TS7700 Spectrophotometer Empowers Color Difference Detection for Artificial Turf Fibers

Have you ever encountered this frustration in the daily production and purchase of artificial turf? After laying artificial turf of the same batch on a field, it shows uneven colors under sunlight, creating an unsightly "patchy" effect. This not only affects aesthetics but may also compromise the user experience. Today, we will delve into how to completely solve the color difference problem of artificial turf fibers through a scientific testing solution.

I. Why Does Color Difference Occur in Artificial Turf?

Color consistency of artificial turf fibers is a crucial indicator for measuring product quality. Color difference issues typically arise from several aspects: different batches of raw materials, fluctuations in production process parameters, and improper control of dyeing temperature and time. These factors can lead to subtle color variations in turf fibers, which in turn affect the overall visual effect.

To accurately evaluate the color consistency of artificial turf fibers and ensure that the product appearance quality meets standards, it is necessary to establish a scientific and systematic color testing program to meet the market's demand for uniform color of artificial turf.

II. Professional Testing Equipment: Precisely Capturing Color Differences

1. Spectrophotometer

The spectrophotometer is the core equipment for artificial turf color detection, capable of accurately capturing color data of turf fibers. A professional spectrophotometer can measure CIELAB color space values, where the L value represents lightness, the a value represents the red-green axis, and the b value represents the yellow-blue axis.

A recommended model on the market is the 3NH TS7700 Spectrophotometer, which adopts grating spectroscopy technology with an optical resolution of less than 10 nm in the visible light range. It can accurately measure SCI and SCE reflectance data of samples/fluorescent samples. The instrument is equipped with a variety of measuring apertures to meet the testing needs of different turf fiber samples.

2. Standard Light Box

Human vision can produce differences in color judgment due to varying lighting conditions. A standard light box provides multiple standard light sources such as D65 (simulating daylight) and A (simulating tungsten lamp), ensuring observation and comparison under unified lighting conditions and eliminating the interference of ambient light on color judgment.

For example, the 3NH P60 Standard Color Assessment Cabinet is configured with six light sources: D65, TL84, CWF, F, UV, and U30. It complies with international standards such as ISO 3664 and ASTM D1729, providing unified conditions for visual color evaluation.

III. Scientific Sampling: Ensuring the Representativeness of Test Samples

Accurate test results are based on scientific sampling. For the color difference detection of artificial turf fibers, sampling should be carried out in accordance with relevant sampling standards such as GB/T 2828.1 based on the batch size.

The sampling principle is to ensure that the selected samples are representative. For large-scale production batches, a combination of stratified sampling and random sampling can be adopted. A minimum number of turf fiber samples should be extracted from each batch, and an appropriate length of sample should be cut from the middle of each bundle of turf fibers as an individual test sample. If the turf fibers have different color formulations or production process stages, separate sampling is required for each stage.

IV. Standard Testing Environment: Eliminating Interfering Factors

Temperature and humidity are important factors affecting color detection. The testing environment should be controlled at 23°C ± 2°C, as excessively high or low temperatures may affect the material properties of turf fibers and the visual perception of color. At the same time, humidity should be maintained at 50% ± 5% to avoid turf fiber moisture absorption, discoloration, or gloss changes caused by humidity differences, which may interfere with color difference judgment.

Lighting conditions also need to be strictly controlled. Testing should be conducted in a standard light box to ensure uniform light intensity inside the box, no obvious light and shadow or glare, and to avoid direct external light during the testing process.

V. Testing Steps: A Scientific and Rigorous Operation Process

1. Instrument Calibration: Turn on the spectrophotometer and calibrate it with a standard white plate in accordance with the instrument operation manual to ensure the accuracy of instrument measurement.

2. Sample Preparation: Gently wipe the extracted turf fiber samples with a clean soft cloth to remove surface dust and impurities, avoiding their impact on color measurement.

3. Measurement Operation: Use the spectrophotometer to measure the turf fiber samples. Select measurement points at both ends and the middle of the turf fiber samples, and record the CIELAB color space values of each point respectively.

4. Color Difference Calculation: Compare the measured CIELAB color space values with the standard color values set for the batch, and calculate the color difference value according to the color difference formula: ΔE = √[(ΔL)² + (Δa)² + (Δb)²].

VI. Color Difference Judgment Standards: Formulating a Reasonable Range Based on Application

The allowable color difference range for artificial turf products varies according to their intended use.

For example, for high-end sports field artificial turf, the requirement is ΔE ≤ 0.8; for general landscape decoration turf, ΔE ≤ 1.5 can be regarded as qualified.

If the calculated color difference value exceeds the allowable range, the batch of turf fibers is judged to be unqualified in color difference, which needs to be marked and isolated, and the production department shall be notified to analyze the cause.

VII. Establishing a Comprehensive Quality Management System

To ensure the color consistency of artificial turf products, in addition to strict testing, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive quality management system:

· First Article Inspection: Conduct color difference detection on the first batch of produced turf fibers at the start of each batch production.

· In-Process Inspection: Conduct regular sampling inspections during the production process.

· Finished Product Sampling Inspection: Conduct a final sampling inspection on finished product batches before product packaging and warehousing.

At the same time, when unqualified color difference is detected, the subsequent production of the batch of turf fibers should be stopped immediately, and the quality, production, technology and other departments should be organized to jointly analyze the causes of color difference and take corresponding measures.

Conclusion

Through a scientific and systematic color testing program, artificial turf manufacturers can effectively control product color difference, and improve product quality and market competitiveness. Precision testing equipment, scientific sampling methods, standard testing environments, and rigorous operation processes together constitute the four-fold guarantee for ensuring the color consistency of artificial turf.

Color consistency is not only a reflection of product quality but also a display of an enterprise's professional image. Only by strictly controlling color difference can artificial turf products present the best visual effect in various application scenarios.