Disperse Dyes

Dyes

Dyes are coloured, unsaturated organic

chemical compounds capable of giving

colour to a substrate (a textile), i.e.

colouring or dyeing it. 

Disperse Dyes

The term “disperse dye” have been

applied to the organic colouring

substances which are free from ionizing

groups, are of low water solubility and

are suitable for dyeing hydrophobic

fibres.

History of Disperse Dyes

In 1922, Green and Saunders made one type of

coloured azo compound, in which a solubilizing

group (for example- methyl sulphate, -CH2-SO3H) is

attached to amino group. This free azo compound

was capable of dyeing cellulose acetate fibres. This

dye was named “ionamine”. But this ion amine did

not give satisfactory result in dyeing. 

In 1924, Baddiley and Ellis produced sulpho

ricinoleic acid (SRA) for dyeing acetate

fibres. This SRA was used as dispersing

agent. Later it was seen that SRA was

capable of dyeing Nylon, polyester, acrylic

etc.

In 1953 this dye was named as “Disperse

Dye”.

Properties of Disperse Dyes

Disperse dyes are nonionic dyes. So they are

free from ionizing group. 

They are ready made dyes and are insoluble in

water or have very low water solubility. 

They are organic colouring substances which

are suitable for dyeing hydrophobic fibres. 

Disperse dyes are used for dyeing man made

cellulose ester and synthetic fibres specially

acetate and polyester fibres and sometimes

nylon and acrylic fibres. 

Carrier or dispersing agents are required for

dyeing with disperse dyes. 

Disperse dyes have fair to good light fastness

with rating about 4-5.

Classification of Disperse Dyes

According to Chemical Structure,

Nitro Dyes 

Amino Ketone dyes 

Anthraquinonoid dyes 

Mono azo dyes 

Di- azo dyes 

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