Physical Forms of Dyes

Presented to the Scottish Region at a one–day conference entitled ‘A Profile of the 80s’, held at the Eurocrest Hotel, Glasgow, on 23 May 1980. The development of new physical forms of dyes has become increasingly important over the last decade. The need for ease of handling and dispensing, together with health and safety requirements and advances in application methods, has led to significant improvements in the physical form of many dyes that are available on the market. This has resulted in the introduction of granular forms of dyes in place of powders and stable liquids to replace pastes. Improved wet–milling techniques for insoluble dyes have enabled stable liquid versions of vat and disperse dyes of controlled ultimate particle size to be made available. The additives necessary for the different physical forms are discussed and the ideal properties required for the next decade are outlined. The physical forms of dyes now available can help to establish new standards of accuracy in dispensing and industrial hygiene wherever they are used.