ASTM D2616-19

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Difference With a Gray Scale

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The total perceived color difference between two non-self-luminous specimens is compared as an equivalent lightness difference between two neutral gray specimens on a gray scale. A fundamental assumption is made that the total color difference can be so evaluated in terms of an equivalent lightness difference. Only the total color differences, that is, a summation of the differences in hue, lightness, and chroma between two specimens is evaluated; this test method is not applicable to the separate precise evaluation of the hue, lightness, and chroma components of color difference.  
5.2 The total color difference determined by this test method depends on the degree of uniformity of the specimens and on the sharpness of the dividing line between them. The color difference between specimens having rough or mottled surfaces appears smaller than it would if the specimens had smooth and uniform surfaces. Thus the equivalent CIELAB lightness difference determined for non-uniform specimens will be smaller than for uniform specimens. Likewise, specimens whose dividing line is not sharp will appear to have smaller color differences than those with sharp dividing lines, and for this reason, the equivalent visually observed CIELAB lightness differences will be smaller than the color differences obtained from instrumental measurements.  
5.2.1 A physically sharp border between colors differing slightly in the yellow-blue direction in color space appears diffuse. The perceived color difference is noticeably increased by a hairline black separation. This technique imposes a more rigorous test of such small differences.  
5.3 In the CIELAB system, a unit of color difference is intended to represent the same visual difference in each of the three attributes; lightness, hue and chroma or alternatively lightness, redness-greenness, yellowness-blueness. It is valid to express color differences that are not simply lightness differences by comparison to a lightness-difference sca...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a painted gray scale and the procedure to be used in the visual evaluation of color differences of non-self luminous materials by comparison to this scale.  
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2019
• ICS: 17.180.20 - Colours and measurement of light
• Technical Committee: E12 - Color and Appearance
• Drafting Committee: E12.11 - Visual Methods

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E3040-15 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Instrumental Color Difference with a Gray Scale
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM E3040-16 - Standard Practice for Evaluation of Instrumental Color Difference with a Gray Scale
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D1735-21 - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Water Fog Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E1499-16(2023) - Standard Guide for Selection, Evaluation, and Training of Observers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM F2157-09(2018) - Standard Specification for Synthetic Surfaced Running Tracks
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D4086-18 - Standard Practice for Visual Evaluation of Metamerism
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D5382-02(2017) - Standard Guide to Evaluation of Optical Properties of Powder Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E3040-22 - Standard Practice for Evaluation of Instrumental Color Difference with a Gray Scale
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D6577-15(2019) - Standard Guide for Testing Industrial Protective Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D870-15(2020) - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Water Immersion
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D279-02(2023) - Standard Test Methods for Bleeding of Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D5031/D5031M-13(2018) - Standard Practice for Enclosed Carbon-Arc Exposure Tests of Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D4587-23 - Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV-Condensation Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D4585/D4585M-18 - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Controlled Condensation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D3451-06(2017) - Standard Guide for Testing Coating Powders and Powder Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D2247-15(2020) - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings in 100 % Relative Humidity
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D6695-16 - Standard Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D3361/D3361M-22 - Standard Practice for Unfiltered Open-Flame Carbon-Arc Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D822/D822M-13(2018) - Standard Practice for Filtered Open-Flame Carbon-Arc Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D1014-18 - Standard Practice for Conducting Exterior Exposure Tests of Paints and Coatings on Metal Substrates
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E1808-96(2021) - Standard Guide for Designing and Conducting Visual Experiments
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D2616 − 19
Standard Test Method for
1
Evaluation of Visual Color Difference With a Gray Scale
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2616; 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 test method was developed to provide a precise procedure for visually evaluating color
difference of non-self luminous specimens. It was patterned after a method standardized by the
2
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) designed to evaluate “change in
color” and this antecedent was reflected in the original title.
This test method provides for evaluation of small to moderate color differences (less than 15
CIELAB (International Commission on Illumination) color difference units) by comparing test
specimens to a series of paired gray color chips having progressively larger lightness differences.
Color difference is evaluated according to which of nine gray pairs of differences is visually closest
to the test pair, or by interpolation between gray-pair differences.
1. Scope Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
E284 Terminology of Appearance
1.1 This test method describes a painted gray scale and the
E1499 Guide for Selection, Evaluation, and Training of
procedure to be used in the visual evaluation of color differ-
Observers
ences of non-self luminous materials by comparison to this
E3040 Practice for Evaluation of Instrumental Color Differ-
scale.
ence with a Gray Scale
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2.2 AATCC Procedures:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1 Gray Scale for Color
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
2
Change
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 Definitions:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.1 Definitions of appearance terms in Terminology E284
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
are applicable to this test method.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4. Summary of Test Method
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 The gray scale consists of nine pairs of neutral gray
color standards of which Reference Pair 5 is two examples of
2. Referenced Documents
the same gray. One element common to each pair is the gray of
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Reference Pair 5; the other element, being progressively
D1729 Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color
lighter, provides a succession of lightness differences. Total
color differences between non-self-luminous specimens are
expressed as either fractional, linear scale value between 1 and
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color
5 by comparison with the paired differences of the gray scale,
and Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.11 on Visual
Methods. which are predominantly lightness differences.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published November 2019. Originally
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D2616 – 12. DOI:
5. Significance and Use
10.1520/D2616-19.
2
5.1 The total perceived color difference between two non-
Technical Manual of the American Association of Textile Chemists and
Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
self-luminous specimens is compared as an equivalent light-
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ness difference between two neutral gray specimens on a gray
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
scale. A fundamental assumption is made that the total color
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. difference can be so evaluated in terms of an equivalent
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2616 − 19
lightness difference. Only the total color differences, that is, a The specimen being compared to the standard should have the
summation of the differences in hue, lightness, and chroma same gloss and surface texture as the standard for max
...

