What is gloss?

Gloss refers to the ability of an object's surface to reflect light, and is one of the important indicators for evaluating surface smoothness and texture. It is usually measured using a gloss meter, and its unit is "gloss unit (GU)".

Glossiness is primarily affected by incident light and the surface material, and is graded based on how strongly the surface reflects light. The smoother the surface, the higher the glossiness, and the more concentrated the reflected light. For example, polished metal or glass surfaces usually have a higher glossiness, while rough paper or matte paint have a lower glossiness.

Unit of gloss

Glossiness is usually measured in Gloss Units (GU), a standardized unit used to describe the amount of light reflected from a surface at a specific angle. GU values usually range from 0 to 100:

· High gloss: above 90, usually suitable for polished metal and glass, etc.

· Medium gloss: between 40-70, used in some automotive and household paints.

· Low gloss: below 10, suitable for objects with low gloss requirements such as paper and wood.

The GU values under different gloss standards are also different. For example, the plastics industry and the coatings industry may define gloss units according to different international standards (such as ISO 2813 or ASTM D523).

How to measure gloss?

Gloss is generally measured using a gloss meter. A gloss meter is an instrument specifically used to detect the gloss of an object's surface. It quantifies the gloss of a surface by illuminating a light source at a specific angle and measuring the intensity of the reflected light.

What is the working principle of the gloss meter?

The measurement principle of the gloss meter is based on light reflection. Usually, the gloss meter emits light at a specific angle to the surface of the object to be measured, and then receives the amount of reflected light through the sensor.

Sensitivity at different angles in different gloss ranges

How to measure gloss using a gloss meter

The working process of the gloss meter is as follows:

1. Light source irradiation: The light source is irradiated onto the surface of the object at a set angle (usually 20°, 60° or 85°).

2. Reflection of light: Depending on the smoothness of the surface, light will be partially reflected onto the sensor.

3. The sensor receives reflected light: The reflected light enters the sensor, and the gloss meter records the reflected intensity of the light.

4. Conversion to gloss value: The gloss meter converts the amount of reflected light into gloss units (GU) and displays it on the screen.

Correct use of the gloss meter can improve measurement accuracy. The following are the measurement steps of the gloss meter:

1. Power on and calibrate: Make sure the gloss meter is calibrated correctly. Most gloss meters come with a standard calibration plate to ensure data consistency.

2. Set the measuring angle: Select the appropriate measuring angle (20°, 60° or 85°) according to the surface characteristics of the object to be measured.

3. Start measuring: Aim the measuring window of the gloss meter at the surface to be measured and press gently to ensure that the instrument is stable and without shaking.

4. Record the values: The measured values will be displayed on the screen in GU format. Record the measurement results.

5. Multi-point measurement: Multi-point measurement is performed on a larger surface area to ensure the consistency of gloss distribution.

How to choose the appropriate gloss measurement angle?

The choice of angle is one of the keys to gloss measurement. Generally, a 60° angle is suitable for medium gloss, a 20° angle is used for high gloss measurement, and an 85° angle is suitable for low gloss surfaces.

High Gloss - 20° angle

The 20° angle is used to measure smooth and highly polished surfaces that can clearly reflect images. The incident light is directly reflected at an equal angle, which is suitable for high-gloss materials such as mirrors and polished metals. In order to accurately distinguish these high-gloss surfaces, a gloss meter with a 20° or micro-gloss 20° can be used.

Semi Gloss - 60° angle

The 60° angle is suitable for semi-gloss surfaces, such as some rough surfaces. On these surfaces, light will be scattered and reflected, the clarity of the reflection will be reduced, and the image of the object will become blurred. The 60° angle can measure the gloss of such surfaces and provide a more standard reading. Common models include NHG60 and HG60, which are suitable for semi-gloss gloss measurement.

Low Gloss or Mat - 85° angle

The 85° angle is suitable for low gloss or matte surfaces, such as very rough materials, which hardly reflect any clear image. The gloss meter at an 85° angle is able to detect the faint reflection of the surface, making it suitable for matte or low gloss materials.

