Paper and Board Optical Tests

Paper and board products are widely used in our daily lives. Sheet characteristics can fall into one or more of the following categories: physical, optical, electrical, thermal, structural, and surface. Different tests have been developed by various organizations to quantify and help predict how a sheet of paper or board will perform during converting and finishing processes, and in its end use. This module will discuss the tests that are commonly used to assess the optical properties of paper and board sheets.

•Identify the organization whose standardized paper and board test methods are most commonly used in the U.S. •Describe the four mechanisms of interaction between light and the surface of a sheet of paper or board •Describe brightness testing, including principles and units •Describe opacity testing, including principles and units •Describe formation testing, including principles and units •Describe color testing, including principles and units •Describe gloss testing, including principles and units