TEST METHOD

6 Normalisation Renault Automobiles

DMC / Service 65810
COLOURED MATERIALS
VISUAL COMPARISON OF COLOURS
IN LIGHT CHAMBER
D15 1343 / - - E

RENAULT D15 1343 / - - E
This document is to be considered as a whole, the parts of which must not be separated.

RENAULT 2006.
No duplication permitted without the consent of the issuing department.
No circulation permitted without the consent of RENAULT.



DATE OF ISSUE

January 1981 - - -




REVISIONS

June 1983 - - B

June 1989 - - C

June 1997

- - D Complete revision.
Numbering change : prefix D15 added to the previous number.
Foreword deleted.
This issue originates from draft NC 96460 / - - C.

March 2006 - - E Confirmation of the validity.





REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

Standard : 00-10-409.
RENAULT V.I. Standard : 03-30-4002.
AFNOR Standards : NF EN 20105-A02 (12/94, classification index G07-010-2); NF T 30-061
(04/81) ; X 08-000 (12/75 ).



RENAULT 2006 Page 1/7
RENAULT D15 1343 / - - E
VALID FOR RENAULT V.I.
1. SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION
The purpose of this test method is to make a visual comparison, in a light chamber, between the
colours of a coloured material and those of a colour standard under defined conditions.
This method is applicable to coloured materials, in particular:
- all finish paints, whether standard or with special effects, applied to bodyworks,
- trim materials (textiles, etc.),
- plastic parts, with ingrained colouring or coated with paint.
It is used :
- for checking conformity of a coloured part with respect to the colour of the corresponding
standard,
- for determining whether a coloured item has changed colour during ageing, e.g. as a result of
exposure to light or a bleeding test.
2. PRINCIPLE
The coloured or painted part is placed next to a standard of the same colour and exposed to a
luminous lighting source.
The induced coloured impressions are visually compared.
The same comparison is made using artificial light under an incandescent lamp to detect metamerism.
If necessary, make a comparison in ultraviolet light (or black light) to show up fluorescence.
3. APPARATUS
3.1. INSPECTION CHAMBER
Room insulated from outside light (e.g. by black curtains), the inside surfaces of which (floor, walls,
ceiling) are coated with a neutral grey matt finish. The light coming from the various sources shall be
filtered through a diffusing screen which does not alter their spectral characteristics.
3.2. LIGHT SOURCES
For DESIGN approval tests, use the MACBETH apparatus, type D65-6 500 k.
For other tests on all other materials corresponding to the technical clauses defined below, the
following can be used:
- "MAC BETH" type light chamber,
- "GAMAIN" type light chamber
RENAULT 2006 Page 2/7
RENAULT D15 1343 / - - E
3.2.1. Daylight
Also called 'white light", this is illuminant D 65 defined by the International Lighting Commission. Its
rays constitute a close reproduction of average daylight rays, including those near to ultraviolet. Its
colour temperature is 6 500 K (see experimental French standard X 08-000).
3.2.2. Artificial light
This is illuminant A on the rays discharged by incandescent lamps with a colour temperature of 2 850
K (see experimental French standard X 08-000) and illuminant TL84 on the rays discharged by a
fluorescent lamp with a colour temperature of 4 200 K.
3.2.3. Black light
"Black" light is an ultraviolet light of wavelength 365 nanometres (nm).
3.2.4. Maintenance
The light sources shall be cleaned regularly, at least every three months. The operating times in
inspection chamber (3.1.) shall be in conformity with the limits indicated by the manufacturer. The
emission characteristics of the chamber shall be checked and adjusted by the manufacturer at least
once a year. The emission rate of the various light sources shall be checked once a month using a
"kelvinmeter" ( e.g. MINOLTA xy1 chronometer).
NOTE 1 :change the incandescent lamps when they are worn out (they seldom last more than
1000 hours),
NOTE 2 :change the fluorescent tubes every 3 500 hours for lighting divided into 500 switch-on
times; each switching is considered as 3 hours of ageing; after this period of 3 500 hours,
replace all the light sources and calibrate the lighting again.
NOTE 3 :always change the lamps in pairs (if one lamp is worn out, change the two).
NOTE 4 : if the paint on the inside of the chamber needs redoing, use only the paint specified by the
manufacturer (MUNSELL neutral grey N7).
3.3. COLOUR STANDARDS
Colour standards are :
- steel plates (or any other support) coated with paint,
- sheets of plastified polyvinyl chloride (PVCp), rigid plastic slabs, moulded parts painted or
not, sheets or carpets, composite materials, etc.
Colour standards shall be kept away from light in accordance with Standard 00-10-409 and other
specific standards such as Standard 03-30-4002 (RENAULT V.I.). Avoid contact between the right
side and other materials liable to damage the standards, such as cardboard or PVCp sheets. Also
avoid marking compressible materials such as velvets, carpets and felt by crushing.
Colour standards shall be handled with care without placing the fingers on the right side; take hold of
them by the edge, by the reverse side or by the support card on which they are clipped, if required.
4. VISUAL INSPECTION
Because of the significant differences in colour vision amongst the general population, it is necessary
to check the quality of colour vision of the observer an to ensure that he belongs to the normal
trichromate category. This examination is carried out by means of inspection methods such as the
"Farnsworth test" (see registered French Standard NF T 30-061).
The observer shall never wear tinted glasses when performing the examination.
RENAULT 2006 Page 3/7
