Coloration Technology

Dye Class Papers

Read our new Virtual Issue on Dye Chemistry — this issue brings together a selection of articles on different types and classes of colorants with comments from the Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Towns.

 

Azo Dyes

 

Azo Dyes from Substituted 2-Aminothiophens

J. B. Dickey, E. B. Towne, M. S. Bloom, W. H. Moore, B. H. Smith Jr., D. G. Hedberg

“A classic paper describing a whole new type of blue disperse dye which was ahead of its time in terms of economics; dyes of this kind became commercially important a couple of decades later.  Half a century on, they are still valued as the basis for high fastness polyester colorants.”

 

Vat Dyes

 

The development of indigo reduction methods and pre-reduced indigo products

Richard S Blackburn, Thomas Bechtold, Philip John

“An excellent review of the state-of-the-art concerning the application of indigo.  It reveals how the processes of antiquity have been transformed into the efficient, reproducible methods of today, but also outlines what still needs to be done along with future prospects for how the colorant may be applied.”

 

Disperse Dyes

 

The Ionamines: A New Class of Dyestuffs for Acetate Silk

Arthur G. Green, Kenneth H. Saunders

“This vintage paper first describes the introduction of distant ancestors of today's disperse dyes, which have now become the most important dye class for the most important synthetic fibre.”

 

Dyes for Polyester-Cotton

 

A New Insight into the Thermofix Dyeing of Polyester-Cellulose Blends

C. J. Bent, T. D. Flynn, H. H. Sumner

“The Thermofix process has long been used on blends of two fibre types, particularly polycotton, that are conventionally dyed with different classes of colorant:  typically reactive or vat dyes for the cellulose component and disperse dyes for the other.  This landmark paper proves that in the process the polyester component is dyed only by disperse dye in vapour form.”

 

Benzodifuranone Dyes

 

Dyeing and fastness properties of benzodifuranones, naphthodifuranones and naphthofuranonepyrrolidones

C. Yoon, G. Hallas

“The benzodifuranone chromophore is a relative newcomer compared to azo and anthraquinone colorants.  It has been has been commercially exploited in the manufacture of red dyes and pigments.  The research described in this paper demonstrates how the chromophore can be modified to produce bright blue colorants.”

 

Reactive Dyes

 

Reactive Dyes in the Coloration of Cellulosic Materials

I. D. Rattee

“From the horse’s mouth:  an account of the development of the reactive dye types that first became industrially successful written by one of the researchers who created them.”

 

Controlled coloration: a success strategy for the dyeing of cellulosic fibres with reactive dyes

P S Collishaw, D A S Phillips, M J Bradbury

“A report that is still of relevance today which demonstrates how profitability can be improved markedly through the controlled application of compatible reactive dyes to achieve reproducible level shades with a greater probability of being produced right first time.”

 

Chrome Dyes for Wool

 

Chrome dyeing: the role of soluble proteins

D. G. King

“Levels of residual chrome in dyebaths can be much higher than expected.  This paper supplies evidence that soluble wool proteins are to blame:  the finding could be useful in designing coloration processes that ensure chrome dyes continue to be employed by industry.”

 

Fluorescent Dyes

 

Fluorescent dyes

Robert M Christie

“A comprehensive overview of fluorescent dye types of commercial importance which remains an excellent introductory reference text.”

 

Natural Dyes

 

Colour and fastness of natural dyes: revival of traditional dyeing techniques

Maria Zarkogianni, Eleni Mikropoulou, Evangelia Varella, Eforia Tsatsaroni

“Describes a systematic comparison of the performance of traditional naturally-derived colorants on wool and cotton in conjunction with mordants of varying degrees of environmental acceptability, giving a modern perspective on what can be achieved.”