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What is a gloss unit?

The measurement scale, Gloss Units (GU), of gloss meters is a scaling based on a highly polished reference black glass standard with a defined refractive index having a specular reflectance of 100GU at the specified angle.

This standard is used to establish an upper point calibration of 100 with the lower end point established at 0 on a perfectly matt surface. This scaling is suitable for most non-metallic coatings and materials (paints and plastics) as they generally fall within this range.

For other materials, highly reflective in appearance (mirrors, plated / raw metal components), higher values can be achieved reaching 2000 Gloss Units when measured at 20°.

Related products

Novo-Gloss 45 Glossmeter

  • 45° glossmeter for all gloss applications
  • Specialist angle for the measurement of films and ceramics
  • Full colour easy to read screen
  • Easy reporting

FAQ: What is a gloss unit?