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    ASTM D2457 - 13

    Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics

    Active Standard ASTM D2457 | Developed by Subcommittee: D20.40

    Book of Standards Volume: 08.01

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    Significance and Use

    4.1 Specular gloss is used primarily as a measure of the shiny appearance of films and surfaces. Precise comparisons of gloss values are meaningful only when they refer to the same measurement procedure and same general type of material. In particular, gloss values for transparent films should not be compared with those for opaque films, and vice versa. Gloss is a complex attribute of a surface which cannot be completely measured by any single number.

    4.2 Specular gloss usually varies with surface smoothness and flatness. It is sometimes used for comparative measurements of these surface properties.

    1. Scope

    1.1 This test method describes procedures for the measurement of gloss of plastic films and solid plastics, both opaque and transparent. It contains four separate gloss angles (Note 1):

    1.1.1 60-deg, recommended for intermediate-gloss films,

    1.1.2 20-deg, recommended for high-gloss films,

    1.1.3 45-deg, recommended for intermediate and low-gloss films,

    1.1.4 85-deg, recommended for intermediate and low gloss films, and

    1.1.5 75-deg, recommended for plastic siding and soffit.

    Note 1—The 85-deg, 75-deg, 60-deg, and 20-deg apparatus and method of measurement duplicate those in Test Method D523 and D3679; those for the 45° procedure are similarly taken from Test Method C346.

    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.

    Note 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.


    2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

    ASTM Standards

    C346 Test Method for 45-deg Specular Gloss of Ceramic Materials

    D523 Test Method for Specular Gloss

    D3679 Specification for Rigid Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Siding

    E284 Terminology of Appearance

    E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

    E1347 Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Measurement by Tristimulus Colorimetry

    E1349 Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by Spectrophotometry Using Bidirectional (45:0 or 0:45) Geometry

    ICS Code

    ICS Number Code 83.140.10 (Films and sheets)

    UNSPSC Code

    UNSPSC Code 13111200(Films)

    Referencing This Standard
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    DOI: 10.1520/D2457-13

    Citation Format

    ASTM D2457-13, Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2013, www.astm.org

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