What is needed for color measurement of opaque liquids?

Opaque liquids are substances where light is not transmitted but absorbed or reflected off the surface. The samples can be measured with the same principle as a solid, but some type of transparent container is needed. What type of holder depends on the sample; for example samples that can be dissolved with water are best measured in a reusable glass cuvette. But for a lot of liquids (like chemical liquids) it is more practical and ecological to use disposable cells. Also the viscosity determines how the samples are prepared and what types of cuvettes are used.

Paints with a low viscosity can be poured in disposable 10 mm plastic cells and measured using our CA10 cell holder. Liquids with a high viscosity must be measured in plastic disposable petri dishes.

Also the homogeneity of the sample determines which spectrophotometer and accessories are needed. Opaque liquids with an irregular colour should be measured using the MA38 adapter. Samples are then measured in a large glass cuvette or in plastic disposable petri dishes.

For most applications a spectrophotometer with the normal 45°/0° probe head is advisable. In rough environments it may be better to use a 45°/0° -IP67 (waterproof) probe head will offer improved protection.

NOTE:

If results are to be compared to a device with a d/8° geometry it is advisable to use a d/8° adapter MA35-UK or d/8° probe head.

How to work with the spectrophotometer?

The liquids are poured into one of the above-mentioned containers and placed obove the probe head. To prevent ambient light affecting the repeatability the sample is covered with the supplied lightproof cap.

Inhomogeneous samples must be scanned at least 5 times, whereby the sample has to be taken new for each scan.

The color measurement is then started by pressing the enter key on the spectrophotometer or from the PC software ColorDaTra Professional.