Product Bulletin 3963 & 3924
November 2003
3M™ Diamond Grade™ Fluorescent LDP
Reflective
Sheeting
3963 Fluorescent Yellow Green and 3924 Fluorescent Orange
Health and Safety
Refer to the package label and the Material Safety
Data Sheet for health, safety, and handling
information on the products referenced in this
bulletin. For 3M products, if necessary, you may
contact our Toxicology/Product Responsibility
Department on 01344 858000.
Photometrics
Daytime Colour (x, y, Y)
The chromaticity co-ordinates and total luminance
factor of the retroreflective sheetings meet the
requirements of Table A below.
Colour Test
Daytime colour requirements of sheeting applied to
aluminium test panels shall be determined
instrumentally using a 2-monochromator
spectrophotometer employing annular 45
o
/0
o
(or
equivalent 0
o
/45
o
) illuminating /viewing geometry.
1,2
The chromaticity co-ordinates and total luminance
factor shall be calculated from the total spectral
radiance factors computed for CIE illuminant D65 in
accordance with ASTM E-308 “Practice for
Computing the Colours of Objects by Using the CIE
System” for the CIE 1931 (2
o
) standard colorimetric
observer. The measurements shall be made on a
Labsphere BPC-450 Bispectral Fluorescent
Colorimeter or equivalent.
1
Description
3M™ Diamond Grade™ Fluorescent LDP Reflective
Sheetings are durable prismatic lens reflective
sheetings that fluoresce when subjected to
wavelengths in the visible spectrum. These
sheetings are designed to be used for vehicle
markings for greatly improved conspicuity. They
will provide higher night-time brightness than glass
bead based retroreflective sheetings and higher
daytime brightness than ordinary (non-fluorescent)
coloured sheeting. Applied to properly prepared
substrates, Diamond Grade fluorescent LDP
reflective sheeting should provide long-term
service.
Colour
Fluorescent Yellow Green
Fluorescent Orange
Material
3963
3924
“Design and testing of a two -monochromator reference
spectrofluorimeter for high -accuracy total radiance factor
measurements” by Joanne C Zwinkels, D.S. Gignac, M
Nevins, I Powell and A Bewsher, Applied Optics, vol. 36 no.
4, pp 892-902 (1997).
2
“Principles of Bispectral Fluorescent Colorimetry” by Jim
Leland, N Johnson and A Arecchi, Proceedings of SPIE -
The International Society for Optical Engineering: vol.
3140, pp. 76-87 (1997)
Table A - CIE Chromaticity Co-ordinate Limits* and Minimum Total Luminance Factor for New
Sheeting
Colour
1
2
3
4
Luminance
Factor Y (%)
x
y
X
y
x
y
x
y
Fluorescent
0.387
0.610
0.460
0.540
0.421
0.486
0.368
0.539
Min. 55
Yellow Green
Fluorescent
0.583
0.416
0.523
0.397
0.560
0.360
0.631
0.369
Min. 30
Orange
*The
four pairs of chromaticity co-ordinates define the acceptable colour limits for CIE D65 illumination in terms of
the CIE 1931 Colorimetric System.
PB3963 & 3924 Last Edit November 03
Page 1 of 6
Fluorescence (Y
F
)
Fluorescent luminance properties differentiate
fluorescent sheeting from ordinary (non-
fluorescent) sheeting. The additional luminance
produced by fluorescence is directly related to the
increased visual performance of fluorescent
markings under the varying conditions of daylight
illumination encountered in outdoor applications.
The Fluorescent Luminance Factor Y
F
, provides a
standardised measure of fluorescent luminance.
The numerical value of Y
F
under specified
illumination and viewing conditions 1) verifies the
fluorescent properties of the sheeting (for non-
fluorescent sheeting Y
F
=0) and 2) quantifies the
fluorescent content (efficiency) of its Total
Luminance Factor. The magnitude of Y
F
can be
used to assess whether the fluorescent content is
sufficient to provide high daytime visibility under
poor visibility conditions. The minimum
fluorescence luminance factor (Y
F
) values of the
retroreflective fluorescent sheetings conform to
Table B.
