Reflective Tape Key Terms

Become an expert on the terminology of reflective tape

From boats and emergency vehicles to safety vests and hardhats, reflective tape can make just about anything visible in even the worst weather conditions. Although it probably sees the most use in the emergency response and marine industries, reflective tape can also be incredibly useful in small business applications such as protecting workers on a construction site. Before buying reflective tape, however, it's helpful to review a few of the product's key terms.

 

SOLAS

Short for the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS is a set of international standards enacted to ensure maritime safety. SOLAS-certified reflective tape is generally the brightest, most durable tape you can find.
Try: Check out Cole Brothers selection of sew-on and self-adhesive SOLAS reflective tape.

Mil

Manufacturers measure reflective tape thickness in mils, also known as thous. Each mil is equal to .001 inches. Common tape thicknesses are between 5 and 8 mils.
Try: EcoBox provides a definition for the term and gives the conversion method for calculating mil in inches.

Reflection angle

High-quality reflective tape has a reflection angle of 90 degrees. This means that under the right conditions, the people will see the tape from the side.
Try: View examples of 90-degree reflective by visiting Uline Shipping Supplies. The company carries a few products that meet the requirements.

Adhesion

Reflective tape and other kinds of industrial tape must undergo testing for adhesion, or stickiness. Manufacturers specify a tape's adhesion in terms of ounces per inch, abbreviated oz/in. This is the amount of force required to pull a piece of tape from a flat steel surface at a 90-degree angle.
Try: Known for making high-quality adhesives including duct tape, Duck Products has a good glossary of tape terms on its website.

Reflexite

Reflexite is a leading manufacturer of reflective tape, garments, patches and other safety items. Its proprietary technologies often work in other products, and its tape is widely sold.
Try: Head to the Reflexite website for more information about its reflective tapes and light management technologies.

Candela

Also known as candlepowers, candelas are the SI unit of measurement for the intensity of light, or luminosity. Manufacturers occasionally include a reflective tape's luminosity in candelas for the product specifications.
Try: The National Institute of Standards and Technology has published an article on the candela. For a deeper look into luminosity, check out the whitepaper on candelas at Electro Optical Industries.

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