3M Innovative Properties Company

Douglas C Degler

Terry R Bailey

Howard R Tolliver

Dennis J Chirhart

Ann M Bastiaens

Greg L Breault

An electrographic process for making a base construction useful for making retroreflective graphic articles is provided.

Graphic base construction, retroreflective graphic article made therefrom and method of making

A retroreflective sheeting having incorporated therein an optically-nonfunctional backing film. The backing film comprises at least a self-adherent layer which is adhered directly to the rear side of the specularly reflecting layer of the sheeting and, may further comprise one or more layers, such as a reinforcing layer, on the rear side of the self-adherent layer. The physical properties of the backing film, e.g., tensile strength, tear resistance, elongation, or adhesive compatibility are selected according to the properties desired of the resultant retroreflective sheeting. The self-adherent layer may comprise: polyethylene; or one or more copolymers comprising by weight a major portion of at least one of ethylene or propylene, and a minor portion of a polar comonomer; or a blend comprising (a) one or more other polymers and (b) one or more of such copolymers or polyethylene or combinations of such copolymers and polyethylene, the blend comprising a major portion by weight of ethylene and/or propylene.

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White Bear Lake, MN, United States of America

Douglas C Degler