Table B- Minimum Fluorescence
Luminance Factor for New Sheeting
Colour
Yellow Green
Orange
Fluorescence Test
Fluorescence luminance factor requirements on
sheeting applied to aluminium test panels shall be
determined instrumentally using a 2- monochromator
spectrophotometer employing annular 45
o
/0
o
(or
equivalent 0
o
/45
o
) illuminating / viewing geometry
1,2
.
The fluorescence luminance factor shall be calculated
from the fluorescence spectral radiance factors
computed for CIE illuminant D65 in accordance with
ASTM E-308 “Practice for Computing the Colours of
Objects by Using the CIE System” for the CIE 1931
(2
o
) standard colorimetric observer. The
measurements shall be made on a Labsphere BFC-450
Bispectral Fluorescence Colorimeter or equivalent.
1
Coefficients of Retroreflection (R
A
)
The values in Table C are minimum coefficients of
retroreflection expressed in candelas per lux per
square metre (cd/lux/m
2
). Measurements are made in
accordance with CIE publication 54:1982.
R
A
values are measured at 0
o
and 90
o
rotation and
averaged to determine the minimum R
A
value in
Table C.
Table C - Minimum Coefficient of
Retroreflection R
A
for New Sheeting
(cd/lux/m
2
)
Observation
Angle
0.2
°
Yellow Green
Orange
0.5
°
Yellow Green
Orange
2
Colour
Entrance Angle
-4
°
680
200
198
80
30
°
388
120
103
50
Observation (Divergence) Angle - The angle between
the illumination axis and the observation axis.
3
Y
F
(%) min
35
10
Entrance (Incidence) Angle - the angle from the
illumination axis to the retroreflector axis. The
retroreflector axis is an axis perpendicular to the
retroreflective surface.
Interlocking Diamond Seal
Pattern
Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963 and 3924 have the
same interlocking seal pattern as Diamond Grade
LDP 3970 series. This pattern is unique to 3M
prismatic retroreflective sheetings. Under normal
light, this seal pattern will appear lighter in colour
than the reflective portion (Figure 1).
Seal legs have smooth edges
“Design and testing of a two-monochromator reference
spectrofluorimeter for high -accuracy total radiance factor
measurements” by Joanne C Zwinkels, D.S. Gignac, M
Nevins, I Powell and A Bewsher, Applied Optics, vol. 36 no.
4, pp 892-902 (1997).
2
Application Orientation
Horizontal
Application Orientation
Vertical
“Principles of Bispectral Fluorescent Colorimetry” by Jim
Leland, N Johnson and A Arecchi, Proceedings of SPIE -
The International Society for Optical Engineering: vol.
3140, pp. 76-87 (1997).
Figure 1
PB3963 & 3924 Last Edit November 03
Page 2 of 6
Application Orientation
Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963 and 3924 are
designed to reflect effectively regardless of their
orientation on the substrate or ultimate orientation
after installation.
However, because the efficiency of light return from
cube corner reflectors is not equal at all rotation
angles, optimum entrance angle performance can be
achieved when the sheeting is oriented in a
particular way.
When extra wide entrance angle performance is
important for a given situation, you may elect to
apply the material with a specific orientation.
Optimum wide-angle entrance performance is
achieved by orientating Diamond Grade LDP
sheeting
horizontally.
The sharp ends of the cell
pattern point horizontally.
However, unless the location and/or position calls
for extra-wide entrance angularity performance,
Diamond Grade LDP Series sheetings can be
manufactured and installed using the orientation
that most efficiently utilises the reflective sheeting.
NOTE:
•
In cases where panels, strips and text are placed
on the same surface, it is recommended they be
placed in the same orientation.
•
On overhead gantry signs horizontal
orientation is recommended.
Important
- For smooth flow and maximum control of
sign fabrication using Diamond Grade LDP reflective
sheeting note the following:
Ordering
– The need to orient the sheeting may
alter the sheeting roll widths that are required. For
example, sheeting may have previously been
ordered according to sign height. To orient the
sheeting a particular way may mean ordering by
sign width.
Application
- The squeeze roll operator must
determine the correct feed direction based on the
pre-channeled blanks or on the sign shape if pre-
channeled blanks are not used.
