Investigation of colour consistency in acrylic sheet products

Abstract

Purpose

To identify the causes to the variation of shade of coloured acrylic sheets from one batch to another and to propose solution to alleviate such a phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

A number of analytical techniques, including spectrophotometric measurement, evaluation of dispersion stability, pigment particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, were employed to assess the degree of colour shade variation, the degree of dispersion and nature of the particles within the acrylic sheet formulations and the acrylic sheet products.

Findings

It was found that the variation of shade of the coloured acrylic sheets from one batch to another was mainly caused by the lack of dispersion stability of the pigment particles concerned over time.

Practical implications

The investigation found solutions to the variation of shade of the coloured acrylic sheets from one batch to another.

Originality/value

Colour and colour consistency are a key attribute of the coloured acrylic sheets. Although not frequently encountered, such imperfections were undesirable. The investigation identified the causes to such imperfections and found a way to eliminate such imperfections.

Citation

Jiang, X., Lin, L., Bai, X. and Gu, J. (2007), "Investigation of colour consistency in acrylic sheet products", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 36 No. 3, pp. 153-160. https://doi.org/10.1108/03699420710749018