4.1 Specular gloss is used primarily as a measure of the shiny appearance of films and surfaces. Precise comparisons of gloss values are meaningful only when they refer to the same measurement procedure and same general type of material. In particular, gloss values for transparent films should not be compared with those for opaque films, and vice versa. Gloss is a complex attribute of a surface which cannot be completely measured by any single number.
4.2 Specular gloss usually varies with surface smoothness and flatness. It is sometimes used for comparative measurements of these surface properties.
1.1 This test method describes procedures for the measurement of gloss of plastic films and solid plastics, both opaque and transparent. It contains four separate gloss angles (Note 1):