What is the difference between dyes and pigments and colorants?
The amount of dyes, pigments, and colorants added in various industries is influenced by a variety of factors, such as product usage, target color, cost budget, etc. Below we will detail the differences between these three and how much they are generally added in various industries.
The difference between dyes, pigments, and colorants.
Dyes: A dye is a substance that can color fibers and other materials. Dyes are usually soluble in water or organic solvents and can be dyed directly onto the material. Dyes are bright in color but fade easily, so they are often used in items that require frequent washing or rubbing, such as textiles and paper.
Pigment: A pigment is a coloring substance that does not dissolve in a medium such as oil or water. They exist in the form of solid particles, which are dispersed in a medium to achieve the effect of coloring. Because the pigments are insoluble, they are able to provide longer-lasting and more weather-resistant colors. Therefore, pigments are often used in products such as coatings, plastics, paints, etc.
Colorant: Colorant is a thick liquid made from pigments, dispersants, and other additives. The purpose of the colorant paste is to enable the pigment to be better dispersed in the medium, providing a more uniform and stable color. Colorants are mainly used in coatings, printing inks, plastic coloring and other industries.
The amount of dyes, pigments and colorants added in various industries.
Textile industry: In the textile industry, the amount of dye added is usually determined by the type of fiber and the purpose of the product. For example, cotton fibers typically require a higher amount of dye, while synthetic fibers require less dye. For colorants, it is used as a thickener and pigment carrier in the paint printing process, and the amount added depends on the colorant concentration and printing process requirements.
Coatings industry: In the coatings industry, the amount of pigments and colorants added depends on the required coating thickness and color intensity. In general, paints are formulated with a percentage of pigments and colorants to provide the desired color and opacity. The amount of pigment added is usually between 10% and 50%, depending on the use of the product and the quality requirements. The amount of colorant added depends on its concentration and the formulation requirements of the coating.
Plastics industry: In the plastics industry, the amount of pigments added is mainly limited by the product's use, cost, and production process. Since the pigment does not dissolve in the plastic matrix, a high dosage is required to achieve a noticeable color effect. In general, pigments are added between 1% and 10%, depending on the desired color intensity and the type of plastic. The application of colorants in plastic coloring is similar to that in the coatings industry, and the amount added also depends on the desired color intensity and the type of plastic.
Printing ink industry: In the printing ink industry, colorant is the main colorant. The amount of colorant added depends on the desired ink viscosity and color intensity. In general, the amount of colorant added is between 10% and 50%, depending on the type and use of the ink.
In summary, the amount of dyes, pigments, and colorants added in various industries depends on a variety of factors, such as product use, target color, cost budget, etc. In practice, the right dyes, pigments or pastes should be selected according to the specific requirements and the amount added should be adjusted to achieve the best results.
Pigment color paste.
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