Materials & polymer testing
Colorimeter / colour spectrophotometer
Measures the colour of a surface or liquid as numbers in a standard colour space such as CIE L*a*b*, and the colour difference (ΔE*) from a standard. Used for batch-to-batch colour matching of paints, plastics, chemicals and cosmetics.
- Paints & coatings
- Polymers & plastics
- Chemicals
- Oils & fats
- Textiles
- Cosmetics
- Food
TROUBLESHOOTING
Common problems, causes and fixes
Check tile ΔE* larger than usual
Likely causes
- • Dirty or damaged white tile
- • Instrument not warmed up
- • Lamp ageing
What to do
- • Clean the tile, recalibrate and re-measure
- • Allow full warm-up
- • Arrange service
Repeat readings on one sample vary
Likely causes
- • Sample not flat or not opaque
- • Uneven colour or texture
- • Sample moved during reading
What to do
- • Use a standard backing and press the sample flat
- • Average more readings or use a larger aperture
- • Use a sample holder
Batch passes on instrument but looks different
Likely causes
- • Metamerism
- • Gloss difference with SCI mode
- • Tolerance too wide
What to do
- • Compare under a second illuminant
- • Measure in SCE or check gloss
- • Review tolerance with visual assessment in a light booth
Liquid colour readings unstable
Likely causes
- • Bubbles or haze in the cell
- • Fingerprints on cell windows
- • Wrong blank
What to do
- • Degas or let the sample settle; filter if allowed
- • Clean the cell
- • Re-blank with the correct reference liquid
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management
Keep every Colorimeter in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.