Practice E2387 ASTM Practice for Measuring Haze of High Haze and Translucent Plastics: Applications and Significance in Optical Quality Assessment

ASTM Practice E2387 offers a specialized method for measuring haze in plastics that are highly translucent. When you’re working with materials that scatter a significant amount of light, standard haze testing methods often fall short. This practice addresses this limitation by providing accurate measurements for plastics with haze values exceeding 30%, making it essential for manufacturers developing products like diffusers, privacy screens, and certain packaging materials.

The test works by measuring the amount of light scattered by a plastic sample compared to the total light transmitted. Unlike traditional methods, E2387 accommodates materials where scattered light significantly exceeds direct transmission. You can use these measurements to ensure product consistency, meet customer specifications, and troubleshoot production issues with highly diffusive materials.

Understanding this test helps you evaluate how light interacts with your plastic products. Whether you’re developing LED light diffusers, shower doors, or translucent packaging, accurate haze measurements provide critical data about material performance. The practice also complements other optical tests like transmittance and clarity measurements, giving you a complete picture of your product’s visual properties.

Key Takeaways

• ASTM E2387 accurately measures haze in highly translucent plastics where traditional methods fail.
• The test quantifies light scattering properties critical for quality control in diffusers, privacy screens, and specialized packaging.
• Results from this practice help ensure product consistency and meet specifications for materials with haze values above 30%.

Purpose and Scope of ASTM Practice E2387

ASTM E2387 provides standardized procedures for measuring optical scatter from surfaces. It focuses on determining the bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF), which helps quantify how light interacts with different materials.

Specific Use in Measuring Haze

ASTM E2387 helps you measure how light scatters when it hits a surface. This is crucial for understanding haze properties in translucent materials. The practice specifically measures BSDF (bidirectional scattering distribution function), which tells you exactly how light scatters at different angles.

When you use this method, you can determine both the amount and angular distribution of scattered light. This gives you precise data about a material’s optical properties.

The measurements provide quantitative values that help you compare different materials. You can present these results in several formats, including directional reflectance factor, directional transmittance factor, or differential scattering function.

Industries and Applications

The optical scatter measurements from E2387 are valuable across multiple industries. In manufacturing, you can use these measurements for quality control of transparent and translucent products.

In the automotive and aerospace sectors, you need these measurements to ensure windshields and canopies meet optical clarity standards. The electronics industry relies on them for display screen development.

Computer graphics and rendering professionals use BSDF data to create realistic material appearances in digital environments. The accurate scatter measurements help simulate how light interacts with virtual surfaces.

Architectural glass manufacturers depend on these measurements when developing products with specific light transmission properties. Solar panel developers use them to maximize light capture and minimize unwanted scatter.

Types of Materials Evaluated

You can apply ASTM E2387 to a wide range of materials. The practice works for opaque, translucent, and transparent samples, making it versatile for different testing needs.

The standard covers measurements across ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths. This broad spectrum capability allows you to test materials under different light conditions.

High-haze plastics can be properly evaluated using this method. The practice is particularly useful for materials with complex scattering properties that simple transmission measurements can’t fully characterize.

Other testable materials include coated surfaces, optical films, diffusers, and textured materials. The practice helps you understand how these materials interact with light, which is essential for products where light management is critical.

General Principles Behind Haze Measurement

Haze measurement relies on fundamental optical principles that help quantify how materials scatter light. These measurements provide critical information about material properties and their suitability for specific applications.

Understanding Optical Haze

Haze refers to the percentage of transmitted light that deviates from the incident beam by more than 2.5 degrees due to scattering. This scattering occurs when light encounters particles or structural variations within a material.

The bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF) helps characterize how materials scatter light at different angles. According to ASTM practices, proper measurement requires controlled light sources and precise angular measurement capabilities.

When light hits a plastic surface, it can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted. Haze specifically concerns the transmitted light that scatters rather than passing straight through.

High-haze materials show significant wide-angle scattering, which appears as a milky or cloudy appearance. This property is measured using specialized instruments called haze meters or spectrophotometers with haze measurement capabilities.

