English Product Name

Overview

The ERICHSEN #527 Tintometer is a precision optical instrument engineered for quantitative assessment of tinting strength and brightness in unpigmented or deeply colored, non-cured coatings—particularly wet-film systems such as adhesive pigments applied on flat substrates. Its measurement principle adheres to the photometric geometry of 45°/0° illumination/viewing, compliant with CIE 1931 standard observer (2° field of view), and calibrated to match the spectral luminous efficiency function V(λ) via a proprietary Y-filter. This ensures traceable, spectrally corrected Y-tristimulus value output—commonly referred to as “brightness” or “luminance factor”—in strict accordance with ASTM D 3265 (Standard Test Method for Tinting Strength of White Pigments) and ASTM D 2745 (Standard Test Method for Tinting Strength of Colored Pigments). As a secondary function, the instrument operates as a general-purpose reflectance photometer per ASTM E 97 (Standard Test Method for Brightness of Paper and Paperboard), enabling routine brightness evaluation of solid materials including dried coatings, paper, plastics, and ceramic glazes. The system’s architecture integrates a benchtop power and display unit with a handheld probe, enabling both laboratory-grade repeatability and field-deployable flexibility.

Key Features

• 45°/0° optical geometry conforming to ISO/CIE standard illumination conditions for diffuse reflectance measurement
• C-illuminant halogen lamp (6 V) with spectrally matched Y-filter and silicon photodiode detector, ensuring compliance with CIE V(λ) luminosity curve
• Optimized lens system delivering uniform sample illumination and precise collection of reflected flux over a 23 mm aperture
• Fixed 0.5 mm air gap maintained by dual 8 mm-wide lateral support feet—enabling non-contact measurement of wet films up to ~400 µm thickness without probe contamination or substrate deformation
• 4½-digit LED display (range: 0–199.99 units) with high-resolution brightness readout and internal amplifier gain adjustment for extended dynamic range
• Robust mechanical design: probe weight 840 g; main unit dimensions 275 × 235 × 110 mm; net weight 3.7 kg; power consumption 45 VA (230 V~, 50 Hz)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The #527 Tintometer accommodates flat, opaque, or semi-opaque planar samples—including uncured liquid films, cured coatings, paper sheets, rigid plastics, and enamel surfaces. Its fixed 0.5 mm standoff eliminates pressure-induced film thinning and avoids cross-contamination during repeated wet-film measurements. Calibration is performed using supplied NIST-traceable black and white reference standards (included), with optional gray calibration plates available for intermediate verification. Instrument compliance extends across multiple international standards: ASTM D 3265 and D 2745 for pigment tinting strength; ASTM E 97 for brightness; and ISO 2813 (for specular gloss-independent reflectance). While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, the system supports integration with external data logging platforms via optional analog (0–10 V / 0–20 mA) or digital (RS-232-C) interfaces—facilitating audit-ready documentation under GLP or GMP environments when paired with validated software.

Software & Data Management

The base configuration operates as a standalone photometer with no embedded microprocessor or onboard memory. All measurement data are displayed in real time on the LED screen and must be manually recorded unless interfaced externally. Optional accessories enable structured data capture: the RS-232-C interface (Order No. 0323.01.32) permits direct serial communication with PCs running custom or third-party acquisition software; BCD output (0318.01.32) supports legacy industrial controllers; and analog outputs (0324.01.32 / 0325.01.32) allow connection to chart recorders or PLC-based QA dashboards. For regulated laboratories, integration with validated LIMS or ELN systems requires external timestamped logging and user-access controls—features implemented at the host software level rather than within the instrument firmware.

Applications

• Quantitative tinting strength evaluation of organic and inorganic pigments in solvent- and water-borne coating formulations
• In-process quality control of wet-film brightness in coil coating, automotive primer application, and ink-jet proofing lines
• Batch-to-batch consistency verification of white titanium dioxide dispersions prior to drying
• Brightness benchmarking of packaging board, label stock, and synthetic films per ISO 2470-1
• Research-grade reflectance profiling of UV-curable resins during gelation kinetics studies
• Calibration transfer between production-floor instruments and master reference units in central QC labs

FAQ

Does the #527 Tintometer measure color coordinates (L*a*b*)?

No. It outputs only the CIE Y tristimulus value (luminance factor), not full-colorimetric data. For L*a*b* analysis, a spectrophotometer compliant with ISO 11664-4 is required.

Can it measure curved or textured surfaces?

It is optimized for flat, smooth substrates. Curved or heavily textured samples introduce geometric errors due to non-uniform illumination and viewing angles—results should be interpreted with caution and validated against reference standards.

Is the halogen lamp user-replaceable?

Yes. A spare bulb and screwdriver are included in the standard supply package (Order No. 0146.01.31). Lamp replacement requires recalibration using the supplied black and white standards.

What is the minimum measurable film thickness?

The 0.5 mm standoff enables reliable measurement of wet films ≥10 µm thick. Below this, capillary effects and meniscus distortion may affect repeatability.

Does the instrument meet FDA requirements for pharmaceutical packaging testing?

While not certified for FDA-regulated environments out-of-the-box, its traceable calibration path, stable optics, and optional RS-232 data export support validation protocols aligned with USP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when integrated into a documented quality system.