Polymer Color Intelligence: Effect of Materials, Instruments, and Measurement Techniques - A Review

Transparent polymers and plastics are used to create molded partsand films for many applications. The colors of these products areof great importance for the suppliers, manufacturers, and end-users.However, for simplicity of the processing, the plastics are producedin the form of small pellets or granules. The predictive measurementof the color of such materials is a challenging process and needsconsideration of a complex set of factors. A combination of colormeasurement systems in transmittance and reflectance modes need tobe used for such materials, along with the techniques for minimizingthe artifacts based on surface texture and particle sizes. This articleprovides an extensive overview and discussion of the various factorsthat can affect the perceptive colors and the methods used for thecharacterization of the colors and minimizing the measuring artifacts.

Automated summary

Predictive measurement of colors in transparent polymers and plastics is challenging due to the forms of pellets or granules used in the processing. This article discusses the factors affecting perceptive colors, as well as the methods used for color characterization and minimizing measuring artifacts, such as surface texture and particle sizes.