What Does
Gloss Meter Mean?
A gloss meter is a gloss-measuring instrument which is used to measure specular reflection gloss of a surface. Specular reflection has a direct relationship between the ratios of incident light and reflected light, and has been used as the basis for standardizing and measuring gloss values.
The gloss meter is used by many industries, from paper mills to automotive, and is used at each stage of the manufacturing process in quality control to measure the gloss of products to ensure consistency in manufacturing processes.
A gloss meter is also known as a glossmeter.
Corrosionpedia Explains Gloss Meter
Gloss is determined using a gloss meter, which directs a light at a specific angle to the test surface and simultaneously measures the amount of reflection. There are numerous international standards that define the methodology and technical specifications of gloss meters for measurement on different types of materials.
The light intensity is dependent on the material and the angle of illumination. There are a number of different geometries available for gloss measurement, each being dependent on the type of surface to be measured. There are three types that cover the complete range of gloss, namely the 20-degree, the 60-degree and the 85-degree gloss meters. Certain industries, however, suggest a different angle, like the paper, ceramic, film and vinyl industries.
Metals have a much higher reflection and are less angle dependent than nonmetals. For nonmetals such as coatings and plastics, the amount of reflected light increases with a greater angle of illumination, as some of the light penetrates the surface material and is absorbed into it or diffusely scattered from it, depending on its color.
Many industries measure gloss to ensure the quality of their products. It has been shown that the gloss level of a product has as much psychological impact on a consumer as its color. Many products are designed with combinations of high-gloss and matte finishes, maximizing their customer appeal.