Haze and Transmittance Testing of Transparent Plastics

For transparent and translucent plastics, clarity is critical. Whether used in packaging, automotive components, medical devices, or optical applications, poor optical performance can lead to reduced product quality, customer dissatisfaction, and failure to meet specifications.

Issues such as haze, cloudiness, or reduced light transmission can affect both appearance and functionality, particularly where visibility or light performance is essential.

Haze and transmittance testing provides objective, quantitative data on optical properties, helping you ensure your materials meet performance and aesthetic requirements.

What Haze and Transmittance Testing Involves

Haze and transmittance testing evaluates how light passes through a material and how much of that light is scattered.

• Haze measures the percentage of light that is scattered as it passes through a material, causing a cloudy or milky appearance
• Total transmittance measures the total amount of light that passes through the material

The relevant standards include:

• ASTM D1003 for haze and luminous transmittance of transparent plastics
• ISO 14782 for haze measurement using integrating sphere methods
• ISO 13468-1 for determining total light transmittance

These methods provide reliable, standardised data for comparing materials and ensuring consistency.

Methodology

At Impact Solutions, haze and transmittance testing is carried out using calibrated haze meters and spectrophotometric equipment in controlled conditions.

A typical testing programme includes:

1. Preparation of flat, clean specimens with defined thickness.
2. Calibration of the instrument using standard references.
3. Measurement of total light transmittance.
4. Measurement of diffused light to calculate haze.
5. Calculation of haze percentage and transmittance values.
6. Comparison against specifications or reference materials.
7. Detailed reporting with clear numerical results and interpretation.

Testing conditions are carefully controlled to ensure repeatability and accuracy.

Relevant Industry Applications

Haze and transmittance testing is widely used for:

• Packaging films and rigid plastics
• Automotive glazing and interior components
• Medical and healthcare plastics
• Optical and display materials
• Consumer products and appliances
• Sheet, film, and moulded transparent parts

Benefits of Haze and Transmittance Testing

• Provides objective measurement of optical clarity
• Supports product development and material selection
• Ensures consistency in appearance and performance
• Enables comparison between materials and suppliers
• Helps detect defects or processing issues
• Supports compliance with industry standards

Call to Action

Need to ensure your materials meet clarity and optical performance requirements?

Contact Impact Solutions to discuss haze and transmittance testing using ASTM and ISO standards and ensure consistent product quality.

FAQ

Q: What is considered a good haze value?
Lower haze values indicate clearer materials. Acceptable levels depend on the application and product requirements.

Q: Can thickness affect results?
Yes. Material thickness can influence both haze and transmittance, so consistent sample preparation is important.

Q: What is the difference between haze and transmittance?
Transmittance measures how much light passes through a material, while haze measures how much of that light is scattered.

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