Colour Measurement Instruments for Plastics and Polymers
Plastic and Polymer Colour Quality Control
Colour variation, haze and light transmission can affect the appearance, consistency and acceptance of plastic products. Flexitest instruments support production and laboratory checks on moulded parts, masterbatch plaques, films, sheets, profiles, transparent panels and suitably presented liquid or powder samples.
Use the TS7700 for portable reflected-colour checks on opaque surfaces, the YH1000 for haze and luminous transmittance in transparent or translucent plastics, and the YS6060 for benchtop reflected and transmitted colour measurement. Final configuration depends on sample form, size, opacity, finish and the required test method.
Flexitest Colour measurement solutions
Colour Measurement Instrument Comparison
Compare instruments for reflected colour, transmitted colour, haze and luminous transmittance in plastic and polymer quality control. Choose TS7700 for portable reflected-colour checks, YH1000 for haze and transmittance, or YS6060 for benchtop reflectance and transmission colour measurement.
| Comparison | TS7700 Portable Spectrophotometer | YH1000 Haze Meter | YS6060 Benchtop Spectrophotometer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best suited for | Portable reflected-colour and colour-difference quality control on opaque plastic and polymer surfaces. | Haze and luminous transmittance measurement on transparent or translucent plastics. | Laboratory reflected and transmitted colour measurement across opaque, translucent and transparent samples. |
| Optical geometry | Reflectance d/8 (diffuse illumination, 8° viewing); SCI/SCE; UV included/excluded. | Transmittance 0/D (parallel illumination, diffuse viewing). | Reflectance d/8 and transmittance d/0; SCI/SCE; UV included/excluded; haze measurement to ASTM D1003. |
| Colour space | CIE L*a*b*, XYZ, Yxy, LCh, CIE L*u*v*, sRGB, Hunter Lab, βxy, DIN Lab 99 and Munsell (C/2). | Not applicable (haze and luminous transmittance measurement). | CIE L*a*b*, XYZ, Yxy, LCh, CIE L*u*v*, Munsell, sRGB, Hunter Lab, βxy and DIN Lab 99. |
| Illuminants | D65, A, C, D50, D55, D75, F1, F2 (CWF), F3–F12, DLF, TPL5, TL84 and TL83/U30. | D65, A and C. | D65, A, C, D50, D55, D75, F1–F12, CWF, DLF, TL83, TL84, TPL5 and U30. |
| Wavelength range | 400–700 nm | Not applicable as a spectral-output range | 360–780 nm |
| Data storage | 1,000 standards; 30,000 samples | 1,000 standards; 10,000 samples | 5,000 standards; 40,000 samples |
| Observer angle | 2° / 10° | 2° | 2° / 10° |
Use this comparison to find the instrument that best matches your plastic or polymer samples. The right choice depends on the material, sample size, surface finish and whether you need colour, haze or light-transmittance testing. Share these details with our team, and we will confirm the suitable model and accessories for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing colour, haze and transmittance instruments for plastic and polymer quality control.
Which instrument is suitable for colour measurement of plastics and polymers?
Choose the TS7700 for portable reflectance colour checks on opaque moulded parts, plaques and finished polymer surfaces. Choose the YS6060 when a laboratory system must measure both reflected and transmitted colour. Use the YH1000 when the requirement is haze and luminous transmittance in transparent or translucent plastics.
What is the difference between the TS7700 and YS6060?
The TS7700 is a portable d/8 reflectance spectrophotometer with a 400–700 nm wavelength range. The YS6060 is a benchtop instrument that combines d/8 reflectance and d/0 transmittance measurements across 360–780 nm.
When should the YH1000 haze meter be used?
Use the YH1000 to measure haze and luminous transmittance in clear or translucent plastic films, sheets, panels and moulded components. It is not the primary instrument for colour measurement on opaque polymer surfaces.
Can these instruments measure pellets, powders, liquids and films?
Sample form and presentation matter. Films, sheets, plaques and moulded parts can be measured with the appropriate geometry and aperture. Pellets, powders and liquids require suitable holders or accessories and a representative sample-preparation method; share the sample dimensions before final configuration.
What do SCI and SCE mean in plastic colour quality control?
SCI includes specular reflection and helps compare intrinsic colour while reducing the effect of gloss. SCE excludes specular reflection and more closely represents how surface gloss or texture changes visual appearance. The TS7700 and YS6060 support both modes.
What is the difference between colour, haze and transmittance measurement?
Colour measurement compares spectral colour or colour difference. Haze quantifies light scattering that creates a cloudy appearance in a transparent material, while luminous transmittance describes how much visible light passes through it. The required property determines the instrument and geometry.
Which ASTM and ISO standards are used for colour measurement in plastics and polymer QC?
The correct standard depends on the sample and the result required. Common laboratory references include ASTM E1164 for obtaining spectral data, ASTM E308 for calculating CIE/CIELAB values and ASTM D2244 for calculating small colour differences against agreed tolerances on opaque plastic plaques or parts. ISO/CIE 11664-4 defines CIELAB, while ISO/CIE 11664-6 defines the CIEDE2000 colour-difference formula. ASTM D1003 applies to haze and luminous transmittance in transparent plastics. Narrower methods may apply to specific samples—for example, ASTM E313 for yellowness or whiteness of suitable near-white or colourless materials, and ASTM D6290 for comparable plastic pellets. Use the method edition named in your customer specification or quality plan. Share the sample type, required standard and acceptance limit so Flexitest can confirm the appropriate instrument, holder and measurement setup.
Where can I find the complete specification for each model?
Select the linked TS7700, YH1000 or YS6060 model name in the comparison table to open its dedicated product page. This page is the category overview; final configuration should be confirmed against your sample form, dimensions and test method.
