ASTM D6290-05 - 1.4.2005
 
1. Scope

1.1 This test method is intended primarily for the instrumental measurement of the degree of yellowness (or change of degree of yellowness) under daylight illumination of homogeneous, nonfluorescent, nearly-colorless transparent or nearly-white translucent or opaque plastics. The measurement is made on pellets and based on tristimulus values obtained with a spectrophotometer or colorimeter.

1.2 This test method is applicable to the color analysis of plastic pellets. Each material may have unique characteristics that determine the color values.

1.3 This procedure outlines a method to determine color measurements, such as Yellowness Index, CIE X, Y, Z, and Hunter L, a, b, or CIE L*, a*, b*.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Note 1—There is no equivalent ISO Standard.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D883-26a

Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics (Includes all amendments and changes 6/15/2026).

E691-23

Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

E313-20(2025)

Standard Practice for Calculating Yellowness and Whiteness Indices from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates

E308-22

Standard Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by Using the CIE System

E284-25

Standard Terminology of Appearance

E179-17(2022)

Standard Guide for Selection of Geometric Conditions for Measurement of Reflection and Transmission Properties of Materials

D2244-25

Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates

E1331-15(2023)

Standard Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by Spectrophotometry Using Hemispherical Geometry

E1349-06(2022)

Standard Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by Spectrophotometry Using Bidirectional (45?:0? or 0?:45?) Geometry

E1347-06(2020)

Standard Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Measurement by Tristimulus Colorimetry