Translucency Versus Transparency

Translucency and transparency represent different degrees of light transmission through materials. Transparent materials allow light to pass through with minimal scattering, preserving image clarity.

Translucent materials permit light transmission but cause significant scattering, blurring any images seen through them. The degree of translucency directly correlates with the haze value measured in testing.

You can quantify these properties using the directional transmittance factor, which measures the ratio of transmitted intensity to incident intensity at specific angles.

Materials with higher haze values (typically above 30%) are considered translucent, while those with lower values remain more transparent. This distinction is crucial for applications requiring specific optical properties like diffusers, privacy panels, or light fixtures.

Testing both opaque and transparent samples requires different considerations as noted in the ASTM practice, with specific setup requirements for each material type.

Importance of ASTM E2387 in the Plastics Industry

ASTM E2387 provides crucial standards for measuring optical scatter properties of plastic materials. This testing method helps manufacturers evaluate surface appearance qualities that directly impact consumer perception and product marketability.

Impact on Product Quality

ASTM E2387 testing measures the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF), which describes how light scatters from plastic surfaces. This measurement is essential for evaluating visual characteristics like gloss, haze, and color consistency in plastic products.

For consumer electronics with plastic components, these measurements ensure consistent appearance across production batches. You can use these test results to identify surface imperfections that might affect product aesthetics.

The standard helps you quantify the angular distribution of scattered light, which directly relates to how consumers perceive product quality. High-end plastic components in automotive interiors, for example, require precise optical scatter properties to maintain a premium appearance.

Compliance and Regulatory Relevance

You need to meet specific appearance requirements when manufacturing plastic products for regulated industries. ASTM E2387 provides a standardized method to demonstrate compliance with these requirements.

Many industry specifications reference ASTM E2387 as the accepted testing protocol for appearance characteristics. By following this standard, you ensure your testing methods align with industry expectations.

For international trade, consistent testing methods are critical. ASTM E2387 offers a globally recognized approach that helps you meet export requirements for plastic products.

Regulatory bodies often require documentation of optical properties for certain applications. Your adherence to ASTM E2387 provides credible evidence that your products meet necessary appearance standards.

Applicability to High Haze and Translucent Plastics

Practice E2387 specifically addresses materials with haze values exceeding 30%, where standard haze measurement methods like ASTM D1003 become less effective. This practice provides more accurate evaluation techniques for highly diffusing plastic materials common in lighting, packaging, and architectural applications.

Typical Products and Sample Types

Practice E2387 applies to a wide range of high-haze plastic products where light diffusion is either intentional or an important quality factor. These include:

• Diffuser panels for LED and fluorescent lighting fixtures
• Privacy screens and partitions
• Frosted packaging materials (bottles, containers)
• Translucent building materials (skylights, wall panels)
• Diffusing films for display applications

Sample thicknesses typically range from thin films (0.1mm) to thicker sheets (several mm). The practice accommodates both flat specimens and curved samples with appropriate fixtures, making it versatile for various product geometries.

Material Performance Factors

When evaluating high-haze materials using Practice E2387, several key performance factors are measured:

Light Distribution Properties:

• Total light transmission (important for energy efficiency)
• Diffusion uniformity (critical for lighting applications)
• Glare reduction capabilities

Material Characteristics:

• Consistency across production lots
• Stability after weathering or UV exposure
• Performance after thermal cycling

The practice helps manufacturers optimize the balance between light transmission and diffusion. You can use these measurements to determine if materials will provide the desired visual effects while meeting functional requirements for your specific application.

Test Results and Their Implications

The data obtained from Practice E2387 provides valuable insights into material properties that directly impact product quality and user experience. Proper interpretation of these results guides critical manufacturing and design decisions.

Interpreting Haze Values

Haze values obtained through Practice E2387 typically range from 0% (completely clear) to 100% (completely diffusing). For high-haze plastics, values above 30% indicate significant light diffusion properties.

When interpreting results, you should consider the application requirements. For lighting applications, high haze values (70-90%) often indicate desirable diffusion characteristics that reduce glare and hotspots.

