| HS Code | 240395 |
| Softening Point Ring Ball | 155 °C |
| Gardner Color | 5 |
| Acid Value | 0.5 mg KOH/g |
| Melt Viscosity At 200 C | 300 mPa·s |
| Density At 25 C | 0.90 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point Cleveland Open Cup | 250 °C |
| Toluene Insolubles | 0.05 wt % |
| Ash Content | 0.1 wt % |
| Glass Transition Temperature Tg | 75 °C |
| Number Average Molecular Weight Mn | 700 g/mol |
| Molecular Weight Distribution Mw Mn | 2.0 |
| Thermal Decomposition Onset | 350 °C |
As an accredited High-Soften-Point ENDEX 155 Hydrocarbon Resin for Road Marking factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied in 25 kg multi-layer paper bags, palletized and stretch-wrapped for safe handling and storage. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL loading: 25 kg bags on shrink-wrapped pallets, secured and stowed dry, approximately 20–24 metric tons per container. |
| Shipping | High-Soften-Point ENDEX 155 Hydrocarbon Resin is shipped as solid flakes in 25 kg multi-wall paper bags or 500 kg FIBCs, palletized and stretch-wrapped. Keep dry, avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures. Transport in ventilated containers, handle with care to prevent bag damage. Not classified as dangerous goods under normal shipping conditions. |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, and open flames. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination. Maintain temperatures below 40°C (104°F). Avoid stacking excessively. Under proper conditions, shelf life is typically one year from date of manufacture. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 2 years when stored unopened in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight. |
Hot-melt thermoplastic traffic marking compounds formulated with a high-softening-point aromatic-modified C9 hydrocarbon resin are processed in jacketed sigma-blade or high-torque double-arm mixers at a melt temperature of 195–210°C. The 155°C nominal ring-and-ball softening point of ENDEX 155 functions less as a tackifier and more as a rheology-shift additive: it raises binder softening point into the 105–118°C range when used with a C5 aliphatic resin and rosin ester. Addition is 3.0–6.0 wt% relative to total batch mass, with the lower band for standard screed and the upper band for high-hardness intersection formulations. Process sequence in a 300 L double-arm mixer: the resin is first melt-blended with the liquid plasticizer and fatty acid amide wetting agent at 170–180°C; TiO₂, calcium carbonate, and precipitated silica are introduced under low-speed shear; after full dispersion the batch is held at 195±5°C and vacuum-deaerated for 15–20 min. The mixer is typically run at 25–34 rpm blade speed; higher shear produces frictional heating above 215°C and accelerates resin oxidation, particularly if the headspace is not inerted with nitrogen at 0.2–0.4 bar. Pre-drying of calcium carbonate at 120°C for 2 h is mandatory when ambient relative humidity exceeds 60%; otherwise microfoam appears in extruded beads. Compliance is verified against AASHTO M 249-12 for white and yellow thermoplastic marking, EN 1871:2020 for glass bead retention and cold embrittlement, and ASTM D36/D36M-14(2020) for ring-and-ball softening point. Terminal product types include 3.0 mm extruded screed markings for longitudinal lines, 1.5 mm spray lines, and profiled drop-on markings using interlocked large-diameter glass beads.
