What exactly is reflective material?

There are many reflective things in life, such as the most typical “moon”, which reflects the light of the sun. These reflectors produce different reflection effects due to different materials and colors. And what is the ‘reflective material’ that we often hear about? What is the purpose for us?
Reflective materials, also known as retro reflective materials or retro reflective materials, are widely used in various road traffic safety facilities such as traffic signs and markings, protruding road signs, contour signs, traffic cones, collision barriers, as well as car license plates, clothing, shoes and hats, fire protection, railways, water transportation, mining areas, etc. They can be divided into traffic sign reflective materials (such as safety warning uniforms), road marking reflective materials, protruding road signs, contour signs, and reflective materials for clothing (such as reflective raincoats).
The realization of the anti reflection function of light is achieved through various reflective materials with anti reflection properties. The vast majority of these materials are not naturally formed in nature, but rely on human creativity to invent and synthesize new substances. Reverse reflection technology integrates various disciplines and technologies such as optics, materials science, mathematics, and organic chemistry.
Since the 1930s, humans have not only rapidly put into use various new types of reflective materials created by technology and industry to reduce road traffic injuries as soon as possible, but also gradually initiated research on the application of reflective technology to improve road traffic safety conditions.
Reflective materials can utilize the illumination of car lights and the reflection of light to enhance visibility, increase the distance for drivers to detect objects ahead, and thus give drivers more time to take corresponding safety measures. Therefore, we often use reflective fabrics on clothing. Compared with other types of road traffic safety measures and the cost of reducing road traffic accident injuries, the application of reverse reflection technology for early warning is undoubtedly a low-cost and effective solution. In a sense, the application of anti reflective materials is a more proactive safety measure. Compared with measures aimed at reducing the degree of injury after accidents, such as guardrail protection, it has greater safety value and better reflects care for life.