When applying borders, symbols etc. and for large
panel application where more than one sheet is
applied to a single substrate, only butt joints are
recommended to join reflective sheets.
Do not
overlap Diamond Grade LDP reflective sheeting.
The printer must take the desired sheeting
orientation into consideration before screening
Diamond Grade LDP reflective sheeting.
PB3963 & 3924 Last Edit November 03
Page 3 of 6
Datum Marks
Unlike 3M™ Diamond Grade™ VIP Reflective
Sheeting Series 3990, Diamond Grade Fluorescent
3963 and 3924 do not carry datum marks. The two
different type of sheetings can therefore be
distinguished on a roll by the presence of datum
marks on the Diamond Grade VIP sheeting.
Tooling Lines
The manufacture of prismatic sheeting requires
tooling lines. In Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963
and 3924 these lines, slightly thicker than the seal
pattern legs, occur across the web every 864mm (34
inches). Tooling lines are more noticeable in shop
light but are not observable on the road either in
daylight or night under reflected light (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Tooling Lines
Across the roll width 86.36cm (34”) centres
Application
Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963 and 3924 are
pressure-sensitive sheetings that should be applied
at room temperature (18 to 28°C) by any of the
following methods:
•
•
•
Mechanical squeeze roll laminator
Hand squeeze roll applicator
Hand application
Substrates
For traffic sign use, properly prepared aluminium
and British Steel HP200 are the only substrates
recommended by 3M.
Users are urged to carefully evaluate all other
substra tes for adhesion and sign durability. Sign
failures caused by the substrate or improper surface
preparation are not the responsibility of 3M.
Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963 and 3924 reflective
sheeting is designed primarily for application to flat
substrates.
Any use that requires a radius of curvature of less
than 125mm (5 ins) should also be supported by
rivets or bolts. Aluminium substrates with a radius
of curvature greater than 125mm can be used
without additional fastening.
Plastic substrates are not recommended where cold
shock performance is essential.
Cutting and Matching
Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963 and 3924 sheeting
may be hand cut or die cut one sheet at a time, and
band sawed or guillotined in stacks. The sheeting
can be hand cut from either side with a sharp knife
or other sharp hand tool.
Cutting equipment such as guillotines and metal
shears that use pressure plates to hold the sheeting
when cutting may damage the optics. To reduce
pressure on and eliminate damage to the sheets the
pressure plate should be padded. Stack heights may
vary with condition and type of equipment used.
NOTE:
As with all reflective sheetings, when two or
more pieces are used side by side on a surface.
They must be matched to assure uniform daytime
colour and night appearance.
Multi-panel applications should have all panels or
pieces oriented identically for uniform appearance
under all viewing conditions (orientation arrow and
seal pattern in the same direction).
Screen Printing
Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963 and 3924 signfaces
can be produced by screen printing with 3M™
Process Color Series 880I (see Product Bulletin 880I)
before or after mounting on a sign substrate. The
recommended ambient conditions for screen
printing Series 880I inks are 18-28°C and relative
humidity of 30-60%. Use of PE61T/62T screen mesh
with a fill pass is recommended. The use of any
other type of ink is not recommended. 3M assumes
no responsibility for failure of sign face legends or
backgrounds that have been printed with non-3M
process colours or 3M process colours other than
Process Color Series 880I .
NOTE:
Screen printed Diamond Grade Fluorescent
Prespacing
Use 3M™ Scotchcal™ Prespacing Tape Series
SCPS-100 as a carrier for die cut letters, numerals or
symbols for rapid, accurate application of legends.
3963 and 3924 reflective sheeting should be kept flat
especially during the drying process. Avoid
bending sharply or folding when handling wet
sheets to prevent cracking.
Cleaning
Edge Sealing
Edge sealing Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963 and
3924 reflective sheeting is generally not required.
Following outdoor exposure, dust particles may
become trapped within the row of cut cells along the
sheeting’s edge. This should not adversely effect
the performance of the rest of the applied copy.
Narrow width markings or letters should be a
minimum of 18mm stroke width. Where possible
screen printing or 3M ElectroCut
™
Film is
recommended.