| Control point | Standard or process control | Numerical boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Neat resin ring-and-ball softening point | ASTM D36/D36M-14(2020) | 155°C nominal, ±3°C |
| Binder softening point after compounding | AASHTO M 249-12 | ≥105°C for high-temperature lines; adjust within 3–6 wt% resin range |
| Glass bead embedment temperature | EN 1871:2020 | 150–160°C |
| Filler moisture control | Internal process control | RH ≤60% or pre-dry 120°C/2 h |
In two-component methyl methacrylate cold plastic road marking compounds, ENDEX 155 is predissolved in the monomer phase at 18–22 wt% before TiO₂ dispersion; final addition on total compound is 2.0–4.5 wt%. Above 4.5 wt%, the resin-rich monomer phase increases high-shear dispersion viscosity and can reduce crosshatch adhesion to concrete, particularly when amine-based accelerators are present. Production is carried out in a high-speed disperser with a jacketed vessel held at 20–25°C; the resin/MMA solution is added to the monomer component before benzoyl peroxide initiator dispersion. The separate amine promoter component is not pre-blended with the resin; it is combined only at the application nozzle to avoid localized free-radical quenching. Compliance is checked under EN 1436:2018 for night visibility and skid resistance, and ISO 4624:2016 for pull-off adhesion on concrete substrates. This configuration is used where early hardness is required within 20 min at 10°C pavement surface temperature; published data for formulations above 5 wt% remains limited. Finished terminal products include two-component cold spray markings for bus lanes, cold screed symbols at signalized intersections, and high-wear arrow markings in indoor parking decks.
Preformed thermoplastic road marking tape uses the same binder backbone as extruded hot-melt but requires a softer cold-flex balance to survive roll storage and installation without cracking. ENDEX 155 is incorporated at 4.0–7.0 wt% on total compound, partially replacing rosin ester to increase dimensional stability during hot lamination. The production route uses a twin-screw extruder with L/D 44:1, a melt pump, and a slot die feeding a calendering stack; melt temperature at the die is maintained at 190–200°C. The extruded web is pressed between silicone-coated release liners, cooled to 40°C under controlled tension, and die-cut into legends, arrows, and full-width crosswalk panels. Because the resin increases glass transition, storage below 5°C requires reconditioning at 20–25°C for 24 h before unrolling to prevent edge fracture. Compliance references include EN 1790:2013 for preformed road marking materials, ASTM D36/D36M-14(2020) for softening point, and EN 1436:2018 for installed retroreflectivity and skid resistance. Terminal product types include preformed legends, colored bus lane panels, temporary construction markings, and decorative pedestrian crosswalk kits.
In high-build spray-applied thermoplastic for profiled markings on bridge decks and concrete pavements, the resin is used to create a thixotropic plateau under airless shear. The formulation uses 5.0–8.0 wt% ENDEX 155; the higher loading is possible because the dry filler level is reduced to 55–60 wt% to keep outlet viscosity within airless spray limits at 205–215°C. Equipment includes a heated 60:1 airless pump, 3/8-inch heated hose, and a spray gun with 0.045–0.060 inch carbide tip. Production of the premix is identical to screed compound through the vacuum-deaeration stage, but the compound is then pelletized through a strand die and re-melted in the road marking vehicle; this two-stage thermal history increases the risk of resin degradation if hold time at 215°C exceeds 6 h. Vehicle operators set the kettle temperature to 205°C and the hose jacket to 195°C; the profiled ridges are sprayed at 2.0–3.0 mm wet film with drop-on beads applied before the surface skin closes. Blocks shipped for vehicle remelt require storage below 40°C; blocks stored above 45°C deform under self-weight and create feeding problems in the vehicle hopper. Compliance is assessed under EN 1436:2018 for wet-night visibility, ASTM D4541 for pull-off adhesion to primed concrete, and EN 1871:2020 for bead durability. Terminal product types include high-build profiled edge lines, vibration-rib markings, and bridge-deck median markings with embedded large-glass beads.
Solventborne alkyd and modified hydrocarbon resins for road paint are formulated below 60°C and therefore cannot dissolve high-softening-point aromatic C9 resin directly. ENDEX 155 is introduced as a pre-ground dispersion in xylene or high-aromatic solvent at 40–50 wt% solids, then let down into the paint at a final addition of 1.0–2.5 wt% on total formula. Above 2.5 wt%, the low-temperature film-forming balance shifts and film shrinkage on microcracked asphalt increases. The production route is a high-speed disperser followed by horizontal bead milling; the letdown addition is made after pigment grind so that the resin solution does not raise grind viscosity above 120 Krebs units. Compliance for traffic paint is referenced to AASHTO M 248 for white and yellow solventborne traffic paint, ASTM D711-88(2016) for no-pick-up time, and ASTM D36/D36M-14(2020) for resin softening point. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, because high-softening-point aromatic resins are more frequently used in hot-melt systems; solventborne use is restricted to high-hardness curbing paints and factory-applied precoatings where road temperature resistance above 70°C is required. Terminal product types include solventborne curb paint, black contrast marking primer, and fast-dry zone stenciling paint for maintenance crews.
