Taggants for Thermoplastic Marking Materials

Abstract

Disclosed is a taggant composition identifying a preformed thermoplastic pavement marking having chemical elements wherein the taggant concentration must be the greater of two times the base concentration of the taggant composition in the preformed thermoplastic pavement marking or six times the standard error of the measurement equipment error.

1 . A taggant composition identifying a preformed thermoplastic pavement marking comprising; chemical elements with an atomic number between 20 and 82 wherein a specified amount of said taggant composition is selected, and wherein said taggant concentration must be the greater of either; twice the base concentration of said taggant composition or six times the standard error of the measurement equipment required to determine said taggant composition within said preformed marking. 
     
     
         2 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is within the range of 200 to 5000 ppm. 
     
     
         3 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition may comprise plasticizers, pigments, and/or mineral fillers including; BaSO 4 , ZnO, Cu(OH) 2  or a mix of CuCO 3  with Cu(OH) 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of said taggant composition is quantitatively identified by one or more non-destructive analytical techniques. 
     
     
         5 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is a compound having elements with said atomic number between 20 and 82 and wherein the solubility of said taggant is below 0.0015 g/L in water at 25 degrees Centigrade. 
     
     
         6 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is insoluble within the range of pH between 4.5 and 9. 
     
     
         7 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition may be identified before, during or after application of said preformed thermoplastic pavement marking to a pavement surface. 
     
     
         8 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is non-toxic and does not decompose, separate or leach out from said preformed marker while in use, or when exposed to UV or flame or solvents. 
     
     
         9 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said preformed thermoplastic pavement marking including said taggant composition comprises specified colors. 
     
     
         10 . The taggant composition of  claim 9 , wherein said preformed thermoplastic pavement marking comprises including said taggant composition comprises high whiteness as one such specified color. 
     
     
         11 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is identifiable in compounds including polymer binders and plasticizers, glass beads, titanium dioxide, and mineral additives. 
     
     
         12 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is uniformly distributed in said preformed thermoplastic pavement marking. 
     
     
         13 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is within the range of 0.005-0.1 weight % microparticles that are optionally impregnated with fluorescent and/or phosphorescent colorant. 
     
     
         14 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is made of materials without distinct melting points with a particle size from 10 to 100 microns and wherein said taggant composition is uniformly distributed throughout the volume of said preformed thermoplastic pavement marking. 
     
     
         15 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional layer of 0.0090 inches with a length of between 2 and 5 centimeters of substrate material contains at least 3 particles of said taggant composition and is visible under light magnification during and/or after illumination with UV light. 
     
     
         16 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is impregnated with different identification colorants. 
     
     
         17 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition comprises melamine-sulphonamide-formaldehyde copolymer or phenol-formaldehyde resins. 
     
     
         18 . The taggant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said taggant composition is subjected to a temperature of between 160 degrees centigrade and 200 degrees centigrade for at least 4 hours.