FAQ: “Is there any difference between measuring in a glass sample cup and a plastic sample cup?”
There is very little difference between measuring a sample in a glass cup versus a plastic cup. The glass sample cup provided by HunterLab is optical quality glass and is recommended. However, there are some instances where a plastic sample cup might be needed. If the plastic is a good quality plastic and is optically clear, it should yield very similar results to that of a glass sample cup.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using a plastic sample cup. Once the optical quality of the plastic sample cup is compromised (for example scratches or stains) the sample cup should be replaced with a new one. Another thing to take into consideration if your sample is not opaque (or nearly opaque) is path length of the sample. In non-opaque samples a consistent path length must be maintained or results will be affected.
Mr. Philips has spent the last 30 years in product development and management, technical sales, marketing, and business development in several industries. Today, he is the global market development manager for HunterLab, focused on understanding customer needs, providing appropriate solutions and education, and helping to solve customer color challenges across these industries and cultures.