Hot-applied high-friction surfacing systems for pedestrian crossings and roundabouts use a thermoplastic binder into which calcined bauxite is broadcast at high temperature. ENDEX 155 is used at 5.0–7.5 wt% by mass of the molten binder to prevent aggregate sink-through during the open-time of the molten film. The production process starts with the same hot-melt binder as longitudinal marking compound but is shipped in block or pellet form to a specialized kettle fitted with low-speed sweep agitation; application temperature is 195–205°C. The molten binder is squeegeed or extruded at 3–5 mm, then calcined bauxite 1–3 mm is broadcast at 8–12 kg/m² and lightly seeded with glass beads. Field observations from contractor equipment logs indicate an open embedment window of 90–120 seconds at 20°C, compared with roughly 3 minutes for rosin ester-only controls; this narrower window is substrate-dependent and validates on the specific pavement texture. Compliance is specified under EN 1436:2018 for skid resistance and EN 13036-4 for pendulum test method, with adhesion checked by ISO 4624:2016. Terminal product types include high-friction pedestrian crossing surfacing, colored bus rapid transit lane markings, and school zone anti-skid pads.
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High-Soften-Point ENDEX 155 Hydrocarbon Resin is a solid aromatic hydrocarbon resin supplied for hot-melt and solventborne road marking compounds. The designation “155” refers to the nominal ring-and-ball softening point of 155 °C, not to a molecular weight or viscosity grade. The resin is distinguished from C5 aliphatic hydrocarbon tackifiers by its aromatic character, and from gum rosin esters by its hydrocarbon backbone, which is not saponifiable under humid service conditions. In road marking binders, ENDEX 155 functions as a hard resin that elevates heat-distortion resistance and adhesion while preserving melt processability during application. Batch release is normally controlled by ASTM D36 or ISO 4625-1 softening point, ASTM D1544 Gardner colour, ASTM D974 acid number, ASTM D3236 melt viscosity, and ASTM D71 density. Users should treat printed typical data as indicative only; the batch certificate remains the controlling specification for road marking tender compliance.
Thermoplastic road marking compounds are generally composed of a hydrocarbon resin, a styrenic block copolymer or ethylene-vinyl acetate binder, mineral oil or vegetable oil plasticiser, wax, titanium dioxide or coloured pigment, and glass beads. In such systems, ENDEX 155 is used as the high-softening-point resin component. The resin raises the glass transition of the hydrocarbon phase and increases hardness after the marking cools. At application temperatures of 180–220 °C, the low molecular mass of the resin allows molten film formation through direct extrusion or ribbon application. After cooling, the resin-rich phase resists plastic flow under traffic and summer pavement surface temperatures of 60–70 °C. Hardness development can be recorded by pendulum damping ISO 1522 or pencil hardness ASTM D3363; for thermoplastic markings, heat resistance and adhesion are usually more relevant because the film is thick and pigmented.
Screen formulations for hot-melt road marking typically evaluate the resin at 10–15 wt% of the total compound. Published data for this specific product configuration is limited, so the upper and lower limits must be confirmed on the contract substrate. In compounding, the flake resin is introduced into a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with an L/D ratio of ≥ 32:1. The barrel profile is normally set with the first zones at 160–180 °C to melt the resin before pigment and glass bead addition. If the feed zone is below 160 °C, unmelted flakes can pass through the mixing section and cause surface defects in the finished line. Concentrations above 20 wt% may increase melt viscosity and reduce flow-out unless the wax and plasticiser loadings are adjusted; the effect is non-linear because the aromatic resin phase can become continuous rather than dispersed.