Signs that require cleaning should be flushed with
water, then washed with a dilute solution of mild,
non-abrasive detergent and soft bristle brush or
sponge. Avoid pressure that may damage the sign
face. Flush with water following washing. Do not
use solvents to clean signs.
N.B. Dew Resistant Coated signfaces must be
flushed with clean water only. Detergents must not
be used.
Storage
Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963 and 3924 reflective
sheeting should be stored in a cool, dry area,
preferably at 18-28°C and 30-60% relative humidity
and should be applied within one year from date of
delivery.
Rolls should be stored horizontally in the shipping
carton. Partially used rolls should be returned to the
shipping carton or suspended horizontally from a
rod or pipe through the core. Unprinted sheets
should be stored flat. Unmounted-screened faces
must be interleaved with SCW-82 slipsheet, glossy
side against the sign face.
3M ElectroCut Film™ (E.C.
Film) Series 1170
As part of the 3M Matched Component System
TM
,
ElectroCut film can be applied over Diamond Grade
LDP reflective sheeting using 3M TPM5 Transfer
Tape. ElectroCut film is especially suitable for small
quantities of signs where screen printing may be
uneconomic.
PB3963 & 3924 Last Edit November 03
Page 4 of 6
Indoor Storage of Finished Signs
Finished signs and applied blanks should be stored
face to face, on edge on wooden battens. Signs
must be protected with SCW-82 slipsheet paper.
Place the glossy side of the slipsheeting against the
sign face and pad with closed cell packaging foam.
Double-faced signs must have the glossy side of
the slipsheet against each face of the sign.
Outdoor Storage of Finished Signs
If outdoor storage is necessary, remove all
packaging and store face to face, on edge on
wooden battens with a gap between the signfaces
to allow air movement.
Signs kept in metal containers must be stored as
above for outdoor storage.
Panels or finished signs must remain dry during
shipment and storage. If packaged signs become
wet, unpack immediately and store as for outside
storage to allow signs to dry.
Avoid banding, crating, or stacking signs or faces.
Package for shipment in accordance with
commercially accepted standards to prevent
movement and chafing.
Effective Performance Life
The effective performance life of Diamond Grade
LDP reflective sheeting will depend on substrate
selection and preparation, compliance with
recommended application procedures, weather,
exposure and maintenance.
Permanent static road traffic signs incorporating
Diamond Grade Fluorescent 3963 and 3924 reflective
sheetings applied to aluminium or British Steel
HP200 substrates which have been prepared
according to 3M recommended procedures, have an
expected performance life of 7 years when mounted
vertically. Application to substrates other than
those above or incorrect substrate preparation may
shorten the effective performance life of the
sheeting. Application to unprimed, excessively
rough or non-weather resistant surfaces will shorten
the effective life.
The user must determine the suitability of any
substrate other than aluminium or BS HP200 for the
intended use. Under certain conditions effective
performance life may be shorter due to sign location,
climatic conditions and method of installation.
Important Notice to Purchaser
Technical information provided by 3M is based on experience and/or tests believed to be reliable but its accuracy
is not guaranteed and the results may not be relevant to every user’s application. 3M does not accept
responsibility or liability, direct or consequential, arising from reliance upon any information provided and the
user should determine the suitability of the products for their intended use.
Nothing in this statement will be deemed to exclude or restrict 3M’s liability for death or personal injury arising
from its negligence.
All questions of liability relating to 3M products are governed by the seller’s terms of sale subject where
applicable to the prevailing law.
If any goods supplied or processed by or on behalf of 3M prove on inspection to be defective in material or
workmanship 3M will (at its option) replace the same or refund to the Buyer the price of the goods or services.
Except as set out above, all warranties and conditions, whether expressed or implied, statutory or otherwise are
excluded to the fullest extent permissible at law.
Technical Assistance
For help on specific questions relating to 3M Traffic Control Materials, contact your local Technical Service
Representative.
Traffic Control Materials
3M United Kingdom PLC
3M Centre
Cain Road
Bracknell
Berks
RG12 8HT
Tel: 01344 857950
PB3963 & 3924 Last Edit November 03
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