Metamerism 101:
When brown is green and red is blueBy Jeff Lewis, Laboratory Manager
Have you ever awakened in the morning and, in the warm glow of your tungsten-lit bedroom, put on a pair of brown socks – then when you reach the cold, fluorescent light of the office, you realize that you are actually wearing one brown and one green sock?
You have just become the victim of metamerism and if you are a colorist by profession, it is worth a trip back home to change. While it is an embarrassing situation, in certain commercial applications it can be costly as well.
Metamerism (also called paramerism, but for practical purposes, we will stick to the more common and accepted meta prefix), can be defined as occurring when a pair of objects appear to match under one set of conditions and fail to match under alternate conditions. There are three types of metamerism: illuminant, observer and geometric. Observer and geometric metamerism are rarely encountered in industry, so we will focus on illuminant metamerism in this article.
It must be understood that color is a perception (sensation), not an intrinsic quality of an object. Without going into a full color course, the color we perceive is the result of light interacting with and being modified by an object. This modified light is then reflected or transmitted to an observer who then interprets the results. This interpretation is what we call color.
The object’s contribution to the color is restricted to its absorption of specific wavelengths of light. The ‘color’ we perceive is what remains—the reflected light. Since what’s left is the combination of the light and the object, we are only subjected to the combined stimuli.
Metamerism occurs when two objects, which have different spectral absorption distributions, are made to match in a specific illuminant, such as daylight. These objects, when viewed under tungsten light, could appear very different in apparent color. The reason for this is that tungsten has a much stronger red component than daylight. Discrepancies in the absorption in this area of the spectrum will be enhanced. The result is a visual mismatch.
The simplest method of eliminating metamerism is to strive for a curve match—where both the visual color and the spectral curve of the objects match. Depending on circumstances, this is not always possible. For example, if the standard panel is an ink swatch or a thermoplastic chip, the colorants used to make that standard may not be appropriate for the intended application.
Factors, such as light or temperature resistance or toxicity restrictions, may dictate selection of a pigment that is not used in the standard.
In these cases, it is necessary to choose a primary illuminant to do the match, and then to measure and be aware of the color differences that will be encountered in alternate illumination conditions. The colorant supplier and customer must work closely to avoid confusion and disappointment in the color matching process.
A Perfect Blend for Automotive Detailing and Airbrushing
Plasticolors' 50-990 line of pigment dispersions provides the solution for high-quality, low VOC automotive detail paint.
Custom paint detailing in the automotive industry can be a tricky business. Whether it is a Ferrari or a Toyota, a Harley or a mountain bike, customers expect flawless and lasting coverage when they bring their "babies" in for custom paint detailing or decorative airbrushing.
In order to meet customer demands for flawless and lasting coverage, the detail shop mandates the highest quality from its paint supplier. In addition, detailers are concerned about worker health and safety regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As a result, high-quality, low VOC paints are in demand.
When the ultimate in paint quality and zero VOC's are a must, paint manufacturers look to Plasticolors to meet their requirements.
Plasticolors' 50-990 line of pigment dispersions has helped major paint suppliers achieve a unique position in this industry. The 50-990 line of zero VOC dispersions provides the high-quality, lasting coverage demanded for custom paint detailing and decorative airbrushing. And with reduced VOC’s, worker safety is vastly improved.
Available in a variety of pigments, the 50-990 line is compatible with a number of water-based chemistries, including acrylic, latex, water-based epoxy, waterborne urethane and hybrid systems. The color dispersions are easily adapted into in-plant tinting equipment.
Aside from automotive detailing, many other industries may benefit from the quality and safety features of Plasticolors’ 50-990, such as high-performance industrial maintenance coatings, marine, wood and plastics coatings, coil coatings, office furniture finishes, decorative and special effect paints, leather finishes and other high-performance protective coatings.
For more information on the 50-990 line, please contact your Plasticolors sales representative or call 800.776.3329.
DID YOU KNOW?
Plasticolors' Toll Processing and Private Label Capabilities
How does a company obtain a competitive advantage? By focusing on its core competencies and distinctive capabilities – that’s how. Often, these competencies are a company’s areas of technical and production expertise (i.e. patents, leadership, teamwork and strong brand recognition).
Competitive advantage ultimately derives from how well a company packages its core competencies and distinctive capabilities into a system that is more cost-effective and productive than its competition.
Plasticolors assists customers in gaining a competitive advantage in their industry by offering toll processing and private labeling services. Here are a few ways Plasticolors’ can help you gain a competitive advantage:
Faster Time to Market. From design and development to manufacturing, packaging, distribution and service, Plasticolors will coordinate the necessary tasks to quickly and effectively bring a customer’s product to market.
Lower Production Costs. Lowering production costs is the easiest way to increase profitability. Focusing on core competencies will significantly increase efficiency and lower manufacturing costs.
Reduction of Capital Expenditures. There is little to no need for capital investments when tolling a product. Plasticolors has a wide array of equipment and processes to meet the specific needs of its customers.
Plasticolors’ commitment to product quality and customer service allows us to make a positive impact on our clients’ production time and cost. At Plasticolors, we pride ourselves on our workmanship. Plasticolors is an employee-owned company and has earned ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO TS16949 certifications.
A Closer look at Ed Capp, Technical Service Manager
With an organization committed to customer service for the past 35 years, Plasticolors’ Technical Service Manager, Ed Capp, has seen quite a bit in his nearly 30 year tenure.
Growing with the organization in several different production, quality assurance, research and development roles, Ed has been an operator, technician and supervisor before moving into his current position managing the technical service group. As the lifeline between customers, Ed and his team of technical representatives are able to problem solve in a wide variety of industrial applications and systems. Ed’s years of experience in the business and intimate knowledge of Plasticolors and its products make him a valuable resource to find solutions for you.
To compliment his longevity and expertise in color and chemical dispersions, Ed likes to relax outside at home or take time out to go fishing – his favorite pastime. “Capiche” —as his friends have nicknamed him— also enjoys spending his Saturday afternoons on the beach near his home or relaxing with a cold beverage rooting on his favorite Cleveland team (all of them).
To learn more about the Technical Service team at Plasticolors, or to tap into their collective expertise with your color or chemical application questions, please contact Technical Service at 440.997.5137 or via email at pci-tech@plasticolors.com.
Plasticolors Inducted Into OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program
Plasticolors Inc., was recently recognized for its outstanding health and safety management systems with acceptance into the Occupational Health and Safety Administrations’ (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). Plasticolors is one of only 1,800 companies in the U.S. to receive this honor.
To be accepted into the VPP, Plasticolors was evaluated on its health and safety programs based on management accountability for worker health and safety, and a continuous effort to identify and eliminate workplace hazards. The OSHA team observed working conditions, reviewed documentation and conducted formal and informal interviews of Plasticolors’ employees to determine its recommended status. Plasticolors also underwent a four-day onsite review of its facility by OSHA representatives, including an industrial hygienist and safety specialist.
“Acceptance into OSHA’s VPP is a great accomplishment,” said Ed Trenn, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Systems Manager at Plasticolors. “There are many advantages to being a VPP site, but partnering with OSHA to ensure the health and safety of our employees is the primary benefit. At the end of the day, we want our employees to return home as healthy as they were when they came to work.”