Multi-angle gloss meter - TRI-gloss (20°/60°/85°)

When you need to measure three types of surfaces: high gloss, semi-gloss, and low gloss, you can use a triangular gloss meter that supports 20°, 60°, and 85° angles, such as the 3nh gloss meter NHG268 and HG268. These devices can measure all angles together and provide complete gloss data, suitable for surface gloss measurement of a variety of materials.

Set the measurement angle when measuring

Gloss levels are classified as matte, semi-gloss or glossy. To determine the most appropriate measurement angle, first set the gloss meter to a 60° angle of incidence.

If the result is between 10 - 70GU, the coating is called "semi-gloss" and should be measured using a 60° angle on the gloss meter. If the result is less than 10GU, the product is "low gloss" and should be measured using an 85° angle on the gloss meter; if the result is greater than 70GU, the product is "high gloss" and should be measured using a 20° angle on the gloss meter.

What can a gloss meter measure? Applications of gloss meters

Gloss meters are mainly used to measure the glossiness of an object's surface, helping to quantify the surface's ability to reflect light. Gloss meters can measure the following types of surface characteristics:

Surface gloss

Quantifies the intensity of light reflected from a surface, and the result is usually expressed in "gloss units" (GU). Different angles of measurement (such as 20°, 60°, 85°) correspond to different gloss ranges: 20° is suitable for high gloss, 60° is suitable for semi-gloss, and 85° is suitable for low gloss surfaces.

Surface uniformity

Gloss measurements in multiple areas can be used to assess the consistency of surface gloss, helping to identify surface quality defects or coating inhomogeneities.

Material gloss level

According to the measurement results of the gloss meter, the material can be classified into different grades such as matte, semi-matt, semi-gloss and high gloss, which is helpful for quality grading and classification.

Gloss meters can be used to measure the specular reflection of ceramics, wood, plastics, paint, paper and other industries and metals. The details are as follows:

Coatings and paint industry

Measuring the surface gloss of coatings and paints to ensure that different batches of products have a consistent appearance is particularly important in industries such as automobiles, home furnishings, and construction that have high requirements for coating quality.

Automotive Industry

The surface gloss of the exterior and interior accessories of a car directly affects its visual effect. Gloss meters are used to test car body paint, plastic interior parts, etc. to ensure the uniformity and high-quality appearance of the product.

Plastics and polymers industry

Different plastic products need to meet different gloss requirements. Gloss meters can help manufacturers control the surface quality of plastic products, thereby achieving product standardization and consistency.

Paper and printing industry

In the paper manufacturing and printing process, glossiness has a great impact on visual effects and printing quality. Gloss meters are used to monitor the surface gloss of paper to ensure that different batches of products maintain consistent visual effects.

Ceramics and building materials industry

For example, the glossiness of ceramic tiles, stone and metal building materials will directly affect the interior decoration effect. Gloss meters are used to evaluate the surface gloss of these materials and help customers choose suitable building materials products.

Electronics

The glossiness of electronic device housings, screens, and other surfaces affects their visual beauty and user experience. Gloss meters can help manufacturers control the appearance quality of products during the production process.

Textiles and leather

Gloss is an important appearance characteristic in textiles (such as silk) and leather products. Gloss meters help evaluate and control the surface quality of these materials to meet the needs of different customers.

Food and cosmetic packaging

Food and cosmetic packaging has high requirements for gloss to increase the attractiveness of the product. Gloss meters are used to test the gloss of packaging materials to ensure that the product maintains a consistent and attractive appearance on the shelf.

3nh gloss meter

3nh gloss meter has the characteristics of high precision, stability and convenient operation, and is widely used in gloss measurement needs of various industries. 3nh gloss meter has multi-angle measurement technology (such as 20°, 60°, 85° angles), which can cover high gloss, semi-gloss and low gloss ranges, and is suitable for different material surfaces such as coatings, plastics, building materials, paper, ceramics, etc. 3nh gloss meter has automatic calibration function, user-friendly interface, and provides a variety of data output options for easy quality control and data management. Its compact design and durability make it perform well in both laboratory and field environments, providing users with accurate and reliable gloss measurement experience.

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