A gloss meter is a professional instrument used to measure the surface gloss of an object. It emits light at a specific angle (e.g., 20°, 60°, 85°) and detects the intensity of reflected light to quantify the surface's reflective ability, typically expressed in gloss units (GU). In foreign trade, this term is commonly used in industries such as coatings, plastics, ceramics, paper, and metals for quality control, product acceptance, and R&D. Usage scenarios include: technical specification clauses in export contracts, pre-shipment inspection reports, and customer complaint handling. Note: Different angles correspond to different surfaces (low angles for high gloss, high angles for low gloss). The measurement angle and standard (e.g., ASTM D523, ISO 2813) must be specified in the contract to avoid disputes caused by standard differences. Unlike a colorimeter, which measures color, a gloss meter only measures surface reflection characteristics; unlike a roughness tester, which measures surface micro-roughness. Foreign trade practitioners should confirm the customer's required angle, calibration certificate, and unit of measurement to prevent delivery nonconformity.
📝 Examples
1. According to the contract, each batch of exported coatings must be tested with a 60° gloss meter, and the gloss value must be within 90±2 GU, accompanied by a third-party test report. (Note: Specifies measurement angle and tolerance as a quality clause.)
2. A customer complained about uneven surface gloss on plastic parts. We recommend retesting with a 20° gloss meter and comparing with a standard sample to determine conformity. (Note: Used for handling quality disputes and guiding testing methods.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
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