Influence of topographical features on the surface appearance measurement of injection moulded components

Adding textures to surfaces is known improve the external appearance of injection moulded components. However, when high surface quality required, normally a paint coating applied on top textured surface. In this work, an alternative painting for obtaining proposed, following environmental-friendly process and having low production cost. Three different obtained by moulding have been characterized compared with painted one. Alternative topographical parameters such as absolute functional height (AFH), distribution (FHD), texture slope (TS) or aperture angle (TAA) besides traditional roughness arithmetical mean (Sa) root square (Sq) utilized characterize random textures. The relationships between these represented gloss reflectivity contrast established using new total measurement (TAM) apparatus. It was found that applying secondary operation mould cavity, adding micro features coatings, equal apparent ones can be reached.