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: D2616 − 12 D2616 − 19
Standard Test Method for
1
Evaluation of Visual Color Difference With a Gray Scale
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2616; 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 test method was developed to provide a precise procedure for visually evaluating color
difference of non-self luminous specimens. It was patterned after a method standardized by the
2
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) designed to evaluate “change in
color” and this antecedent was reflected in the original title.
This test method provides for evaluation of small to moderate color differences (less than 15
CIELAB (International Commission on Illumination) color difference units) by comparing test
specimens to a series of paired gray color chips having progressively larger lightness differences.
Color difference is ratedevaluated according to which of nine gray pairs of differences is visually
closest to the test pair, or by interpolation between gray-pair differences.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes a painted gray scale and the procedure to be used in the visual evaluation of color differences
of non-self luminous materials by comparison to this scale.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1729 Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
E284 Terminology of Appearance
E1729 Practice for Field Collection of Dried Paint Samples for Subsequent Lead Determination
E1499 Guide for Selection, Evaluation, and Training of Observers
E3040 Practice for Evaluation of Instrumental Color Difference with a Gray Scale
2.2 AATCC Procedures:
2
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1 Gray Scale for Color Change
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Definitions of appearance terms in Terminology E284 are applicable to this test method.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The gray scale consists of nine pairs of neutral gray color standards of which Reference Pair 5 is two examples of the same
gray. One element common to each pair is the gray of Reference Pair 5; the other element, being progressively lighter, provides
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color and Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.11 on Visual Methods.
Current edition approved July 1, 2012Nov. 1, 2019. Published September 2012November 2019. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 20032012
as D2616D2616 – 12. – 96 (2003) which was withdrawn April 2012 and reinstated in July 2012. DOI: 10.1520/D2616–12.DOI: 10.1520/D2616-19.
2
Technical Manual of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, Vol 27709.86, 2011, pp. 365–366.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM 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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2616 − 19
a succession of lightness differences. Total color differences between non-self luminous non-self-luminous specimens are
expressed as either fractional, linear scale value between 1 and 5 by comparison with the paired differences of the gray scale, which
are predominantly lightness differences.
NOTE 1—The gray specimen common to each pair is specified to have CIE 1976 metric lightness, L* = 41.2 (+ 0.6, − 0.60).
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The
...