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Objective Method to Grade Reflectivity of Aluminum Alloys

2001

We are trying to find an objective method to grade reflectivity of aluminum alloys in our extrusion plant.

If anyone knows of a piece of test equipment that will allow us to check reflectivity in a production (not laboratory) setting, please contact me.

Thanks,

Howard R. Stewart
Mid-States Aluminum Corp. - Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, USA

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2001

I know of one plating company which measured the reflectivity of cold rolled sheet. It was done with flat rolled samples approximately 12" x 12". Not a lab, but an office near the plating line. The dirtier or smuttier the sheet, the more difficult it was to electro plate. A small instrument was used. It was merely a light, which could measure its own reflectivity. Good reflectivity = clean surface. Less reflective = dirtier surface. They had to develop their own scale of suitable reflectivity.

Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the company which manufactured the light.The plating company was a major steel company in Cleveland, OH.

Good Luck,

Terry Magyar
Berwick Steel Co. - Columbus, Ohio, USA

Gloss Meter from UK may be of use in differentiating the gloss thereby idea on reflectivity, but is offline & not online. Instrument is portable type & can be used anywhere.

Shankar Nayak
- Mumbai, India
April 12, 2008