Water-based paint is fine for a parking lot or a quiet side street. But when your stripes need to survive snowplows, semi-trucks, and endless traffic, you need something tougher.
Enter the heavyweights: thermoplastics and MMA (methyl methacrylate).
Both bring durability to the table—but only one is built to go the distance. Spoiler alert: MMA wins, hands down. Let’s break it down.
Thermoplastics are a dry blend of resin, pigment, filler, and glass beads. Heat them to 400–450°F, they liquefy, then get sprayed or extruded onto the road. Once cooled, they harden back into solid form.
Sounds solid, right? But here’s the catch:
Weather picky: Won’t stick if it’s under 50°F or if it rained within 24 hours.
Shorter lifespan: Usually 3–5 years before cracking, fading, or plow damage.
Limited colors: Don’t expect much variety.
Crew risk: That 450°F melt? Burns waiting to happen.
Thermoplastics get the job done, but they’re not built for the long haul.
MMA plays in another league entirely. Instead of melting, it’s a two-part mix that chemically bonds to pavement when a catalyst is added. No heat required.
Here’s why MMA dominates:
Year-round application: Works in freezing temps or heat waves.
Fast cure: Ready in 15–30 minutes so roads reopen quickly.
Extreme durability: Lasts up to 10 years—even against chains, studs, and plows.
Stronger bond: Locks onto concrete and asphalt without special primers.
Custom colors: From crosswalks to bike lanes, you can match any project.
Crew-friendly: Cold application means safer working conditions.
If thermoplastics are “good enough,” MMA is built to thrive in brutal conditions.
Bonding Power: Thermoplastics just sit on top; MMA chemically bonds deep.
Heat Resistance: Thermoplastics soften in summer sun; MMA stays sharp.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Thermoplastics crack and blemish; MMA shrugs it off.
Snowplows: Thermoplastics shear off; MMA holds the line.
Longevity: Thermoplastics = 3–5 years. MMA = up to 10 years.
Safety: Thermoplastics need 450°F. MMA goes on cold.
At Aexcel, we knew road crews needed a marking system as tough as the conditions they face. That’s why we created Roadzilla® MMA Traffic Marking Systems—a beast built for monstrous wear and tear.
Walkways.
Intersections.
Bike lanes.
Highways.
Wherever you need bold, durable, vibrant markings, Roadzilla® delivers—and keeps delivering for up to a decade.
Because in the battle of Thermoplastics vs. MMA, there’s no contest. MMA is the future.
Ready to unleash Roadzilla®? Contact us today for a quote and let’s build markings that last.