Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Measuring the Colour of Transparent Sheet Plastic

Manufacturers of transparent plastics know all too well that haze can present challenges in achieving the desired outcomes. Too much scattering of the transmitted light produces a cloudy appearance that impacts consumer quality perceptions of quality and buying decisions. As a result, upholding consistent quality requires sophisticated tools that accurately and scientifically quantify colour and haze.

Spectrophotometers inspect these attributes objectively, providing numerical values to compare. These devices help eliminate product appearance variations so you can regularly and effectively meet consumer expectations for quality.

Choose the Right Colour Spectrophotometer

Benchtop spectrophotometers are ideal for measuring colour and ensuring uniformity in plastic products. To ensure consistency, manufacturers should measure points across the entire range of production.

Using a spectrophotometer to measure the colour of transparent sheet plastic offers several benefits, such as:

• Accurate data: Spectrophotometers provide reliable colour data that reflects its actual colour.
• Repeatability: These instruments provide a repeatable way to measure colour, minimizing errors and facilitating consistent colour throughout production.
• Standard compliance: HunterLab's spectrophotometers follow industry standards for colour measurement, ensuring consistency across the supply chain.

Find Your Colour Space

A colour space is a numerical way of experiencing colour. The CIE defines colour spaces to help communicate and express an object's colour. Use defined colour spaces such as CIE L*a*b*, CIE L*C*h, and CIE XYZ to test colour attributes, identify inconsistencies, and express findings. 

Colour measurement equipment makes it easier to quantify these colour attributes. This standardized method allows for easy comparison of colour data across different batches, facilitating adherence to colour standards.

Establish Tolerances

Establishing colour tolerances ensures consistency and accuracy throughout the quality process. A colour tolerance is the acceptable colour difference between the standard and the sample. 

Standardize Your Samples

Standardize the preparation and presentation of your samples during each reading to prevent errors and inconsistencies. These samples can be used to ensure future batches meet your desired colour measurements.

Precise Colour Measurement for Sustainable Practices

The plastics industry faces a crucial challenge — balancing quality standards with environmental responsibility. HunterLab's colour measurement solutions address this by providing precise colour control throughout production.

One key example is the management of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) resin. PET tends to become yellow due to oxidation. Yellowing requires optical brighteners in finished products to maintain clarity. Assessing the degree of yellowing in a batch of resin is crucial for determining the optimal dosage of optical brighteners. Accurate assessment minimizes waste and ensures a consistent, high-quality final product.

Increasing regulations and consumer demand drive the inclusion of recycled PET (rPET) in new products. This focus on a circular economy calls for reliable colour measurement tools across the supply chain. These tools enable manufacturers to adjust brightener usage by measuring the colour and fluorescent qualities of virgin PET and rPET. This process ensures consistent colour across finished goods, preventing costly errors and waste.

Choose HunterLab for Transparent Sheet Plastic Colour Measurement Equipment

Our Vista spectrophotometer can measure transmittance and offer haze data for clear plastics. HunterLab's spectrophotometers are built to the highest standards, offering precision, traceability, and consistency to your production processes. 

Contact our team today to get started with a free consultation