ASTM E903-96

Solar Absorptance, Reflectance and Transmittance of Materials Using

Integrating Spheres.
This test method covers the measurement of spectral absorptance, reflectance and
transmittance of materials using spectrophotometers equipped with integrating spheres.
It will also cover the methods used of computing solar weighted properties from the
measured spectral values.
For this test measurements of transmittance (or reflectance) are made over the spectral
range

from

approximately

300

to

2,500nm

using

an

integrating

sphere

spectrophotometer. The specimen can be patterned, opaque, transparent or slightly

translucent and can vary in size depending on the integrating sphere being used for
measurements. The solar absorptance can be explained in terms of a ratio where 1 is
the maximum amount of solar heat gain that can come through a skylight and 0 is the
least amount. Therefore, a solar heat gain coefficiency of 0.40 means that 40% of the
available solar heat is coming through the entire skylight unit.
During the test the 100% and zero line curves should be recorded. For reflectance
measurements, record the zero line with a perfect absorber or light trap in the sample
port. For transmittance measurements, record the zero line with the sample beam
blocked, preferably as far in front of the entrance port as convenient. Reflectance of
opaque and transparent or translucent materials is calculated differently to each other
by means of position in the integrating sphere and amount of light being allowed to
enter the sphere.