| Abstract: | The use of reflectance techniques for the study of surface coatings is discussed and the applications of goniophotometry briefly reviewed. The necessary modifications to enable the Brice-Phoenix light scattering photometer to be used as a high sensitivity goniophotometer are described together with details of the application of the instrument to the study of point films. Results obtained with different types of coatings are presented in order to show typical effects of variation in, for example: pigmentation, application technique and environmental deterioration. The results are discussed in terms of the subjectively assessed “gloss” of the different coatings and the ways in which the features of the goniophotometric curves may be most effectively and compactly described. Goniophotometry is suggested as a potentially valuable and sensitive technique for the quantitative study of the early stages of deterioration of polymer films. |
