The Effect of the Substrate on the Optic Performance of Retro-Reflective Coatings: An In-Lab Investigation

Retro-reflectivity is a promising surface capability, which has attracted the interest of researchers for building applications in order to counteract Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. This work aims at studying impact substrate material on optic performance retro-reflective (RR) coatings. Three types materials were investigated: smooth pine wood panels, rough plywood and acetate sheets. The RR coating samples made by firstly adding high reflective white paint onto homogeneous glass beads layer top. As reference case, also diffusive samples, without beads, developed. Samples have been tested through spectrophotometric an angular reflectivity analysis. Results show that, despite lower global reflectance with respect ones, provides good capability all samples. Additionally, roughest sample exhibited highest up 16%, other smoother Future developments may involve optimum design coatings, terms their varying roughness, density dimension.