What is Pigment

Pigments are generally coloured, organic or inorganic solid powder, and usually are insoluble. They are not affected physically or chemically in the substrate in which they are incorporated. Pigments can give a full range of colours. Pigments have a variety of applications that includes plastics, ink, and coating applications.

Pigment Dyeing
Pigment dyeing is not really "dyeing" in it's truest form because the pigments stick on the fabric with the help of binders.. Pigments are insoluble in water. They exist in the form of finely ground molecules, milled for garment dyeing purposes into a paste. When anionic dispersing agents are added, a slightly negative charge is present, thus the foundation for pigment dyeing is born. When a positively charged cationic pre-treat is added to the fiber a magnetic bond is formed. The process is complete when a cationic binder is added to "lock" the pigment into place.In pigment dyeing no actual chemical reaction takes place between the dye and the fabric. The pigment dyeing process is generally a three step process such as 1.Cationisation of the fabric or giving electric charge to the fabric by a powerful cationic pretreatment. Pigment dyeing is an electrical process whereby the goods to be dyed are given an electrical charge opposite that of the pigment. When the pigment is added to the bath, the opposite electrical charges attract each other, much like the north and the south poles of two magnets. Because of the electrical nature of the process. A typical recipe for cationizing Step Cationic Imparting Agent Wetter Acetic Acid for pH control The cationic agent is applied with a wetting agent and acetic acid onto the fabric in the batch or commercial dyeing machine. After a period of time, the fabric is rinsed. 2.Pigment exhaustion on the fabric The pigments are first mixed with water and a dispersing agent that imparts an anionic charge to the pigments. This solution is added gradually to the dyeing machine. The temperature of the bath is slowly increased and the machine is held at the dyeing temperature for up to 20 minutes. The fabric is held at an elevated temperature to increase the adsorption of the pigments. A typical recipe for this step

 Pigment colorants Dispersing agent 3.Binder application :-A binder used in the exhaust pigment dyeing procedure for fixing pigment colors.Binders are commonly acrylic polymers with nonionic and cationic nature. It improves crock and wash fastness.After the pigment is exhausted , the binder is fed into the dyeing machine and exhausted onto the fabric over a period of time. Acetic acid is added to the bath, which facilitates binder polymerization, then the fabric is rinsed, the dyeing machine is drained, and the fabric is extracted. Dyeing Process Flow Diagram

A Process flow diagram for pigment Garment dyeing process Advantages of pigment dyeing 1.Its applicable to a wide range of textiles and wide gamut of colors available. Some brilliant fluorescent pigments are available for special applications and fashion items. 2.The process of pigment dyeing can also be relatively cheap. 3.The process chemicals are less toxic , environmentally friendly and least polluting. 4.The color fades with the repeated use , just like denims. Limitations of Pigment Dyeing 1.Color fading could be a problem if not desired, and can only be kept intact with further chemical treatments.

2.The abrasion resistance and hand could be unsatisfactory depending upon the pigment, binder and softener used. 3.Dark and deep shades are better produced with other dyestuffs rather than pigments.

Features of the Pigments

The pigments are versatile coloring agents that comes with all round features to give credence to its suitabilty in a variety of mediums. Some of the striking features are given here:

Excellent light and weather fastness A good baking stability that makes them suitable for automotive and other industrial paints High tinting strength Good over spray fastness when applied in paints Gives heat stability of around 300 C in the case of Polyolefins Plastics Excellent solvent resistance properties Easily dispersible Consistency and uniqueness of shades

Factors that go in selecting the right Pigment

While choosing a pigment depends on application, following broad factors can be taken as a guide:

Hiding efficiency Color pH value Bulking value Density Refractive index Hardness Oil absorption

Pigments
Pigments are generally coloured, organic or inorganic solid powder, and usually are insoluble. They are not affected physically or chemically in the substrate in which they are incorporated. Pigments can give a full range of colours. Pigments have a variety of applications that includes plastics, ink, and coating applications. Features of the Pigments The pigments are versatile coloring agents that comes with all round features to give credence to its suitability in a variety of mediums. Some of the striking features are given here:

Excellent light and weather fastness Easily dispersible Consistency and uniqueness of shades A good baking stability that makes them suitable for automotive and other industrial paints High tinting strength Good spray fastness when applied in paints Gives good heat stability of around 300 C in the case of Polyolefins Plastics Displays good solvent resistance properties Pigments

Application of Pigments find regular application in the following sectors:

Electronics industry Inkjet Inks Paints Industry Plastics Construction Industry Wood working Cement Industry

Application of Dyes and Pigments

Dyes

Have you ever wondered what gives the t-shirt you wear its jazzy colours or the leather shoes its shinning black or for that matter the colour print out you have just taken from your printer. Perhaps there would be a very few applications, where there would be no use of the dyes. Constant researches done over the 20th century and there after has resulted into every imaginable form of color of dye. Modern dyes serves more than just being pretty. They have become indispensable tools for a variety of industries. From acting as colorants for plastics, Textile dyeing industries and the highly sophisticated biotechnology industry dyes are touching our life everywhere. Dyes are also used by industries for inks and tinting. Today various dyes are manufactured to meet the requirements of each type of industries. Dyes are available in various forms. Examples are dry powders, granules, pastes, liquids, pellets, and chips.

Did you Know?

Dyes are an integral part of Microbiology Dyes are used to make the microorganisms distinctly visible and or differentiate them. Crystal violet (C-8650) and safranine (S-0700) are the two dyes that are used in Gram's stain. Gram's stain, is a technique of staining that is used to classify bacteria. In it a bacterial specimen is stained with crystal violet, afterwards it is treated with an iodine solution, decolourized with alcohol, and lastly again counter stained with safranine. It has been found that Gram-positive bacteria is able to retain the violet stain, while gram-negative bacteria is not.

Other industries where dyes are used in a variety of products include paper and pulp, adhesives, art supplies, beverages, ceramics, construction, cosmetics, food, glass, paints, polymers, soap, wax biomedicine etc. Dyes that cater to speciality industries often come with specialized properties that include:

Resistance to heat Resistance to weather conditions Resistance to ultraviolet light (UV) Some products are water soluble Conducts electricity Contain reinforcing fibers Free from heavy metals