ASTM E179-12

Standard Guide for Selection of Geometric Conditions for Measurement of Reflection and Transmission Properties of Materials

ABSTRACT
This guide is intended for use in selecting terminology, measurement scales, and instrumentation for describing or evaluating such appearance characteristics as glossiness, opacity, lightness, transparency, and haziness in terms of reflected or transmitted light. This guide does not consider the spectral variations responsible for color, but the geometric variables described herein can importantly affect instrumentally measured values of color. This guide deals with the reflected and transmitted light and the selection of geometric conditions for its measurement. There are five kinds of measurement scale used in this guide. First is the regular scale which indicates that only light that has been reflected or transmitted without scattering or diffusion is included for measurement. Second is the specular scale which indicates that only the light that is mirror reflected is included for measurement. The third scale is the diffuse scale which indicates that only the light reflected or transmitted in directions other than the specular or regular direction is included in the measurement. The total scale, the fourth scale, indicates that the light reflected or transmitted in all directions is included for measurement. Last is the directional scale which indicates that the light reflected or transmitted in specified directions only is included for measurement. Directional values depend on the illumination and viewing angles and refer to light reflected or transmitted in directions that differ moderately from the centroid direction or axis of the beam. There should be only one aperture stop in any instrument. This stop determines the cross-sectional area of the incident beam on the specimen. All incident rays within the limits of the illuminator aperture angle, and all rays within the receiver aperture angle, should reach the receiver and be given equal weight by the measurement system. When vignetting occurs, the illumination, viewing, and aperture angles do not adequately describe the geometric properties of the instrument. Regularly and diffusely reflected and transmitted light are often not adequately differentiated and identified to enable their separation for measurement. Most objects and material distribute some light both regularly and diffusely; consequently the regular and diffuse components of reflection and transmission cannot be separated precisely for measurement.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended for use in selecting terminology, measurement scales, and instrumentation for describing or evaluating such appearance characteristics as glossiness, opacity, lightness, transparency, and haziness in terms of reflected or transmitted light. This guide does not consider the spectral variations responsible for color, but the geometric variables described herein can importantly affect instrumentally measured values of color. This guide is general in scope rather than specific as to instrument or material.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2012
• ICS: 17.180.20 - Colours and measurement of light
• Technical Committee: E12 - Color and Appearance
• Drafting Committee: E12.03 - Geometry

