ASTM D2616-96
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Difference With a Gray Scale
Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Difference With a Gray Scale
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D2616–96
Standard Test Method for
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.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) 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
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 rated according to which of nine gray pairs of differences is visually closest to the
test pair, or by interpolation between gray-pair differences.
The gray-scale pairs are specified in terms of decimal differences in CIELAB color space. This
change together with two continuous, decimal numerical scale equations modeling the original scale
comprisethemajordifferencesbetweenthepreviouseditionandthisrevision.Thechangesweremade
to provide an ASTM test method that parallels closely the AATCC method.
1. Scope 2.2 AATCC Procedures:
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1, Gray Scale for Color
1.1 This test method describes a painted gray scale and the
Change
procedure to be used in the visual evaluation of color differ-
ences of non-self luminous materials by comparison to this
3. Terminology
scale.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 DefinitionsofappearancetermsinTerminologyE284
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
are applicable to this test method.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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
thesamegray.Oneelementcommontoeachpairisthegrayof
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3 Reference Pair 5; the other element, being progressively
E 284 Terminology of Appearance
lighter, provides a succession of lightness differences. Total
D 1729 Practice for Visual Evaluation of Color Differences
3 color differences between non-self luminous specimens are
of Opaque Materials
expressed as either fractional, linear scale value between 1 and
E 1499 Guide to Selection, Evaluation and Training of
3 5 or as equivalent CIELAB color differences (DE* )by
ab
Observers
comparisonwiththepaireddifferencesofthegrayscale,which
are predominantly lightness differences.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-12 on
NOTE 1—The gray specimen common to each pair is specified to have
Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.11 on Visual
CIE 1976 metric lightness, L* 541.2(+0.6,−0.0).
Methods.
Current edition approved March 10, 1996. Published May 1996. Originally
5. Significance and Use
published as D2616–67. Last previous edition D2616–94.
Technical Manual of the American Association of Textile Chemists and
5.1 The total perceived color difference between two non-
Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, Vol 68, 1993, pp.
selfluminousspecimensiscomparedasanequivalentlightness
348–349.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01. differencebetweentwoneutralgrayspecimensonagrayscale.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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.
D2616
A fundamental assumption is made that the total color differ- 6.2 Gray Masks—Light gray masks with rectangular open-
ence can be so evaluated in terms of an equivalent lightness ings shall be used to ensure comparison of equal areas of
difference.Onlythetotalcolordifferences,thatis,asummation specimen and reference pairs. Masks are included with each
of the differences in hue, lightness, and chroma between two AATCC gray-scale chart.
specimensisevaluated;thistestmethodisnotapplicabletothe 6.3 Color Matching Light Booth—SeePracticeD1729fora
separate precise evaluation of the hue, lightness, and chroma description of an appropriate color-matching light booth for
components of color difference. use in visual evaluation of color differences.
7. Preparation of Specimens
TABLE 1 Gray Scale Characteristics
7.1 Specimens shall be uniform in color and gloss and shall
CIELAB (DE*)
AATCC Step
be free of scratches and other imperfections of surface texture.
Designations
Color Difference Tolerance(6)
The specimen being compared to the standard should have the
5.0 0.0 0.2
same gloss and surface texture as the standard for maximum
4.5 0.8 0.2
precision of color differences determination.
4.0 1.7 0.3
3.5 2.5 0.3
8. Procedure
3.0 3.4 0.4
2.5 4.8 0.5
8.1 Illumination and Viewing:
2.0 6.8 0.6
8.1.1 Placethespecimensandthepairedgray-scalechartsin
1.5 9.6 0.7
1.0 13.6 1.0
the same plane on a horizontal surface with a neutral back-
ground (middle gray to white) under the prescribed light
source. The light source shall be daylight or a daylight
5.2 Thetotalcolordifferencedeterminedbythistestmethod
simulator,forexampleacolor-matchinglightbooth.Makesure
depends on the degree of uniformity of the specimens and on
that the specimen pairs whose color differences are to be
the sharpness of the dividing line between them. The color
evaluatedarejuxtaposedasarethereferencepairs,sothatthere
difference between specimens having rough or mottled sur-
is no space between the elements of a pair. It is also desirable
faces appears smaller than it would if the specimens had
to locate the specimen pairs immediately adjacent to the
smooth an
...
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