Solvent dye, which is also popularly known by the name of oil dye, is the type of dye that is generally soluble in an organic solvent. While most dyes exhibit the property of ionization, a solvent dye generally does not ionize. These dyes color by getting dissolved in the targeted material, which is generally a lipid or a non-polar solvent. The naming pattern of solvent dyes has the word solvent followed by the name of the base color and a unique number. The classification helps in specifically identifying the dyes through the name of the stated color and its primary mechanism of staining.
A solvent dye is generally introduced in the form of a solution that is dissolved in an organic solvent. A large number of solvent dyes are basically azo dyes, which have been molecularly re-arranged to get rid of their ionizing capability. The molecular re-arrangement also enables these dyes to become soluble in non-polar solutions such as triglycerides. Some other common solvents for solvent dyes include alcohols, ethers, ketones, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, oils, fats, waxes and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Although, being soluble in an organic solvent is a basic physical characteristic of a solvent dye, there are some important applications, where the dyes need to be applied directly instead of first dissolving them in a solvent.
The fact that solvent dyes are soluble in non-polar mediums lends them a versatility that makes them perfect for use in a wide range of applications. They are used in industries on a large scale for foil printing, printing inks, marking pens, ball point pens, candles and other waxes, polishes, leathers, wood stains, acrylic resins, varnishes and shellacs. They are even used to signal smoke and have a diverse usage in the pyrotechnics industry. Additionally, these dyes are also widely used in the automotive industry for coloring lubricants as well as in the industrial cutting sector.
However, the most common and widespread use of solvent dyes is in the plastic industry where they are use to impart color to a wide range of solid materials that include acetates, nylon, polyester, acrylics, PVC, PMMA, PETP, polystyrene and styrene monomers. They are also used as integral components in the manufacturing of biological stains used to distinguish distinct cell structure components that play a vital role in medical diagnosis and scientific research.
A solvent dye is generally introduced in the form of a solution that is dissolved in an organic solvent. A large number of solvent dyes are basically azo dyes, which have been molecularly re-arranged to get rid of their ionizing capability. The molecular re-arrangement also enables these dyes to become soluble in non-polar solutions such as triglycerides. Some other common solvents for solvent dyes include alcohols, ethers, ketones, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, oils, fats, waxes and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Although, being soluble in an organic solvent is a basic physical characteristic of a solvent dye, there are some important applications, where the dyes need to be applied directly instead of first dissolving them in a solvent.
The fact that solvent dyes are soluble in non-polar mediums lends them a versatility that makes them perfect for use in a wide range of applications. They are used in industries on a large scale for foil printing, printing inks, marking pens, ball point pens, candles and other waxes, polishes, leathers, wood stains, acrylic resins, varnishes and shellacs. They are even used to signal smoke and have a diverse usage in the pyrotechnics industry. Additionally, these dyes are also widely used in the automotive industry for coloring lubricants as well as in the industrial cutting sector.
However, the most common and widespread use of solvent dyes is in the plastic industry where they are use to impart color to a wide range of solid materials that include acetates, nylon, polyester, acrylics, PVC, PMMA, PETP, polystyrene and styrene monomers. They are also used as integral components in the manufacturing of biological stains used to distinguish distinct cell structure components that play a vital role in medical diagnosis and scientific research.
