Microfadeometer

Microfade testing (MFT) is a method that measures color shifts and fading of a museum object.

MFT focuses a filtered light source to an illuminated spot ≈ 3 mm onto the object. The visible reflectance of the object is measured and near instantaneous CIELAB (International Commission on Illumination) color space ∆?∆E   values are calculated and used to assess the fading of materials.

Changes of ∆?∆E values  ≈ 2.3 is just noticeable difference, values under this are not noticeable by unaided   human eye. Therefore microfade testing experiments are stopped before ∆?∆E of 2 is reached.