Sign substrates

The substrate refers to the backing material your sign plate is made from.
There are many factors which will determine the best substrate, ranging from cost issues through to durability, strength & weight.

Generally, permanent traffic signs are made from aluminium, composite material (dibond) or MPGRP.
Temporary traffic signs can be manufactured from Aluminium, HP200 steel, MPGRP or Zintec.

Aluminium

Historically, permanent traffic signs have mostly been made from aluminium, although this is now changing with the introduction of new materials.

Advantages:

Very strong
Corrosion resistant
Durable

Disadvantages:

Increasing metal prices make unsecured aluminium susceptible to theft (MPGRP is a viable alternative).
Unstable prices means the final sign cost can change quickly.

aluminium sheeting used in sign manufacture

Morelock Permanent GRP (MPGRP)

With prices of both Aluminium and Steel soaring, Morelock Signs are now offering a viable alternative for permanent traffic signs - Morelock Permanent GRP (MP GRP)

MP GRP is the ONLY GRP material approved for use on permanent fixed vertical traffic signs (tested to BS EN 12899-1:2007), and is only available from Morelock Signs Ltd.

"In testing conducted to date, MP GRP substrate has proven to be compatible with 3M Reflective Sheetings. Application of these sheetings onto MP GRP is recommended by 3M" .

MPGRP

Crash test using MP GRP and Spectralyte passively safe post:

Supplied as follows:

Finished Sign - Complete sign with facing and heavy duty interlocking channel to your requirements. This will carry a full 12 year sign warranty.
Channelled blanks - Available in standard or bespoke sizes and traffic sign shapes, these carry a 12 year construction warranty.
Raw sheet - Available in set sheet sizes or cut shapes.

Advantages over Aluminium/Steel:

Cheaper - As Aluminium prices continually increase, MP GRP will save you more and more...
MPGRP has no resale or scrap value: in some areas, medium to small sized aluminium advance direction signs are targeted by thieves.
Price stability - Less price fluctuations than metals.
Lighter than Aluminium & Steel - Easier to transport & install.
Graffiti resistant - Easier removal of graffiti from rear of sign.

Aluminium Composite Material (Dibond)

Dibond is a compound material made up of multiple constituent parts. Dibond consists of two 0.012" aluminum faces thermobonded to a solid polyethylene core. Dibond is lighter than aluminum.

It is an excellent material for permanent traffic signs. It is also very versatile - it can be routered and folded into various 3D shapes for factory & shop front signage.

Advantages:

Strong
Durable
Lightweight
Cheaper than aluminium

Disadvantages:

No disadvantages to dibond

Not all composite panels are created equally! We only use composite panels which have been specifically designed & tested for long term use on permanent traffic signs, so beware of cheap imitations which are not UV protected and become brittle over time.