Compatibility of the resin with the polymer phase is formulation-specific. In styrenic block copolymer binders, the aromatic structure can associate with styrene end blocks; dynamic mechanical thermal analysis ISO 6721-1 on compounded films generally shows an upward shift in the plateau modulus above the styrene glass transition. In ethylene-vinyl acetate binders, compatibility is better for grades containing vinyl acetate at 18 wt% or higher; lower vinyl acetate binders may require a pre-blend with an aromatic-modified aliphatic resin to avoid phase separation. The resin also modifies the crystallisation of paraffin wax. Differential scanning calorimetry ASTM D3418 can be used to monitor the shift in wax crystallisation enthalpy and the resulting bead-anchorage window.
Solventborne road marking paints based on alkyd or acrylic binders can use ENDEX 155 at lower concentration to modify through-drying and final film hardness without increasing viscosity to the same extent as high molecular weight acrylic copolymers. The resin is dissolved under high-shear dispersion in a heated aromatic or mixed aromatic-aliphatic solvent blend; cold addition to aliphatic mineral spirits is not recommended because limited ambient solubility can leave undissolved fines. In these paints, the aromatic resin can improve titanium dioxide wetting and reduce settling, but it also has a higher tendency to yellow than C5 aliphatic resins. Accelerated weathering according to ASTM G154 or ISO 16474-3 is used before white formulations are approved for exposed service. The solventborne route is less common than hot-melt in many regions because volatile organic compound limits for road marking coatings continue to tighten.
ENDEX 155 differs from C5 aliphatic resins primarily in aromatic content and softening point. C5 resins used in road marking frequently have softening points of 90–110 °C, which lowers preheat temperature but reduces heat-distortion resistance. Gum rosin esters provide strong adhesion to porous mineral surfaces, but their ester linkages are susceptible to hydrolysis; in water immersion testing by ASTM D870, rosin-ester-containing films can show measurable tensile strength loss, whereas hydrocarbon resin films remain more stable. ENDEX 155 is not saponifiable because it is a hydrocarbon resin. Its aromatic structure improves adhesion to bituminous substrates relative to C5 resins, as measured by pull-off testing ASTM D4541 on asphalt panels at constant resin loading. The main trade-off is UV-induced yellowing: C5 aliphatic resins normally have better colour retention in white markings, while aromatic resins require stabilisation with hindered amine light stabilisers and UV absorbers.
| Parameter | ENDEX 155 high-softening aromatic resin | C5 aliphatic hydrocarbon resin | Gum rosin ester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softening point | 155 °C nominal | 90–110 °C typical industrial range | 80–120 °C depending on esterification |
| Polarity | Moderate aromatic | Low aliphatic | High ester/acid |
| UV colour retention in white markings | Moderate; yellowing tendency higher than C5 | High | Low to moderate |
| Adhesion to bituminous substrates | High due to aromatic-binder interaction | Low to moderate; may require adhesion promoter | High but moisture-sensitive |
| Hot-melt viscosity contribution | Moderate-high; requires higher preheat than low-softening C9 resins | Lower | Lower |
When a lower-softening C9 aromatic resin is substituted directly to reduce preheat temperature, the marking may lose heat-distortion resistance and show increased tyre-pickup on hot asphalt. Conversely, replacing a C5 resin with ENDEX 155 can improve asphalt adhesion and high-temperature hardness, but the applicator may need to increase kettle temperature or adjust pump pressure. The choice between resin classes should therefore be made on the basis of the final marking specification, not on resin unit cost alone.