Material thickness significantly affects measurements. Thicker samples generally show higher haze values, so you must note sample dimensions when comparing different materials.

Reporting should include both transmission and haze values for complete characterization. A material with 85% transmission and 60% haze behaves differently than one with 75% transmission and 90% haze.

Influence on Product Development

Haze measurements directly impact design decisions for products requiring specific optical properties. For example, in LED lighting diffusers, you might target 80-90% haze for optimal light distribution.

Manufacturers use E2387 results to:

• Fine-tune material formulations
• Adjust processing conditions
• Ensure batch-to-batch consistency
• Meet customer specifications

During prototype development, you can use haze data to predict visual appearance before committing to full production. This saves time and reduces development costs.

Quality control departments rely on these measurements to establish acceptance criteria. Setting appropriate haze value tolerances (typically ±3-5%) helps maintain consistent product quality while allowing for normal manufacturing variation.

Best Practices for Implementing ASTM E2387

Proper implementation of ASTM E2387 for goniometric optical scatter measurements requires careful attention to sample preparation and measurement techniques. Following established best practices ensures reliable and reproducible results when evaluating the angular distribution of scattered light.

Sample Preparation Considerations

Surface cleanliness is critical for accurate scatter measurements. Remove all dust, fingerprints, and contaminants using appropriate solvents that won’t damage your sample material. For best results, use lint-free wipes and wear powder-free gloves during handling.

Sample mounting must be stable and repeatable. Use fixtures that hold the sample firmly without introducing stress or deformation. Ensure the sample surface is properly aligned with respect to the measurement plane.

Consider the sample’s size and uniformity. The measurement area should be representative of the entire surface. For non-uniform samples, take measurements at multiple positions to characterize variations across the surface.

Document sample history including manufacturing conditions, storage environment, and any pre-treatments applied. These factors can significantly affect scatter properties.

Tips for Accurate Measurements

Calibrate your goniometric system regularly using certified reference materials. This ensures measurement traceability and allows for meaningful comparisons between different laboratories or measurement sessions.

Control environmental conditions during testing. Temperature fluctuations and air currents can affect measurements. Maintain stable room temperature and minimize air movement around the instrument.

Select appropriate measurement parameters:

• Wavelength: Choose wavelengths relevant to the intended application
• Incident angle: Test at angles that match real-world usage conditions
• Angular resolution: Higher resolution reveals finer scatter features

Run multiple measurement scans and calculate statistical averages to improve precision. A minimum of three measurements per sample is recommended.

Document all measurement conditions thoroughly, including instrument settings, ambient conditions, and calibration status. This information is essential for proper interpretation of results.

Comparative Overview of Related Haze Test Methods

Several test methods exist for measuring haze in plastics, each with distinct applications and measurement approaches. Understanding these differences helps you select the most appropriate method for your specific material and requirements.

Differences from ASTM D1003

ASTM D1003 is the traditional standard for measuring haze in transparent plastics, while Practice E2387 focuses on high-haze and translucent materials. D1003 uses an integrating sphere to measure light transmission and typically works best for materials with haze values below 30%.

E2387 employs goniometric optical scatter measurements that capture the bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF). This approach is more effective for materials that scatter light significantly.

The measurement geometry also differs. D1003 measures total forward scattering, while E2387 can measure scatter at specific angles, providing more detailed information about how light interacts with the material.

For high-haze materials like frosted glass or textured plastics, E2387 delivers more accurate and repeatable results than D1003.

Selecting the Right Standard

Choose E2387 when working with highly diffusive materials or when you need detailed angular distribution of scattered light. This is particularly useful for applications in lighting, displays, or specialized optical components.

Select D1003 for transparent or low-haze materials such as clear packaging, optical lenses, or window glazing. It’s simpler to perform and widely accepted in many industries.

Consider your specific requirements:

• Material transparency: <30% haze → D1003; >30% haze → E2387
• Information needed: Basic haze value → D1003; Angular scatter distribution → E2387
• Equipment availability: Integrating sphere → D1003; Goniometer → E2387

Industry standards may also dictate your choice. Automotive and packaging industries typically specify D1003, while optical and lighting industries may prefer E2387’s more detailed information.

Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM E2387 provides specific guidelines for measuring haze in high-haze and translucent plastic materials. The practice addresses key testing parameters, equipment specifications, and result interpretation methods that ensure consistent quality assessment.

What is the ASTM E2387 practice designed to evaluate?

ASTM E2387 is specifically designed to evaluate the haze characteristics of high-haze and translucent plastic materials. The practice quantifies the percentage of transmitted light that deviates from the incident beam by more than 2.5 degrees due to forward scattering.

Unlike other haze measurement standards, E2387 is optimized for materials with haze values exceeding 30%. This makes it particularly valuable for evaluating diffusing materials, privacy screens, and light-diffusing elements.

The practice helps manufacturers determine if plastic materials meet specific optical requirements for applications where controlled light diffusion is necessary.

How is the ASTM E2387 haze measurement test performed and which industry standards does it comply with?

The test uses a specialized hazemeter or spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere configuration. You place the plastic specimen in the instrument’s sample port, where a light beam passes through it.

The instrument measures four values: total transmitted light, directly transmitted light, light scattered by the instrument, and light scattered by both the specimen and instrument. These measurements allow for calculation of the specimen’s haze percentage.

E2387 complies with broader optical testing standards including ASTM D1003 but provides specialized procedures for high-haze materials. It also aligns with ISO 14782 for transparency and haze measurements in plastics.

The test requires calibration using standards of known haze values to ensure measurement accuracy.

What is the significance of haze and translucency testing for plastic materials in the manufacturing industry?

Haze testing directly impacts product function and marketability in numerous applications. For lighting components, precise haze measurements ensure optimal light diffusion while maintaining necessary light transmission efficiency.

In packaging applications, controlled haze levels affect product visibility while providing UV protection or privacy features. Manufacturers use these measurements to balance competing requirements.

The test results help you meet regulatory requirements for specific applications, especially in automotive, medical device, and consumer electronics industries where optical properties are strictly regulated.

Consistent haze testing allows for better quality control during production and helps identify potential issues in manufacturing processes that affect optical properties.

Could you identify which materials or products are most commonly subjected to the ASTM E2387 test for haze measurements?

Diffusing sheets for LED lighting fixtures are frequently tested using E2387. These materials require precise light scattering properties to eliminate hot spots while maximizing light output.

Privacy glazing for architectural applications and automotive windows undergoes haze testing to ensure the right balance between privacy and light transmission. E2387 is particularly suitable for these high-haze materials.

Medical device packaging with controlled transparency requirements is commonly tested. These materials must maintain visibility while providing specific diffusion properties.

Light management films for displays, including anti-glare screens and diffusers, are also regularly evaluated using this practice.

What are the general scientific principles that underlie the ASTM E2387 test for measuring the haze of plastics?

The test relies on Rayleigh and Mie scattering principles, which describe how light interacts with particles and structural irregularities in materials. These interactions cause light to deviate from its original path.

The integrating sphere technology captures scattered light by reflecting it multiple times off a highly reflective interior surface. This allows for accurate measurement of scattered versus directly transmitted light.

Haze percentage is calculated using the ratio of diffusely transmitted light to total transmitted light. The mathematical formula accounts for instrument-specific factors that might affect measurements.

The practice considers both surface scattering and volume scattering effects, recognizing that haze can result from both surface roughness and internal material structure.

In what ways do the results of the ASTM E2387 haze and translucency test impact product quality and consumer perception?

Products with precisely controlled haze properties deliver consistent visual experiences to end users. This consistency is essential for brand identity and perceived quality in consumer products.

For automotive and architectural applications, haze measurements directly correlate with safety performance. Too little haze might cause glare issues, while excessive haze could reduce visibility in critical situations.

In medical and pharmaceutical packaging, haze values affect the ability to inspect contents visually. You need the right balance between protection and visibility for product integrity verification.

Electronic display manufacturers use haze data to optimize screen readability under various lighting conditions. The right haze values reduce glare while maintaining image clarity and contrast.