ASTM E3040-22

Standard Practice for Evaluation of Instrumental Color Difference with a Gray Scale

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The gray scale grade GSC is useful to evaluate the color difference of any pair of colors that have been subjected to a test whose severity of result is nominated by color difference of the treated member to the untreated member. This includes, but is not limited to, scrub tests, exterior exposures, crocking tests, blocking tests, certain abrasion tests, and color transfer tests.  
5.2 A major advantage of the instrumental method of obtaining gray scale grades is that under the visual method substantial screening and training of the operators in visual color assessment is required. No such burden is placed on the operators in this instrumental method.  
5.3 The method is usually not used for staining tests which have their own gray scale for staining.
SCOPE
1.1 Test Method D2616 describes a painted gray scale and the procedure to be used in the visual evaluation of color differences on non-self-luminous materials by comparison to this scale. This practice provides an alternative method of obtaining a similarly valued result by an instrumental method.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard, except that the test results of this test method are converted by the calculations to an arbitrary visual scale defined by Test Method D2616, whose units are called GSC (Gray Scale for Change in Color).  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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-May-2022
• ICS: 17.180.20 - Colours and measurement of light
• Technical Committee: E12 - Color and Appearance
• Drafting Committee: E12.04 - Color and Appearance Analysis

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: E3040 − 22
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Instrumental Color Difference with a Gray
1
Scale
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3040; 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.
1. Scope E308 PracticeforComputingtheColorsofObjectsbyUsing
the CIE System
1.1 Test Method D2616 describes a painted gray scale and
E1164 PracticeforObtainingSpectrometricDataforObject-
the procedure to be used in the visual evaluation of color
Color Evaluation
differences on non-self-luminous materials by comparison to
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
this scale. This practice provides an alternative method of
ISO 105-A05 Textiles—Tests for Colorfastness—Part A05
obtaining a similarly valued result by an instrumental method.
Instrumental assessment of change in colour for determi-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
nation of grey scale rating
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4
2.3 AATCC Standards:
standard, except that the test results of this test method are
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 7 InstrumentalAssessment of
converted by the calculations to an arbitrary visual scale
the Change in Color of a Test Specimen
defined by Test Method D2616, whose units are called GS
5
C
2.4 JIS Standards:
(Gray Scale for Change in Color).
JIS L 0809 Instrumental determination of colour fastness —
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Change in colour and staining
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3. Terminology
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1 Definitions:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.1 Definitions of appearance terms in Terminology E284
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
are applicable to this test method.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2.1 color change, n—a change in color of any kind
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
whether in lightness, hue, or chroma or any combination of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
these, discernible by comparing the test specimen with a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
corresponding untested specimen.
3.2.2 gray scale grade, GS , n—for color change, the
2. Referenced Documents C
numerical value that is assigned to the change in color of a test
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specimen as compared to an original or untreated specimen.
D2244 Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and
Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color
4. Summary of Test Method
Coordinates
4.1 Thecolorofaspecimenthathasbeensubmittedtoatest
D2616 Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Differ-
whoseseverityisevaluatedbychangeincolor,andanidentical
ence With a Gray Scale
untreated specimen, are measured spectrophotometrically and
E284 Terminology of Appearance
both of their colors evaluated by conventional means. The
conventional color difference attributes are converted to a Gray
1 Scale for Color Change by a series of calculations.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color and
Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.04 on Color and
Appearance Analysis.
3
Current edition approved June 1, 2022. Published June 2022. Originally Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E3040 – 18. DOI: 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
10.1520/E3040-22. Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, http://
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM www.aatcc.org.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Japanese StandardsAssociation (JSA), Mita MTBldg., 3-13-12
the ASTM website. Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0073, Japan, http://www.jsa.or.jp.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
1

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E3040 − 22
4.2 This p
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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: E3040 − 18 E3040 − 22
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Instrumental Color Difference with a Gray
1
Scale
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3040; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 Test Method D2616 describes a painted gray scale and the procedure to be used in the visual evaluation of color differences
on non-self-luminous materials by comparison to this scale. This practice provides an alternative method of obtaining a similarly
valued result by an instrumental method.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard, except
that the test results of this test method are converted by the calculations to an arbitrary visual scale defined by Test Method D2616,
whose units are called GS (Gray Scale for Change in Color).
C
1.3 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.
1.4 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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2244 Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
D2616 Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Difference With a Gray Scale
E284 Terminology of Appearance
E308 Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by Using the CIE System
E1164 Practice for Obtaining Spectrometric Data for Object-Color Evaluation
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 105-A05 Textiles—Tests for Colorfastness—Part A05 Instrumental assessment of change in colour for determination of
grey scale rating
4
2.3 AATCC Standards:
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 7 Instrumental Assessment of the Change in Color of a Test Specimen
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color and Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.04 on Color and
Appearance Analysis.
Current edition approved March 1, 2018June 1, 2022. Published April 2018June 2022. Originally approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 20162018 as
E3040E3040 – 18. – 16. DOI: 10.1520/E3040-18.10.1520/E3040-22.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, http://www.aatcc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E3040 − 22
5
2.4 JIS Standards:
JIS L 0809 Instrumental determination of colour fastness — Change in colour and staining
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Definitions of appearance terms in Terminology E284 are applicable to this test method.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 color change, n—a change in color of any kind whether in lightness, hue, or chroma or any combination of these, discernible
by comparing the test specimen with a corresponding untested specimen.
3.2.2 gray scale grade, GS , n—for color change, the numerical value that is assigned to the change in color of a test specimen
C
as compared to an original or untreated specimen.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The color of a specimen that has been submitted to a test whose severity is evaluated by change in color, and an identical
untreated specimen, are measured spectrophotometrically and both of their colors evaluated by conventional means. The
conventional color difference attributes are converted
...