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Novo-Gloss 20/60/85 Glossmeter with Haze to ASTM E430

£2,980

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Description

Novo-Gloss 20/60/85 Glossmeter with Haze to ASTM E430

The Novo-Gloss 20/60/85° gloss meter is designed to meet the measurement criteria for most gloss measuring applications.

The high specifications, including statistical analysis, graphical analysis and software-free PC down load facility make it the ideal gloss meter for matt to mirror surface finishes.

Measured parameters

Gloss measurement for all surface finishes:

  • 20° – High gloss
  • 60° – Medium gloss
  • 85° – Low gloss

Haze measurement to ASTM E430

Reflectance haze measurement with compensation mode to provide consistent readings of metallics and speciality pigments

Glossmeter features

  • Fast measurement, single button push measures all parameters
  • On-board statistics with graphical trend analysis and reporting.
  • Automatic calibration with tile validation
  • Date and time stamped results
  • Easy Batching – User definable batch names and batch sizes for quicker and more efficient reporting
  • Software-free data transfer
  • Direct data input via Bluetooth – instantly transmit measured readings directly to programs such as Microsoft Excel
  • Auto-ranging, measures matt to mirror finishes
  • Pass / fail for easy identification of non-conformances
  • Compatible with all major international standards
  • Extended two year warranty
  • Lifetime lightsource guarantee

Why measure gloss?

The gloss level of an object is one of the visual attributes used by a consumer to determine whether or not that object is fit for purpose.

Gloss has been defined as ‘The attribute of surfaces that causes them to have shiny or lustrous, metallic appearance.’

Manufacturers design their products to have maximum appeal: from highly reflective car body panels to glossy household appliances or matt finish automotive interior trim.

This is especially noticeable where parts may be produced by different manufacturers or factories but will be placed adjacent to one another to create the finished product.

Gloss can also be a measure of the quality of the surface, for instance a drop in the gloss of a coated surface may indicate problems with its cure, leading to other failures such as poor adhesion or lack of protection for the coated surface.

The gloss of a surface can be greatly influenced by a number of factors, for example the smoothness achieved during polishing, the amount and type of coating applied or the quality of the substrate.

It is for these reasons that many manufacturing industries monitor the gloss of their products, from cars, printing and furniture to food, pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics.

It is important therefore that gloss levels are achieved consistently on every product or across different batches of products.

How is gloss measured?

Gloss is measured by shining a known amount of light at a surface and quantifying the reflectance.

Which angle should I use for my application?

ISO 2813 and ASTM D523 (the most commonly used standards) describe three measurement angles to measure gloss across all surfaces.

Gloss is measured in gloss units (GU) and is traceable to reference standards held at NIST (USA).

Universal Measurement Angle: 60°

All gloss levels can be measured using the standard measurement angle of 60°. This is used as the reference angle with the complimentary angles of 85° and 20° often used for low and high gloss levels respectively.

Low Gloss: 85°

For improved resolution of low gloss a grazing angle of 85° is used to measure the surface. This angle is recommended for surfaces which measure less than 10GU when measured at 60°.

This angle also has a larger measurement spot which will average out differences in the gloss of textured or slightly uneven surfaces.

High Gloss: 20°

The acute measurement angle of 20° gives improved resolution for high gloss surfaces. Surfaces that measure 70GU and above at the standard angle of 60° are often measured with this geometry.

The 20° angle is more sensitive to haze effects that affect the appearance of a surface.

Speciality measuring angle: 45°

This measuring angle is in accordance with the ISO 2457 standard for the gloss measurement of plastic films and solid plastic parts as well as according to the standard ASTM C346 for the gloss measurement of ceramics

Universal Measurement Angle: 60°

All gloss levels can be measured using the standard measurement angle of 60°. This is used as the reference angle with the complimentary angles of 85° and 20° often used for low and high gloss levels respectively.

Low Gloss: 85°

For improved resolution of low gloss a grazing angle of 85° is used to measure the surface. This angle is recommended for surfaces which measure less than 10GU when measured at 60°.

This angle also has a larger measurement spot which will average out differences in the gloss of textured or slightly uneven surfaces.

High Gloss: 20°

The acute measurement angle of 20° gives improved resolution for high gloss surfaces. Surfaces that measure 70GU and above at the standard angle of 60° are often measured with this geometry.

The 20° angle is more sensitive to haze effects that affect the appearance of a surface.

To quantify haze, distinctness of image, reflected image quality and other surface texturing please consider the Rhopoint IQ.

Why measure Haze?

Haze can be described as near specular reflection. It is caused by a microscopic surface structure which slightly changes the direction of a reflected light causing a bloom adjacent to the specular (gloss) angle. The surface has less reflective contrast and a shallow milky effect.
Novo-Gloss application image for Why Measure Haze?

In the coatings industry, this microscopic surface texture is often due to poorly dispersed raw materials, incompatible raw materials or oxidisation and weathering. For polished metal surfaces, haze is often associated with polishing marks or chemical residue.

Haze

Haze is light that has been reflected by small surface structures adjacent to the main specular component.

Reflectance haze – An optical effect caused by microscopic texture or residue on a surface.

Image highlighting the impact of Haze

Reflection haze

Reflection haze is an optical phenomenon usually associated with high gloss surfaces.

It is a common surface fault that reduces appearance quality. A hazy surface has a visibly shallower reflection with a milky finish and halos appear around reflections of strong light sources.

Haze Sample 1
Sample 1
No Haze, deep reflection
Haze Sample 2
Sample 2
High Haze, 'shallow' finish
A high gloss finish with haze exhibits a milky finish with low reflective contrast, reflected highlights and lowlights are less pronounced.
On surfaces with haze, halos are visible around the reflections of strong light sources.
Image showing reflection of strong light source in a surface with low haze
Sample 3
Low Haze
Haze Sample 4
Sample 4
Higher Haze
Yacht

Causes of Haze

Coating & Raw Materials

  • Dispersion
  • Pigment properties
  • Particle size
  • Binder compatibility
  • Influence and migration of additives
  • Resin types and quality

Curing

  • Drying conditions
  • Cure temperature

Post Coating

  • Polishing marks
  • Cleanliness
  • Ageing and oxidisation
HAZE EXAMPLES
Haze: Often visible as milky finish on high gloss surfaces

Gloss and haze measurement with array technology

The Novo-Gloss 20/60/85 version with haze uses a 512 element linear diode array which profiles reflected light in a large arc from 14° to 27°.

The instrument processes this high resolution data, selecting individual elements within the array that equate to the angular tolerances outlined in international measurement standards.

In a single 20° measurement, the following calculations are made:
Equations
Haze equations

Curved surface adjustment

A major advantage of the Novo-Gloss 20/60/85 version with haze is that it automatically compensates for curved or textured sample surfaces by virtually adjusting the measurement position.

Conventional gloss-hazemeters have fixed optics which can make measurement unreliable as any sample curvature will reflect light away from the centre of the measurement sensor causing errors.

The Novo-Gloss 20/60/85 version with haze automatically adjusts the sensor position by detecting the peak of the reflected light. The laws of reflection state that the incident angle is equal to the reflection angle thus the peak equates exactly to the 20° gloss angle.

Diagram showing how the Rhopoint IQ can compensate for reflection haze utilising a diode array
The Novo-Gloss 20/60/85 version with haze automatically adjusts for non-flat surfaces by sensing the reflected peak and virtually adjusting the position.
Diagram showing how micro-textures on a surface produces reflection haze