Product Description
ORALITE® R59 Rail Conspicuity Sheeting
FRA-224 Certification Mark4" x 150' Rolls10-Year Limited WarrantySealed-cell microprismatic reflective tape made for reflectorizing the sides of railcars and locomotives. R59 carries the visible FRA-224 certification mark and meets the requirements of 49 CFR Part 224, with an adhesive formulated to bond in yard conditions down to 32°F.
Why R59
- FRA-224 marked. The certification mark is printed in the film, so inspectors can verify the sheeting on the car. Meets 49 CFR 224, Table 1 of Subpart B for retroreflectivity.
- Sealed-cell, air-backed prisms. Microprisms reflect by total internal reflection inside sealed cells. The cell pattern also identifies machine direction and the manufacturer.
- Bright where it counts. White is rated at 600 cd/lx/m² and yellow at 400 cd/lx/m² at the standard 0.2° observation angle.
- Holds its performance. After outdoor weathering, R59 keeps at least 80% of its rated reflectivity with no appreciable cracking, scaling, pitting, blistering, edge lift or curling (ASTM D4956 §6.4).
- Cold-weather adhesive. Best results at 65°F and above, but formulated to bond as low as 32°F on a clean, dry, frost-free surface.
- Built for rail service. Excellent corrosion and solvent resistance (LS-300C), weatherproof face, aggressive high-tack bond.
Common Uses
- Side reflectorization of freight cars — tank cars, hoppers, boxcars, flatcars, gondolas
- Locomotive reflectorization
- Car shop, repair track and lease-fleet re-marking programs
- Replacement of damaged or worn rail reflective markings
Retroreflectivity (Minimum RA, cd/lx/m²)
| Observation | Entrance | White | Yellow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2° | -4° | 600 | 400 |
| 30° | 350 | 220 | |
| 0.5° | -4° | 200 | 136 |
| 30° | 75 | 45 |
Measured per ASTM E810 (coplanar geometry). Minimum after outdoor weathering is 80% of these values.
Specifications
| Product | ORALITE® R59 Rail Conspicuity Sheeting |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ORAFOL Americas |
| Certification | Visible FRA-224 certification mark; meets FRA-224 [49 CFR 224] |
| Construction | Sealed cells of air-backed microprisms (total internal reflection) |
| Colors | White, Yellow |
| Size | 4" x 150' (50 yd) roll |
| Adhesive | High-tack pressure-sensitive; 1" strip holds 1.75 lb for 5 min with ≤2" peel (ASTM D4956 §7.5) |
| Liner | Peel-off release liner (no water or solvent needed) |
| Impact resistance | No cracking or delamination outside the impact area, 10 in-lb (ASTM D4956 §S2.2.1) |
| Flexibility | No cracking around a 1/8" mandrel |
| Weatherability | Meets ASTM D4956 §6.4; ≥80% of rated RA retained |
| Solvent resistance | Meets LS-300C §3.6.7 |
| Specular gloss | ≥40 at 85° (ASTM D523) |
| Shrinkage | ≤1/32" at 10 min; ≤1/8" at 24 hr |
| Daytime luminance (Y%) | White 27 min; Yellow 15–45 |
| Application temp | 65°F+ recommended; bonds down to 32°F |
| Warranty | 10-year limited (ORAFOL Americas) |
| Quality | ISO 9001:2015 manufacturing; batch traceable by roll number |
Application
- For best results apply at 65°F or above.
- When applying in cold weather (down to 32°F), the surface must be free of ice, frost, condensation and contaminants.
- Clean the car surface of dirt, oil and road film before application; peel the liner and apply with firm pressure.
- Follow the ORALITE® R59 Rail Conspicuity Sheeting Application Instructions from ORAFOL — ask us for a copy.
FAQ
Is R59 the same as truck conspicuity tape?
No. R59 is rail sheeting, marked for FRA-224. Truck and trailer tape (DOT-C2) is a different certification. For trucks, trailers and equipment, see ORALITE® V82.
White or yellow?
White is brighter at night (600 vs 400 cd/lx/m² at 0.2°). Choose the color your marking program specifies.
Can I apply it in winter?
Yes — the adhesive is formulated to bond down to 32°F if the surface is clean and free of ice, frost and condensation. ORAFOL still recommends 65°F+ for best results.
How do I know it's genuine ORALITE?
The FRA-224 certification mark is visible in the film, and the distinctive sealed-cell pattern identifies ORAFOL as the manufacturer. Rolls are batch-traceable by roll number.
WARNING: This product may expose you to chemicals which are known in the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
ORALITE® is a registered trademark of ORAFOL Europe GmbH.