Mobile road marking kettles use heat-transfer oil jackets or direct-fired tanks. Because the softening point of ENDEX 155 is 155 °C, the product must be fully melted before pigment and drop-on bead application; cold flake added directly to a low-temperature kettle increases agitator torque and can produce unmelted resin particles in the applied line. Production-scale hot-melt compounding is preferably carried out in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with an L/D ratio of ≥ 32:1 and segmented screw elements. The first barrel zone is set at 160–180 °C, the final zone at 190–200 °C, and the melt temperature is controlled below 230 °C. Prolonged hold time above 200 °C can cause Gardner colour drift and gel-body formation; field experience on hot-melt lines shows that thermal degradation appears first as a change in marked line roughness and an increase in filtration pressure on cartridge screens. Therefore, residence time in the melt phase should be limited to the shortest period consistent with complete dissolution, and the heat-transfer oil temperature should not exceed 230 °C unless validated by batch data.
Thermal degradation of aromatic hydrocarbon resin occurs through oxidation and radical recombination. The first indication is usually a Gardner colour increase from ≤ 1 toward 3 or higher and an increase in melt viscosity at constant temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis ISO 11358-1 or ASTM E2550 can be used to define the onset of mass loss for incoming resin and aged melt samples. In hot-melt kettles, prolonged high temperature above 220 °C may create carbonaceous deposits on vessel walls and increase cleanout frequency. The heat-transfer oil temperature should be monitored with calibrated thermocouples; variation of ±5 °C across the vessel can create local overcooking even when the bulk temperature reading is within specification.
Pastille and flake forms differ in bulk density and feeding behaviour. Gravimetric or volumetric dosing equipment should be calibrated for the supplied particle form. Pastilles generally flow more uniformly in screw feeders and reduce bridging in bulk bags, but they may take slightly longer to melt in static kettles than flakes of similar mass because of lower initial surface area. Regardless of form, storage should be in original bags or lined containers at temperatures below 40 °C, away from direct sunlight and moisture condensation. Pre-drying is not normally required for hydrocarbon resin, but condensation on cold flake surfaces introduced into a hot-melt kettle can produce foaming and irregular glass bead anchorage.
Because road marking contracts often reference national or state material specifications, the product should be accompanied by a batch-release certificate that reports softening point according to ASTM D36 or ISO 4625-1, Gardner colour according to ASTM D1544, acid number according to ASTM D974, density according to ASTM D71, and melt viscosity according to ASTM D3236. A softening point shift of more than ±3 °C can change the preheat requirement and the heat-distortion resistance of the applied marking; therefore, the acceptance band should be fixed in the purchase specification. For thermoplastic road marking materials in the United States, specification requirements may follow AASHTO M249 or ASTM D4797; the relevant state or municipal specification takes precedence.
| Property | Nominal value or acceptance range | Test method or reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ring-and-ball softening point | 155 °C nominal; acceptance typically ±3 °C | ASTM D36, ISO 4625-1 |
| Gardner colour | ≤ 1 for fresh resin | ASTM D1544 |
| Acid number | < 0.1 mg KOH/g | ASTM D974 |
| Density at 25 °C | 1.06–1.08 g/cm³ | ASTM D71 |
| Melt viscosity | Batch-specific; determined at 200 °C | ASTM D3236 |
| Flash point | Product-specific; resin class typically above 200 °C | ASTM D92 |
| European chemical inventory | REACH registered as applicable | Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 |
For European Union applications, use of the resin must remain within the REACH registered exposure scenario. In plant environments, the main occupational exposure is to hydrocarbon vapours and thermal decomposition products from hot-melt kettles; local workplace exposure limits apply. The resin is not intended for direct food contact, and no food-contact clearance should be inferred unless explicitly stated by the supplier for the specific application. Empty bags and spillage should be collected as non-biodegradable solid waste according to local regulations. Final road marking qualification requires testing of the complete compound on the specified pavement substrate, including adhesion, heat resistance, wear resistance, and retroreflectivity under the contract-specific test methods.
