The “Click Stud” from Thomas Dudley Ltd.
UK-based manufacturer Thomas Dudley Ltd recently developed the “Click Stud” – a reflective road stud for use on highways. Albis UK has announced that it worked with the group to develop the bespoke glass fibre-filled PA6 used in the application.
The Click Stud incorporates a special patented fixing system, which allows for rapid removal and replacement of the reflector in-situ in the road surface with minimum cost to the road operator and disruption to traffic, providing a low cost solution to maintenance of road stud reflectors.
Albis has developed a thermoplastic compound which it claims meets the demanding requirements for this application. The distributor and compounder also provided assistance in the design of the Click Stud cassette, to help ensure its easy removal in-situ. The compound needed to retain required impact at low temperatures retaining performance in all weathers, have long term UV resistance and withstand the rigours of heavy traffic use. A specially formulated Altech glass fibre-filled polyamide 6 was developed and this was moulded and placed on long term test on a section of the M4 motorway in the UK.
These tests were recently completed and Albis has announced that the product passed, meeting with Highway Agency and TSRGD Regulations.
Tony Evans, Product Manager for Altech at ALBIS UK, said: “This was a very challenging brief and working in close co-operation with Thomas Dudley we were able to provide an excellent solution with Altech enabling the many benefits of the Click Stud product to be realised.”