Colour measurement according to ISO 11664

A product’s colour has a great influence on its appearance. It is therefore important that a manufactured product should have the same colour as previously manufactured products. The degree of colour difference determines whether or not it is acceptable. It is difficult to determine a difference in colour exactly with the naked eye. This can lead to disagreements with your customer/supplier. With a digital colour measurement according to ISO 11664, you can make a colour difference measurable and show exactly whether or not a product meets the specifications.

Would you like to commission a colour (or gloss) measurement for your products?

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This is what a colour measurement entails

A colour measurement concerns a visual characteristic of a product, in this case the colour. The perception of a colour is different for each person, however, and is influenced by the person making the assessment, the gloss of the product and the type of light present at the time. A colour measurement in a lab is therefore more reliable, because it is objective. It is used to determine whether a deviation in the colour falls within an agreed margin. This ensures that there can never be any discussion about whether it is right or wrong.

The following materials can be tested

The colour measurement is suitable for all smooth materials with a flat surface of at least 5×3 cm. Colour measurement is widely used on plastics, paints and coatings. The measurement is also often used to determine the discolouration of samples in weathering tests, such as the QUV test and Xenon Arc test.

Do you want to measure the colour of your material?

Colour measurement working method

In a colour measurement, we use a spectrophotometer to measure the colour, which is expressed in the values according to CIELAB. RAL 9005, for example, becomes:

*L	*a	*b
4,04	0,09	-0,87

Please note that these data are only intended as guide values.

With a colour difference measurement, the colour is measured in relation to a reference sample. This enables us to determine whether the colour deviation is within the set margin. The colour deviations are expressed in the value Delta E. The Delta E is calculated using the individual deviations in the L, a and b values.

With the deviation DL, there is a difference in the light or darkness value. A + indicates a difference in the lightness value and a – indicates a difference in the darkness value;
With the deviation Da, there is a difference on the red or green axis. A + means the colour is redder and a – means it is greener;
With the deviation Db, there is a difference on the yellow or blue axis. A + means the colour is more yellow and a – means the colour is more blue.

The formula for calculating the Delta E value is:

Quality standard and test duration for Colour Measurement

The colour measurement is carried out in our lab according to ISO standard 11664 and complies with the CIELAB standard. CIELAB is a three-dimensional colour arrangement system.

A colour measurement only takes a few minutes. Please allow up to five working days for processing the results.

Please note that this is only a rule of thumb. Please contact the M2LAB specialists for advice on the test duration relevant to your situation and product.

Do you want to test your product according to the ISO 11664 standard?

Gloss measurement

Gloss is the degree to which a surface of a product reflects light, which can be measured in a lab. In doing so, the reflection of a light beam that falls on the material at a certain angle is measured.

Quality standard and test duration for Gloss Measurement

The gloss measurement is carried out according to the ISO 2813 standard and the colour measurement is suitable for all smooth materials with a flat surface of at least 5×3 cm. Gloss measurement is widely used on plastics, paints and coatings. The measurement is also often used to determine the loss of gloss of samples in weathering tests, such as the QUV test and Xenon Arc test.

Just like a colour measurement, a gloss measurement only takes a few minutes. The results are compiled in a report within a maximum of five working days.

Reporting and advice

Within five working days after completing the Taber Abraser test, you will receive a report with the results. After reading the report, you may still need advice on how to improve the quality of the product. As a specialist in the field of industrial surface treatment, our staff is always available to offer you advice.

Call +31 (0)13 – 463 06 88 for more information about the lead times for your required laboratory tests.