What Is the Best Way to Measure the Color of Transparent Sheet Plastics?

Slight differences in haze and thickness can impact the appearance of transparent materials, challenging consistency and quality control. HunterLab provides solutions for objective color management throughout production, from raw materials to finished products. Color testing enables manufacturers to adapt data-driven quality control techniques to achieve accurate color replication, saving time and resources.

Factors That Affect the Color of Transparent Sheet Plastic

Haze refers to a material's visual clarity and is the only accurate way to determine the color and appearance of transparent plastic. The color and haze of plastics, especially transparent plastic, depend largely on their chemical makeup. Any impurities or defects in the plastic's chemical composition may cause the material to become more hazy. 

Of course, this is not ideal for plastic manufacturers aiming for transparent sheet plastic. That's why it's essential to measure the color and haze objectively instead of relying on visual inspections. 

How to Measure the Color of Transparent Plastic 

The best way to measure the color of transparent plastics is by using a benchtop spectrophotometer. Our spectrophotometers will assist in measuring and optimizing each stage, improving the accuracy of the manufacturing process and setting targets by documenting results.

Color measurement for transparent plastics focuses on collecting data and generating appropriate indices to quantify color properties. Our color measurement instruments can measure color data and generate indices like:

• CIE L*a*b: This color space provides a three-dimensional representation of color based on lightness (L*), redness/greenness (a*), and yellowness/blueness (b*).
• Hunter L,a,b: This is another color space similar to CIE L*a*b* but with slight variations in the underlying calculations.
• Yellowness Index (YI): This index quantifies the degree of yellowness in a material. It's particularly relevant for transparent plastics that might exhibit slight yellowing.
• Whiteness Index (WI): This color index indicates the degree of whiteness in a material.
• Optical Clarity: Refers to how capable a material is of letting light pass through. Materials that have high levels of optical clarity will allow light to pass through without any distortion, bending or scattering and can be measured using Haze and NTU indices.

Importance of Color Measurement in Transparent Plastic

Consistent color is essential for ensuring a product's quality and marketability. Deviations in color can impact brand identity and consumer perception. 

Some key benefits of using objective color measurement equipment include:

• Quality control: Color measurement ensures consistent color quality throughout production.
• Monitoring contamination: By tracking color, manufacturers can identify potential contamination that might affect the appearance of the finished product.
• Color development: Accurate color measurement is essential for creating new color palettes while maintaining compatibility with existing items.

Sustainable Color Control in Plastic Production

In today's competitive environment, transparent plastic manufacturers need efficient and sustainable solutions. HunterLab is a catalyst for positive change with color measurement solutions that deliver on both fronts. HunterLab's technology identifies color variations in:

• Raw materials
• Resins, chemicals, and pigments
• Recycled pellets
• Intermediate products
• Finished goods

This approach prevents the production of large quantities of defective items, reducing waste and maximizing resource use. HunterLab's technology allows immediate corrective action to identify color issues early, reducing scrap and costly reworks. This reduces downtime, improves production efficiency, and results in faster customer delivery times.

Moreover, by preventing unnecessary energy consumption associated with producing defective items, HunterLab enables manufacturers to contribute to a greener future. Accurate color measurement reduces the need to reprocess flawed products, conserving valuable energy resources and minimizing associated carbon emissions.

Contact HunterLab to Achieve Color Accuracy During Production

HunterLab has a dedicated team of specialists to help you optimize and customize systems for color specifications. Leverage our teams' expertise to establish repeatable color measurement and control practices. 

Contact us today or request a quote.