Glass bead and prismatic reflective tapes work in different ways to reflect light.
Glass bead reflective tape uses small glass spheres to bend and reflect light back to the light source. They act as a type of parabolic mirror that take in light, bend it, and then bounce it back. These tapes are bright, but imperfections and curved surfaces in the glass beads result in less efficient reflection of light compared to prismatic tapes. Glass bead tapes are approximately 30% efficient in reflecting light.
On the other hand, prismatic reflective tape utilizes man-made prisms to reflect light. These prisms have a tighter and more efficient return of light, resulting in a brighter and tighter beam. Prismatic tapes have a longer operating range, extending beyond the thousand-foot mark. They are particularly suitable for applications where long-distance conspicuity is important, such as marine, highway, or traffic applications. Prismatic reflective tapes are about 80% efficient.
It is worth noting that prismatic tapes were invented by Reflexite Americas in the 1960s, while glass bead tapes have been in use since the 1930s. Despite the advancements in prismatic technology, glass bead tapes have not been entirely replaced because they still have certain characteristics that make them desirable in certain circumstances. Glass bead tapes are less expensive and can be suitable for applications within a 300-foot range.
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