RENAULT D15 1343 / - - E
5. PREPARING THE SPECIMENS
- The specimens under comparison shall be of identical dimensions or of dimensions as close as
possible.
- Clean them if necessary to remove all dirt. In the case of a material with a pile surface, brush in
order to equalise the sheen.
- If there is a difference in brilliance between the specimen and the standard, play with the
inclinations to neutralise the effect.
- If there is a significant difference in mattness (for example on an aged specimen, the surface
condition of which shows actual degradation), it is sometimes necessary to abandon the colour
inspection.
- If the materials have been subjected to heat treatment, the examination shall be performed
at 23 C 2 C (i.e. about 2 hours after curing).
- For paints, apply the paint on the support plate under the conditions specified in the normative
documents.
6. METHOD
The field of observation shall be cleared of any object liable to interfere with visual comparison
(standards or specimens of another colour; operator shall wear grey overalls).
6.1. DAYLIGHT
Switch on the "daylight" lighting (3.2.1.).
6.1.1.1. Non-metallic paints
Observe the colour of the test specimen n comparison with the corresponding colour standard by
placing them side by side on the front edge of the purpose-built test specimen support plate.
6.1.1.2. Metallic or pearled paints
Repeat the above operation while observing the specimens over the whole depth of the support plate
to detect any difference in colour due to goniometric phenomena.
6.1.1.3. Paints which have been subjected to ageing or chalking
Find an observation angle which best reduces the contrast due to the sheen, so that only the contrast
of the two colours are highlighted.
6.1.2. Other cases
Place side by side the test specimen to be examined and the colour standard on an observation plane
making an angle of approximately 30 above the horizontal plane (see diagram in annex 2).
Compare them in this position and continue the comparison rotating the observation plane from + 30
to - 30 around the horizontal axis. Return to the original position.
Rotate the specimens by a quarter turn in their own plane. Repeat the comparison as shown
previously. Carry out the same comparison after a second, then a third quarter of a revolution carried
out in the same direction. Note the mean result of these comparisons.
In the case of a material presenting an anisotropic appearance (for example corduroy, close-cut
carpet, slab moulded in a given grain, metallic effect of paints), orientate the test specimen and the
colour standard in the same way. When the test specimen examined or the colour standard have their
surface condition modified in relation to the initial condition (for example velvet crushed by a cover in
RENAULT 2006 Page 4/7
RENAULT D15 1343 / - - E
the area exposed to light, etc.) find the angle of observation which best reduces the contrast in
brilliance, so as to remain sensitive to the contrast in colour only.
Switch of the "daylight" lighting.
6.2. ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
Switch on the incandescent lamps defined in paragraph 3.2.2. and carry out the same comparisons as
in paragraph 6.1. under this light. This second observation, in addition to the first, enables
metamerism to be revealed.
Switch of the "artificial lighting".
NOTE : two specimens are metamerised if they are identical under one light and different under an
other.
6.3. BLACK LIGHT
If the installation allows it, switch on the "black light" defined in paragraph 3.2.3. and carry out the
same comparisons under this light. This third observation reveals any fluorescence.
Switch off the "black light".
6.4. MULTIPLE EXAMINATIONS
It is permitted to examine successively materials of similar colours, for example a series in shades of
blue.
On the other hand, if a successive examination of different colours must be carried out, it is
necessary:
- to start with neutral, light then dark shades,
- to continue with brighter shades,
- to finish with red shades.
The observer must allow himself a visual rest when passing from one colour to another colour; a few
minutes are generally sufficient. He may also rest his sight by looking at neutral grey.
RENAULT 2006 Page 5/7
RENAULT D15 1343 / - - E
7. EXPRESSION OF RESULTS
Indicate whether the colour of the specimen examined is:
- in conformity, (Accepted),
- not in conformity, ("NC or Rejected),
NOTE : optional rating :
- acceptance limit, (exemption).
according to the differences observed between the specimen and the corresponding colour standard
(or the specimen and the sample of the original material).
In the case of an unacceptable colour, indicate how the colour is distinguished from that of the colour
standard (or that of the sample of the original material) :
- difference in intensity or luminance (lighter, darker),
- difference in tonality (redder or yellower),
- difference in saturation (brighter or less bright in the same tonality),
- contrast compared to the grey scale in accordance with French standard NF EN 20105-A02, or
contrast compared to that of other specimens subjected to the same ageing,
- presence of metamerism,
- presence of fluorescence (i.e. emission of visible radiation under the influence of invisible
radiation, for example ultraviolet).
Note also any difference in surface appearance (brilliance).
8. TEST REPORT
In addition to the results obtained, the test report shall include:
- the reference of this test method,
- the sources of light chosen,
- the operating details not specified in the method as well as any incidents which might have
affected the results.
RENAULT 2006 Page 6/7
RENAULT D15 1343 / - - E
RENAULT 2006 Page 7/7
ANNEX
EXAMPLE OF LIGHT CHAMBER INSTALLATION




specimen
Eye of observer
Diffuser screen



Light
sources