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E179-96(2003) - Standard Guide for Selection of Geometric Conditions for Measurement of Reflection and Transmission Properties of Materials (Withdrawn 2012)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C1649-14(2021) - Standard Practice for Instrumental Transmittance Measurement of Color for Flat Glass, Coated and Uncoated
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D2205-20 - Standard Guide for Selection of Tests for Traffic Paints
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E1348-22 - Standard Test Method for Transmittance and Color by Spectrophotometry Using Hemispherical Geometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E2153-01(2023) - Standard Practice for Obtaining Bispectral Photometric Data for Evaluation of Fluorescent Color
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D5386-16 - Standard Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E991-21 - Standard Practice for Color Measurement of Fluorescent Specimens Using the One-Monochromator Method
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E1349-06(2022) - Standard Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by Spectrophotometry Using Bidirectional (45°:0° or 0°:45°) Geometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D4960-20 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Color for Thermoplastic Pavement Marking Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E1331-15(2019) - Standard Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by Spectrophotometry Using Hemispherical Geometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E1347-06(2020) - Standard Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Measurement by Tristimulus Colorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C1650-14(2021) - Standard Practice for Instrumental Reflectance Measurement of Color for Flat Glass, Coated, and Uncoated
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D8087-18 - Standard Test Method for Color of Maleic Anhydride in the Molten State and After Heating (Platinum-Cobalt Scale) Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E284-22 - Standard Terminology of Appearance
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM G73-10(2021) - Standard Test Method for Liquid Impingement Erosion Using Rotating Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E179 −12
Standard Guide for
Selection of Geometric Conditions for Measurement of
1
Reflection and Transmission Properties of Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E179; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This is a guide describing the selecting of geometric conditions of measurement of appearance
attributes such as color, gloss, reflectance, opacity, and transmittance. It includes a selection of
numerical scales for appearance attributes other than color.
In describing appearance, wavelength (or spectral) variability is primarily responsible for color,
while geometric (or directional) selectivity is primarily responsible for gloss, luster, translucency, and
like attributes. However, geometric conditions not only affect geometric variables such as gloss and
transparency, but also affect color, diffuse reflectance, and transmittance. Likewise spectral conditions
can affect the measurement of geometric attributes of appearance. Therefore both the spectral and
geometric conditions of measurement must be identified in specifying an appearance attribute of a
specimen.
This guide describes the selection of geometric conditions and as a consequence should help
improve agreement in these measurements as well as providing useful guidance in resolving
differences between spectral-type measurements that are related to geometry.
3
1. Scope of White Porcelain Enamels (Withdrawn 1990)
C523 Test Method for Light Reflectance of Acoustical Ma-
1.1 This guide is intended for use in selecting terminology,
terials by the Integrating Sphere Reflectometer (With-
measurement scales, and instrumentation for describing or
3
drawn 1988)
evaluating such appearance characteristics as glossiness,
C584 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Glazed Ceramic
opacity, lightness, transparency, and haziness in terms of
Whitewares and Related Products
reflected or transmitted light. This guide does not consider the
D523 Test Method for Specular Gloss
spectral variations responsible for color, but the geometric
D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance
variables described herein can importantly affect instrumen-
of Transparent Plastics
tally measured values of color. This guide is general in scope
D1455 Test Method for 60° Specular Gloss of Emulsion
rather than specific as to instrument or material.
Floor Polish
D1494 Test Method for Diffuse Light Transmission Factor
2. Referenced Documents
of Reinforced Plastics Panels
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1746 Test Method for Transparency of Plastic Sheeting
C346 Test Method for 45-deg Specular Gloss of Ceramic
D1834 Test Method for 20° Specular Gloss of Waxed Paper
Materials 3
(Withdrawn 2004)
C347 Test Method for Reflectivity and Coefficient of Scatter
D4039 Test Method for Reflection Haze of High-Gloss
Surfaces
D4061 Test Method for Retroreflectance of Horizontal Coat-
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color and
ings
Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.03 on Geometry.
E97 Method of Test for Directional Reflectance Factor,
Current edition approved July 1, 2012. Published September 2012. Originally
45-Deg 0-Deg, of Opaque Specimens by Broad-Band
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E179 – 96 (2003)
3
Filter Reflectometry (Withdrawn 1991)
which was withdrawn April 2012 and reinstated in July 2012. DOI: 10.1520/
E0179-12
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E179−12
E167 Practice for Goniophotometry of Objects and Materi- 3.1.5 transmitted flux, Φ,n—flux transmitted through the
t
3
als (Withdrawn 2005) specimen at a specified viewing angle and field angle.
E284 Terminology of Appearance
3.1.6 reflectance, ρ,n—ratio of the reflected flux to the
E429 Test Method for Measurement and Calculation of
incident flux defined as ρ =Φ / Φ.
r i
Reflecting Characteristics of Metallic Surfaces Using
3.1.7 reflectance factor, R, n—ratio of the reflected flux to
3
Integrating Sphere Instruments (Withdrawn 1996)
the reference reflected flux defined asR= Φ / Φ .
r r.r
E430 TestMethodsforMeasurementofGlossofHigh-Gloss
3.1.8 transmittance,
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E179–96(Reapproved2003) Designation: E179 – 12
Standard Guide for
Selection of Geometric Conditions for Measurement of
1
Reflection and Transmission Properties of Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E179; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This is a guide describing the selecting of geometric conditions of measurement of appearance
attributes such as color, gloss, reflectance, opacity, and transmittance. It includes a selection of
numerical scales for appearance attributes other than color.
In describing appearance, wavelength (or spectral) variability is primarily responsible for color,
while geometric (or directional) selectivity is primarily responsible for gloss, luster, translucency, and
like attributes. However, geometric conditions not only affect geometric variables such as gloss and
transparency, but also affect color, diffuse reflectance, and transmittance. Likewise spectral conditions
can affect the measurement of geometric attributes of appearance. Therefore both the spectral and
geometric conditions of measurement must be identified in specifying an appearance attribute of a
specimen.
This guide describes the selection of geometric conditions and as a consequence should help
improve agreement in these measurements as well as providing useful guidance in resolving
differences between spectral-type measurements that are related to geometry.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide is intended for use in selecting terminology, measurement scales, and instrumentation for describing or
evaluating such appearance characteristics as glossiness, opacity, lightness, transparency, and haziness in terms of reflected or
transmitted light. This guide does not consider the spectral variations responsible for color, but the geometric variables described
herein can importantly affect instrumentally measured values of color. This guide is general in scope rather than specific as to
instrument or material.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C346 Test Method for 45-deg Specular Gloss of Ceramic Materials
3
C347 Test Method for Reflectance, Reflectivity, and Coefficient of Scatter of White Porcelain Enamels
C523 Test Method for Light Reflectance of Acoustical Materials by the Integrating Sphere Reflectometer
C584 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Glazed Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
D523 Test Method for Specular Gloss
D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
D1455 Test Method for 60 Specular Gloss of Emulsion Floor Polish
D1494 Test Method for Diffuse Light Transmission Factor of Reinforced Plastics Panels
D1746 Test Method for Transparency of Plastic Sheeting
D1834 Test Method for 20 Specular Gloss of Waxed Paper
D4039 Test Method for Reflection Haze of High-Gloss Surfaces
D4061 Test Method for Retroreflectance of Horizontal Coatings
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color and Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.03 on Geometry.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2003. Published March 2003. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as E179–96. DOI:
10.1520/E0179-96R03.
Current edition approved July 1, 2012. Published September 2012. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E179 – 96 (2003) which was
withdrawn April 2012 and reinstated in July 2012.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E179 – 12
E97 TestMethodofTestforDirectionalReflectanceFactor,45-deg,0-deg,45-Deg0-Deg,ofOpaqueSpecimensbyBroad-Band
Filter Reflectometry
E167 Practice for Goniophotometry of Objects and Materials
E284 Terminology of Appearance
E429 TestMethodforMeasurementandCalculationofReflectingCharacteristicsofMetallicSurfacesUsingIntegratingSphere
Instruments
E430 Test Methods for Measuremen
...