ASTM E1347: Tristimulus Color Testing — Method & Laboratory Guide

Color consistency is a critical quality attribute for products across the paints and coatings, plastics, textiles, food packaging, ceramics, and automotive industries. ASTM E1347 provides a standardized method for measuring color coordinates and color differences using tristimulus colorimetry—enabling manufacturers to quantify, communicate, and control color with precision and repeatability. For companies seeking color measurement testing at a USA-based ASTM testing lab, Infinita Lab provides accredited colorimetric analysis through its nationwide laboratory network.

What Is ASTM E1347?

ASTM E1347 is a standard test method for measuring color and color differences of non-fluorescent, planar specimens using a tristimulus colorimeter (also called a filter colorimeter or color-difference meter). The standard covers measurement by reflected or transmitted light using hemispherical (integrating sphere) or bidirectional (45:0 or 0:45) optical geometry. Results are expressed in CIE color coordinates (L*, a*, b) and color difference values (ΔE).

How Tristimulus Colorimetry Works

Tristimulus colorimeters use optical filters that approximate the three color-matching functions of human vision (red, green, blue responses). When light reflected from or transmitted through a specimen passes through these filters, the instrument produces three numerical values (X, Y, Z tristimulus values) that define the specimen’s color. These values are converted to CIE Lab* coordinates for intuitive color description: L* (lightness), a* (red-green axis), and b* (yellow-blue axis).

Key Requirements and Limitations

ASTM E1347 requires that when measuring color differences, both specimens must have similar spectral characteristics (non-metameric, non-parametric pairs), because tristimulus colorimeters cannot detect metamerism. When absolute color coordinates are needed, the instrument must be standardized using a reference standard with similar spectral properties to the specimen. The standard applies to non-fluorescent, planar specimens of all gloss levels.

Industry Applications

ASTM E1347 serves quality control in the paint, coatings, and plastics industries for color matching and batch consistency, textile color grading and lot acceptance, food and pharmaceutical packaging appearance specification, automotive paint qualification and supplier approval, ceramic and glass color standardization, and printing ink color control.

Related ASTM Color Standards

ASTM E308 covers computing tristimulus values from spectral data. ASTM D2244 covers calculating color differences from instrumental data. ASTM E1164 covers spectrophotometric color measurement. Together with E1347, these standards form a comprehensive framework for industrial color quality management.

Why Choose Infinita Lab for Color Measurement Testing?

Infinita Lab is a leading provider of Color Measurement Testing and streamlined material testing services, addressing the critical challenges faced by emerging businesses and established enterprises. With access to a vast network of over 2,000+ accredited partner labs across the United States, Infinita Lab ensures rapid, accurate, and cost-effective testing solutions. The company’s unique value proposition includes comprehensive project management, confidentiality assurance, and seamless communication through a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) model. By eliminating inefficiencies in traditional material testing workflows, Infinita Lab accelerates research and development (R&D) processes.

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