Best Practices for Measuring the Color of Transparent Sheet Plastic

Color and haze are key indicators of quality in transparent sheets. Developing a color specification is a critical part of the manufacturing process to track quality. Unlike finishes applied to surfaces, plastic's color is inherent to the material. 

Color measurement is crucial for maintaining consistency throughout the manufacturing process. Here at HunterLab, we can provide the right color measurement equipment to meet your color standards during manufacturing.

What Affects the Color of Transparent Plastics?

The color of your transparent plastic products plays a role in the aesthetic appeal. Transparent plastics appear colored or colorless depending on light and color perception. 

Here are two factors that affect the transparency of plastic:

Light Absorption and Reflection

When a material interacts with light, it can absorb, reflect, or transmit the light. Light passes through with little absorption in colorless plastics, and the transmitted light appears colorless to the human eye. Colored transparent plastics absorb some wavelengths and emit others. These plastics will reflect the color you see. 

The Material's Structure

Some materials cause light to scatter, resulting in a colored appearance. Impurities or defects in the material can also affect its interaction with light, swaying color perception and making the material appear less transparent. 

What Makes Transparent Plastic Materials Appear Blurry?

Transmission haze interferes with how light interacts with the material, causing blurriness. HunterLab offers spectrophotometers that can measure the amount of haze in plastic sheets. Spectrophotometers integrated with our QC Software can generate and store haze data. This data can help manufacturers trace the source of the problem and rectify it before bulk production.

Spectrophotometers for the Color Measurement of Transparent Sheet Plastic

Our customers rely on color for eligibility, and we offer color measurement solutions to meet their standards. We provide solutions to speed up the color measurement of transparent sheet plastic. 

Our Vista solution measures color and haze and outputs results in minutes. It is a method for determining the visual appearance of transparent plastic objects. The Vista model can measure color using various scales and indices, including  CIE L*a*b and Haze%.

HunterLab Is Committed to Promoting Sustainable Manufacturing

Government regulations mandate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting in an era of heightened environmental accountability. HunterLab's color measurement solutions address this by minimizing waste and maximizing resource utilization. We enable plastic manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through reduced environmental impact.

HunterLab actively promotes sustainable manufacturing practices within the transparent sheet plastics industry. Plastic resin oxidizes during production, creating a yellow hue. Optical brighteners counteract yellowing during the manufacture of transparent plastic. Spectrophotometers detect the level of yellowing to determine the appropriate amount of optical brighteners required.

Our advanced color measurement technology reduces rework and scrap associated with color inaccuracies. Additionally, this technology promotes energy efficiency by streamlining production processes. These combined benefits allow companies to mitigate their environmental effect and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Request a Quote for Color Measurement Equipment From HunterLab

HunterLab has been providing expert color analysis solutions for decades. Our specialists are always available to answer questions about our products and techniques. If color accuracy is essential to your business, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free quote.