, screened to remove most of the fines, and subsequently substituted for the spheroids of Example 1.

A pavement-marking tape was prepared, for comparative purposes, by substituting sand for the spheroids of Example 1 in a pavement-marking tape prepared by the method of Example 3.

A pavement-marking tape was prepared, for comparative purposes, by substituting alumina for the spheroids of Example 1 in a pavement-marking tape prepared by the method of Example 3.

Portions of the products of Examples 3 through 7 were tested for skid-resistance and durability. The portions of each product were similarly exposed to traffic. The comparative results are presented in FIGS. 2 or 3. Each data point represents the anti-skid properties observed after exposure time as tested on a British Skid Resistance Tester.

In FIG. 2, portions of the pavement marking tapes from Example 4 and 6 are compared. The tape including spheroids (Example 4) has an initial skid-resistance of about 90 BPN while the tape including sand (Example 6) has an initial skid-resistance of about 60 BPN. Both tapes show a decrease in skid-resistance in the first 3 months of exposure to traffic and more constant skid-resistance properties from about 5 months to the termination of the test at about 22 months.

However, skid-resistance properties of the spheroid embedded tape (Example 4) during the 5 to 22 month period fall generally within the range of about 45 to about 53 BPN while the sand embedded tape (Example 6) is within the much lower range of about 18 to 20 BPN. Thus, the spheroid embedded tape (Example 4) is initially more skid-resistant and maintains a superior level of skid-resistance relative to the sand embedded tape (Example 6). Further, the skid-resistance, for the spheroid embedded tape, (Example 4) during the 5 to 22 month period is approximately half of the initial skid-resistance, while the sand embedded tape (Example 6) shows only about one-third of the initial skid-resistance. Thus, the spheroid embedded pavement marking tapes are more durable in skid-resistance in this test than the sand embedded pavement marking tape. Additionally, more than 80% of the spheroids were retained on the coated surface in this test.

In FIG. 3, pavement marking tape having embedded spheroids prepared with a fine parting agent, Aluminum Hydroxide less than 45 micrometers (Example 3) is compared to tapes having embedded sand or alumina. The spheroid tape (Example 3) has an initial skid-resistance of about 77 BPN and drops to about 56 BPN in seven weeks of exposure to traffic. By comparison, the sand embedded tape (Example 6) drops from an initial skid-resistance of about 62 BPN to about 48 BPN by seven weeks. The alumina embedded tape (Example 7) drops from an initial skid-resistance of about 73 BPN to about 44 BPN by seven weeks. Thus, the spheroid embedded tape of Example 3 exceeds the performance of the comparison tapes of Examples 6 and 7. Further, the alumina embedded tape Example 7 although initially nearing the spheroid embedded tape Example 3 in skid-resistance quickly drops in skid-resistance to levels slightly below the sand embedded tape. A tape with extensively tumbled particles from Example 5 is also shown and generally duplicates the results from Example 3.

Colors other than white may be prepared by applying a surface color coating to the ceramic spheroids. For example, the preferred particles may be colored orange to indicate the presence of a construction work zone, or blue to indicate the presence of a handicapped parking zone, or yellow to indicate a traffic lane boundary, or black to visually blend into asphalt pavement or contrast with a light colored pavement. A sol of about 33% solids sodium silicate in water, having a SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O ratio of about 2.75 could be added to the spheroids of Example 1 (weight ratio of about 3.8% sol to 96.2% spheroids) and mixed in a Hobart Mixer for about 1 minute. The particles should be previously pre-heated to 120.degree. C. Color pigment powder may then be added while stirring for approximately another minute. For example, addition of at least about 5% lead molyldate will result in orange particles, or at least about 1% cobalt oxide will result in blue particles, or at least about 5% yellow iron oxide pigment optionally replaced in part or totally by lead chromate will result in yellow particles, or at least about 5% carbon black will result in black particles. The resulting mixture could be dried at 230.degree. C. and the excess pigment removed by screening. By excess pigment is meant any pigment not adhering to the particles and capable of passing through the openings of the screen. Additional coats can be applied to achieve a thicker color coating.

Alternatively, the preferred particles could be colored throughout the ceramic portion, by inclusion of various trace amounts of materials in the ceramic mixture. For example, inclusion of a small amount of iron impurities causes a brown color, or inclusion of a small amount of cobalt oxide causes a blue color, or lead antimonate or lead chromate causes a yellow color. Other colors are available by reviewing the text C. W. Parmelae, Ceramic Glazes (1951), Industrial Publications, Chicago, Illinois.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.