ASTM E284-03a

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Designation: E 284 – 03a
Standard Terminology of
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Appearance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 284; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Appearance, including the appearance of objects, materials, and light sources, is of importance in
many arts, industries, and scientific disciplines. Appearance terms are used in a wide range of ASTM
standards as well as other documents of concern in standardization, testing, and specification. The
purpose of this terminology standard is to define terms relating to the description of appearance.
Definitions are of two distinctly different kinds. A descriptive definition reports existing usage,
whereas a prescriptive definition is an invitation to use a term in a specific way. By agreement of
ASTM Committee E12 on Color and Appearance, the definitions in this terminology standard are
taken to be prescriptive in nature. Committee E12 thereby assumes a position of leadership in usage.
Terms and definitions in several terminology standards and vocabularies other than ASTM (see
References), as well as other ASTM terminology standards, have been considered for inclusion in this
terminology standard. An effort has been made to achieve greater accuracy, brevity, clarity, precision,
and internal consistency, and to draw distinctions that are useful in the practical measurement and
specification of appearance.
Suggestions for additions or revisions to this terminology standard are welcome.
1. Scope 2. Significance and Use
1.1 This terminology standard defines terms used in the 2.1 This terminology standard contains definitions of ap-
description of appearance, including but not limited to color, pearance terms applicable to the work of many ASTM techni-
gloss, opacity, scattering, texture, and visibility of both mate- cal committees. Its use by committees other than Committee
rials (ordinary, fluorescent, retroreflective) and light sources E12 on Appearance, and its citation in the standards of such
(including visual display units). committees, is encouraged.
1.2 It is the policy of ASTM Committee E12 on Appearance 2.2 In this terminology standard, definitions of terms used in
that this terminology standard include important terms and other ASTM standards are indicated by placing the designation
definitions explicit to the scope, whether or not the terms are of that standard in parentheses at the end of the definition.
currently used in an ASTM standard. Terms that are in common Definitions used by other organizations (see Refs (5–7)) are
use and appear in common-language dictionaries (see Refs indicated similarly by placing in parentheses at the end of the
2
(1–4) ) are generally not included, except when the dictionar- definition the acronym of the organization, occasionally with
ies show multiple definitions and it seems desirable to indicate the date of its terminology standard quoted. In either case, a
the definitions recommended for E12 standards. superscript letter may be used to indicate the degree of
1.3 The usage of terms describing appearance varies con- correspondence between the definition given herein and that in
siderably. In some cases, different usage of a term in different the citation. Superscript A indicates that the two are identical;
fields has been noted. B that the given definition is a modification of that cited, with
little difference in essential meaning; and C that the two differ
substantially.
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This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color
2.3 A further parenthetical inclusion at the end of the
and Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.01 on
definition gives the revision, if after 1981, in which the
Terminology.
definition was added to this terminology standard or last
Current edition approved July 10, 2003. Published August 2003. Originally
approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E 284 – 03.
revised. An appendix at the end of this terminology standard
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
text.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E 284 – 03a
lists changes in it since its last previous revision published in pathlength, b, a = A/bc. The units of b and c shall be
B
the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. specified. (1988) (E 131)
2.4 Where appropriate, symbols or acronyms are listed for accuracy, n—the closeness of agreement between a test result
terms in this terminology standard.
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