Measure the Color of Coated Glass

Measuring "color" in something that's usually clear sounds odd, but if you work in the industry, you know just how much effort goes into creating glass with the right hue and reflectance characteristics. Simply viewing a building from a certain angle can yield inconsistencies across adjacent glass panes. These might come from variations in the glass itself or the coating applied to it. Other sources of variation can include the weather, viewing distance, lighting conditions in the building, and other objects that might reflect on or change the glass's lighting.

Wherever it comes from, color inconsistency can lead to visual irregularities and create a less appealing design. It could also indicate differences in the quality or effectiveness of a coating.

When measuring the color of coated glass, you'll have a transmission measurement for how the glass looks from the inside and a reflectance measurement for how it looks from the outside. Numbers like these can provide the data required for quality control, consistency and necessary coating thickness. Typically, coated glass is measured via the industry standard from the International Commission on Illumination, the L*a*b* system (CIELAB).

Whether it's measured with CIELAB or another system, measuring coated glass is best done with a spectrophotometer. This tool is well-suited for measuring transparent materials that can vary in appearance based on lighting conditions.

UltraScan PRO for Coated Glass

For easy, objective measurements of coated glass, look no further than the UltraScan PRO. This benchtop sphere geometry spectrophotometer can tackle reflectance, transmittance, and haze measurements quickly and accurately. It is the industry's go-to spectrophotometer, providing valuable data for research and quality control purposes. Its extended wavelength range can reach into the near-infrared and near-ultraviolet wavelengths for easy measurement of coated materials and ultraviolet blockers.

Features of the UltraScan PRO include:

• Extended wavelengths from 350 to 1050 nanometers, with spectral data collected every 2 nanometers and reported every 5.
• Over-sized sample measurements, with the largest transmission compartment in the industry that's open on three sides.
• An easy one-touch read button for sample measurement initiation.
• A flash Xenon light source that eliminates ambient light effects, generates virtually no heat, and doesn't require a warm-up period.
• HunterLab's EasyMatch quality control software for exceptional flexibility and capability in the processing, display, and analysis of measurement results.

With the UltraScan PRO, you'll get everything you need to start, including calibration tiles, a certificate of traceability, diagnostic filters and tiles, various aperture sizes, EasyMatch quality control software, cables, and manuals.

HunterLab — The Trusted Source for Glass Color Measurements

If you're looking for accuracy and speed in one easy-to-use tool, the UltraScan PRO is an excellent choice. HunterLab has been paving the way in objective color measurement for over 65 years and is the industry's choice for glass color measurement devices. We help glass producers and builders ensure consistent color in their coated glass for an aesthetically pleasing finished result.

To learn more about how HunterLab can help with the color measurement of coated glass, please reach out to a representative today!

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