Nikkalite Ultralite Grade (ULG) encapsulated lens retroreflective N506 Blue 24″ X 50 Yds.

Description

Nikkalite Ultralite Grade (ULG) encapsulated lens retroreflective N506 Blue 24″ X 50 Yds.
Ultralite Grade N500 SERIES
NIPPON CARBIDE INDUSTRIES (USA) INC.
13856 Bettencourt Street, Cerritos, CA 90703 (800) 821-4264
1. DESCRIPTION
Nikkalite™ Brand Ultralite Grade (ULG) encapsulated lens retroreflective sheeting was developed to provide greater
reflectivity and durability when used for traffic signs and other types of traffic control and safety devices.
ULG is made with high refractive index beads that are uniform in size and a high percentage of perfect roundness.
Each bead is coated on ½ of its sphere with approximately 100% pure aluminum. Each aluminum coated half is
embedded in synthetic resin.
The top film of ULG sheeting is extra strong, dimensionally stable, and flexible. It is strongly fused to a synthetic resin
based film, causing the retroreflective sheeting to resist delamination and render up to ten years of effective
performance.
ULG is a Pressure Sensitive adhesive (PS) which, is protected with an easily removable plastic liner
Toner may be used to lighten the color of the inks, or to clear coat (by screening) the inks in rare instances when
necessary. In most applications, Nikkalite™ Brand Inks do not need to be clear coated.
(b) None of the inks above normally require thinning for the screen processing. However, when required, The N3600
Series inks may be thinned to the desired viscosity with Nikkalite™ Brand N3611 thinner, T-900 or T-910 thinner
(NAZDAR products), Xylene Cyclohexanone, Solvesso 150 (Esso Standard product), or Supersol1500 (Mitsubishi
Oil product).
(c) The N3800 Series inks may only be thinned with N3811. When screening, do not apply two different series of
Nikkalite™ inks or other manufacturers ink on the same sheeting surface.
(d) Both the N3600 and N3800 series inks can also be used as one component ink without the addition of the
hardener. However, the resistance to solvents will decrease the durability compared to the addition of the
hardener.
(e) Nikkalite™ Brand inks are the only recommended inks for use on Nikkalite™ Brand sheeting.
Ultralite Grade N500 SERIES
NIPPON CARBIDE INDUSTRIES (USA) INC.
13856 Bettencourt Street, Cerritos, CA 90703 (800) 821-4264
5-2 Drying
N3600 Series inks may be pre-screened (screening must be complete before application to the substrate) on ULG
using a157 to 196 mesh/inch (62 to 77 mesh/cm) screens. Before printing, set the fans 1.5 to 2 meters away from the
drying racks and direct the air slightly downward towards the surface of the screened signs.
Immediately after screening, place each sign face on the drying rack with the air from the electric fans blowing across
the screened surface. This drying process should continue until the ink becomes tack-free. Additional drying may be
required at temperatures of more than 20°C (68°F) before the ink on the sign faces has dried enough for stacking,
packaging or applying to substrates in a vacuum applicator. Up to 50 ULG sheets may be stacked.
Place sheets, face to face, and press it by hand firmly if no sound id heard when these two faces are separated drying
is complete.
N3800 Series inks have been developed for PRE-SCREENING (screened on the sheeting) and POST-SCREENING
(screened on the sheeting already applied to a substrate) on ULG.
The drying method for pre-screened sign faces on item N3600 will also apply to post-screened sign faces. DO NOT
STACK the finished signs. Stand them on edge during storage or shipment. (See Para.5-4, below)
5-3 Application of Sign Faces to Substrates
When applying ULG sign faces with a vacuum applicator, place a sheet of polyester film or paper having a mirror
surface coated with heat-resistant plastic over the screened faces to protect the screened ink from damage by the
vacuum applicator diaphragm.
5-4 Packing and shipping Sign Faces and Signs
When packing and shipping finished signs (after the ULG sign faces are applied to substrates), place the signs face to
face with a sheet of protective liner against each face and a sheet of polypropylene foam at least 1/8″(3mm) thick
between the two signs to protect the capsules in the ULG from being crushed.
Care must be taken not to damage ULG sheeting when binding for shipping or storage. The edges of ULG sheeting
are easily damaged. In addition to binding ULG sheeting, during storage or transportation, ULG sheeting must be
stored on edge vertically. Never stack, store, or ship finished ULG signs in a horizontal position.
5-5 Cutting
Several sheets of ULG may be stacked for cutting at the same time with a guillotine cutter; however, the sheets must
be cut individually when cut by knife or die-cut.
DO NOT CUT ULG WHEN THE SHOP TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 65°F (18°C). Doing so will cause ULG to crack or
shatter.
5-6 Color-Matching
When applying more than two sheets on the same sign, care must be taken to match the daytime color and the night
reflected color of the sheeting. The same edges (left or right edge) of the sheeting must be butted against each other.
Use sheeting from the same roll for best results; however, color matching must still be visually confirmed when using
this method.
Ultralite Grade N500 SERIES
NIPPON CARBIDE INDUSTRIES (USA) INC.
13856 Bettencourt Street, Cerritos, CA 90703 (800) 821-4264
6. EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE LIFE
The effective performance life of ULG is greatly effected by(1) the type of substrate,(2) preparation of the substrate
surface, (3) conditions of application, and(4) climatic and exposure conditions. When proper substrates are used, and
their surface preparation and application methods are in accordance with Nikkalite™ Bulletins, the ULG sheeting can
be expected to emit the amount of retroreflectivity (cd/lux/m2) at Observation Angle 0.20 and Entrance Angle -40 or
50 when exposed at 900 south facing for the number of years listed below.

STORAGE
ULG Retroreflective Sheeting should be stored in a cool, dry area, preferably at 68°F to 79°F (20°C to 26°C) with 30%
to 60% relative humidity, away from direct sunlight. It should be used within one year of purchase. Used rolls should
be returned into their original carton boxes, suspended properly and always in a horizontal position, or an iron bar
should be inserted inside the roll core and hung in mid-air by suspending both ends of iron bar horizontally.
Never allow ULG rolls to lie horizontal unsuspended for a prolonged period or to stand vertically on end. If a roll is
allowed to lie horizontally and unsuspended, the portions of the sheeting upon which the weight of the roll rests will be
damaged. If the roll is allowed to stand on end, the bottom edges of the roll will chip and crack.
Up to 50 cut sheets may be stacked and stored on a clean flat surface. Curls in sheets, cut from rolls, may be
removed by stacking two sheets face-to-face for approximately 24 hours at room temperature.
Cut-out letters and shapes should be placed in plastic bag (free of moisture) and stored in a cool dry area. Sheets
and cutouts should be applied/used within the specified shelf life of the product.
10. RELIABILITY OF INFORMATION
All recommendations and technical information contained herein is based on experiences and tests, which the
manufacturer believes to be reliable. However, their accuracy and completeness are not warranted. The user is
requested to conduct tests, at their cost, to determine the fitness of the product for the intended application.
11. WARRANTY
Nikkalite™ Products are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship at the time of sale; except
herein expressly warranted. NCI’s (Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Inc.) liability is limited to the replacement of the
defective material, solely as stated herein. NCI shall not be liable for any loss, damage or injury, direct or indirect or
incidental, arising from the use or inability to use said products, and the warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose as well.
12. WARNING
Failure to comply with the explicit instructions in this bulletin will result in voiding all warranties express or implied for
the use of this product. If retroreflective sheeting is to be applied to a surface other than conventional sign blank
materials, prospective users should contact technical representatives of Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Inc. for advice
before such application.
Technical Data
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)