Image based colorimetric characterization of scrub induced color changes in UV printed and water transfer printed MDF boards

Conventional colorimetric evaluation methods remain inadequate for accurately characterizing scrub-induced color changes on UV-printed and water transfer-printed decorative coatings applied to MDF after chemical resistance testing; therefore, this study proposes an image-based colorimetric characterization approach using an Image Processing-Based Scrub Tester to quantitatively assess such changes under simulated domestic chemical exposure. For this study, 8 mm thick Medium-Density Fiberboard sheets with a bright white, polyvinyl chloride-coated Medium-Density Fiberboard, high-gloss acrylic coating Medium-Density Fiberboard, Medium-Density Fiberboard lam, and Medium-Density Fiberboard sheets treated with polyurethane, cellulose-based, water-based and acrylic paints were utilized. A carbon fiber-patterned organic finish was applied to the surfaces of the pre-treated Medium-Density Fiberboard sample using ultraviolet printing and water transfer printing (WTP) techniques, followed by scrubbing testing with various domestic cleaning agents in compliance with Turkish Standards. As part of the picture evaluation process in this study, digital picture of the samples was captured after and before the scrubbing process. Color measurements were then analyzed based on L*, a*, and b* coordinates, conforming to the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE L*a*b*) color system, utilizing a newly developed evaluation technique. From the outcomes of the study, it was observed that the overall color shift of the water transfer printing samples was 124,63% more than the ultraviolet printed samples. To assess the precision of the Image Processing-Based Scrub Tester's color measurement system developed in this research, its results were benchmarked against those from a different color tester. As a result, the findings strongly suggest that the color test analysis performed with Image Processing-Based Scrub Tester, together with the developed software, has the potential to serve as an alternative to industrial testing equipment.