L/A/B colorimeter analysis and testing: the science of color at the service of the quality of your materials
Visual perception is subjective; your control data should not be.
In industry, color is much more than an aesthetic criterion: it’s an indicator of conformity, chemical stability, and purity. The FILAB laboratory transforms visual perception into precise mathematical data to guarantee the perfect reproducibility of your products, from prototype to industrial production.
Why choose the CIELAB color space?
To overcome the limitations of the human eye, we use the CIE Lab* color space, the most comprehensive model for describing colors. It allows us to define each hue along three universal axes:
- L (Lightness): from black (0) to white (100).
- a (Red/Green Axis): measures the transition between red (+) and green (-) tones.
- b (Yellow/Blue Axis): measures the transition between yellow (+) and blue (-) tones.
Using this method, we calculate ΔE (Delta E), the overall deviation index. This single figure allows us to objectively determine the conformity of a batch: a deviation becomes measurable and correctable.
Our state-of-the-art analytical techniques for L/A/B colorimeter analysis
At the FILAB laboratory, the choice of technique is dictated by the required precision and the nature of your samples (solids, powders, liquids):
Spectrocolorimetry (Reference method)
Unlike a simple colorimeter, our spectrophotometers analyze the entire visible spectrum (380 to 780 nm).
- Metameric detection: we detect if two colors appear identical under one light source but differ under another (e.g., daylight vs. fluorescent).
- Integration geometry (d/8°): this technology isolates the object's true color by choosing to include or exclude the gloss effect (SCI/SCE modes).
Transmission spectrophotometry
Indispensable for translucent or transparent products (gels, solutions, oils), it allows you to measure purity and clarity through the material.
Regulatory and normative frameworks
FILAB performs your L/A/B colorimeter tests according to international standards, guaranteeing the traceability of your results:
CIE 15.2 (and 15:2004): basis of global colorimetric calculations
ISO 11664: standardization of Lab* and Luv* systems
DIN 5033-4: control of geometric measurement conditions
ASTM D1925 & E313: precise measurement of Yellowing Index (YI) and Whiteness, essential for monitoring material ageing
Strategic L/A/B colorimeter analysis case studies for your industry
Validation of shades (lipsticks, nail polishes) and rendering on various substrates (leather, polymers).
Control of masterbatches and measurement of yellowing after UV exposure.
Color of solutions according to the Pharmacopoeia (EP/USP) and aging of medical devices.
Assessment of opacity, covering power and external degradation.
Our FAQ
To obtain a quote, you can contact our team via our contact form, by phone, or by email.
Simply tell us your requirements (type of material, desired analysis, applicable standards, urgency, quantity of samples, etc.). We will then send you a personalized technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours.
Turnaround times vary depending on the nature of the analysis and the complexity of the expert assessment project.
However, FILAB is committed to providing fast turnaround times tailored to your industrial constraints and urgent needs.
The CIE Lab* system is a "device-independent" color space. Unlike RGB (screen) or CMYK (printing), it describes color as it is perceived by the human eye. It is the industry standard because it is mathematically uniform: a difference of 1 unit on the a* axis is perceived the same way by the eye throughout the color space.
Metamerism is a phenomenon where two objects appear to have the same color under one light (e.g., in an office setting) but appear different under another (e.g., in daylight). Only spectrophotometric analysis can predict and detect this risk by comparing the reflectance curves of the two materials.
Yes. Thanks to specific accessories (transmission cells for liquids, cuvettes for powders), we can stabilize the sample to obtain a reproducible measurement. For transparent liquids, we use transmission spectrophotometry to assess purity and clarity.
Yes. Thanks to adjustable diaphragms (small measurement apertures or "Small Area View"), we can focus the light beam on areas as small as a few millimeters. This is ideal for analyzing a logo on packaging, a small plastic part, or a localized defect on a medical device.
