Granulat-Pellets

 

Color measurement of granules and pellets, colored and translucent

 

Free-flowing pellets, granules and irregular bulk materials are an important part of the plastics manufacturing process. Plastics processing companies rely on a uniform supply of plastic granules in order to then process them further in extrusion.


The raw granulate is an irregular, colorless and possibly translucent sample that is tested before it is mixed with color additives. The colored masterbatches or compounds are then also measured. HunterLab offers the perfect quality assurance support for this application with precise measurement technology and suitable accessories for inhomogeneous samples.

Our solutions for your products:

Act

Color measurement “as the eye sees”

    Precise spectrophotometer with 10 nm resolutionLarge measurement aperture up to 51 mm0°/45° measurement geometry Intelligent user interface and data managementIntegrated EasyMatch Essentials quality control software with pre-installed color scales and indices
Find out more about the Agera. Request a quote!

Eros

Laboratory device with the world's largest measuring surface

    Rotating sample platform with 35 measurements per revolution, resulting measuring area approximately 177 square centimeters (unique in laboratory systems worldwide)Intelligent sensor technology with automatic height positioningNon-contact measurement eliminates errors in sample preparation and reduces cleaning effort after measurementIntelligent user interface and data managementIntegrated EasyMatch Essentials quality control software - no PC required
Find out more about the Eros. Request a quote!

Application example "Color measurement of plastic pellets with the Agera - release analysis"

Reliable release analysis in the production of plastic granules is important to ensure consistent color quality of the end product. It is helpful to define the correlation between the color of the granules and the extruded color sample plates as precisely as possible so that the number of necessary extrusions can be reduced. A spectrophotometer that can measure both pellets and platelets makes sense. Of course, the measuring process should be as simple as possible and not stop the workflow.

The task

Since pellets have a non-uniform surface, as large a surface as possible must be examined during color measurement or it must be possible to easily average multiple measurements. You would also like to use the same device to examine the extruded sample plates. It is therefore desirable to have an uncomplicated measurement of both granules and platelets so that the color values L*, a* and b* as well as the yellowness index YI, which is usual for translucent granules, can be determined directly.

The solution

The Agera has a relatively large measuring opening (51 mm) with the cuvette aperture, which means that a relatively large surface area of the granules can be measured through the bottom of a glass cuvette. If this is not enough for repeatable measurements, you can easily set up an automated average calculation. The color measurement of the extruded sample plates can be carried out on the same instrument with the standard aperture. This allows you to define the relationship between the color of the pellets and the platelets in the application and thus minimize the frequency of extrusions.


The measurement – very simple

    Place the sample on the aperture or place it in a glass cuvette on the aperture. Trigger the measurement. Read the measured values on the screen


The accessories

    64 mm Glascuit Tubtenblende


Talk to us, we will be happy to advise you!

Application example “Color measurement of plastic pellets with the Eros – routine analysis”

Quick routine analysis in the production of plastic granules is important in order to identify early in the process whether the color of the product is correct. Particularly with translucent granules, close attention is paid to the degree of yellowness (yellowness index YI). This allows you to intervene in the process in good time to ensure the correct color of the end product. Because of the non-uniform surface of the pellets, it is important to measure as large a surface as possible. Of course, the measuring process should be as simple as possible and not hold up the production process.

The task

Since pellets have a non-uniform surface, as large a surface as possible must be examined when measuring the color. When measuring normally across the bottom of a glass cuvette, this area is usually not large enough to obtain repeatable measurements. That's why you have to average over several individual measurements for smaller measuring areas. An uncomplicated measurement of as large a surface as possible is therefore desirable. In addition to the color values L*, a* and b*, the industry-standard yellowness index should also be determined directly.

The solution

HunterLab specifically recommends non-contact color measurement with the Eros spectrophotometer for the color measurement of plastic pellets. The Aero's sensor is located eccentrically above the edge of a bowl with which a large amount of pellets can be stored, e.g. B. can be easily scooped. During the measurement, the device automatically sets the correct height above the sample and the bowl rotates once under the sensor. 35 measuring flashes are triggered in five seconds and averaged to produce the result. This means that a measuring area of approx. 177 cm2 is evaluated in a single process, which means that this measurement corresponds to approx. 20 conventional individual measurements in a cuvette and is therefore very representative. The device then gives the color values and the desired indices, such as: B. also the Yellowness Index, directly on the integrated touchscreen.


The measurement – very simple

    Fill the pellets into the bowl. Place the bowl on the turntable. Trigger the measurement by pressing a button. Read the values on the screen after 5 seconds


Any questions? Talk to us, we will be happy to advise you.

Further information for you on the topic:

Measuring method Color measurement of plastic granules

Aeros Broschüre

Agera brochure

Would you like to find out more about measuring granules and pellets?

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