Disperse Dye

Disperse Dye
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. The dye
has derived its name for its insoluble aqueous properties and the need to apply it from an aqueous
dispersion. Of all the dyes, they are of the smallest molecular size. Disperse dyes have substantivity
for one or more hydrophobic fibres e.g. cellulose acetate, nylon, polyester, acrylic and other
synthetic fibres.
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 coloring 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.
 Disperse dyes have fair to good light fastness with rating about 4-5.
 The wash fastness of these dyes is moderate to good with rating about 3-4.
 Of all dyestuffs disperse dyes are of smallest molecular size.
 Generally disperse dyes are derivatives of azo, anthroquinone, nitro and quinine groups.
Dyeing Mechanism of Disperse Dye:

The dyeing of hydrophobic fibres like polyester fibres with disperse dyes may be considered as a
process of dye transfer from liquid solvent (water) to a solid organic solvent (fibre). Disperse dyes
are added to water with a surface active agent to form an aqueous dispersion. The application of
heat to the dye liquor increases the energy of dye molecules and accelerates the dyeing of textile
fibres. Heating of dye liquor swells the fibre to some extent and assists the dye to penetrate the fibre
polymer system. Once taking place within the fibre polymer system, the dye molecules become
attached by hydrogen bonds and Van Der Waals’ force.
Classification of Disperse Dyes:
According to Fastness Property:

Group A: These dyes have excellent dyeing properties and good fastness properties.
Group B: These dyes are excellent in high temperature and for carrier dyeing with moderate
fastness.
Group C: These dyes are moderate for carrier and high temperature dyeing with higher fastness
property than group B dyes.
Group D: These dyes are of excellent fastness to heat but for dyeing properties on carrier method.
According to Energy Requirement:
Low energy dyes: These dyes are used to dye with carrier. For dyeing 77°C temperature is required.
They have extremely poor resistance to sublimation.
Medium energy dyes: These dyes are used to dye mostly in between temperature 104°C-110°C
which provides better sublimation fastness than that of low energy dyes.
High energy dyes: These dyes are used to dye at temperature above 129°C and are suitable for
continuous dyeing. They provide all round fastness properties.
Prepared by Sumon Mozumder,

M.Engg. (BUET), M.Sc.Engg. (Textile), B.Sc.Tech (BUTex)
Assistant Professor, Department of Textile Engineering
Application Methods of Disperse Dyes:
 Method N: Normal dyeing method. Dyeing temperature is between 80-100°C.

 Normal NC method: Method of dyeing at normal temperature with carriers. Dyeing
temperature is between 80-100°C.
 Method HT: High temperature dyeing method. Dyeing temperature is between 105-140°C.
 Method T: Thermasol dyeing method. Dyeing temperature is between 180-220°C, continuous
method of dyeing.
 Pad roll method: Semi continuous dyeing method.
 Pad steam method: Continuous dyeing method.
Factors Considered for Selection of a Method:

1. Availability of dyeing machine.
2. Required colour effect (dark/medium/light).
3. Required colour fastness.
4. Type of material to be dyed.
5. Cost of dye, chemicals and auxiliaries.
6. Overall economy of the system.
7. Dyeing temperature.
Dispersing Agent:
Disperse dyes are insoluble in water and form aqueous dispersion in water. Since they are water
insoluble, they will give uneven dyeing if they are directly used in dye bath. So, to ensure uniform
and trouble free dyeing the dye should be present in dye bath in a uniform and very fine form and
should give a stable dispersion. This is the reason for which a special chemical is used in dye bath
named dispersing agent. They should be effective under dyeing conditions, stable to hard water,
high temperature and other dyeing assistants. For example, alkali sulphates, alkyl aryl sulphonates
etc. are some surface active agents which are recommended as dispersing agents in disperse dyeing.
Reduction Cleaning:
In case of dark shade dyeing, we have to use more amounts of dye and chemicals. But, these
chemicals should be removed from fabric after dyeing. For this reason, a special process is used in
case of disperse dyeing. This cleaning process is called reduction cleaning. By reduction cleaning,
surface dye molecules or unfixed dye molecules are stripped and this in turn results in level dyeing.
Reduction cleaning also improves wash fastness property of textile material.
Carriers:
It has been established that certain hydrocarbons, phenols, amino acids, amides, alcohols, esters,
ketones, nitriles etc. accelerate the rate of dyeing polyester fibre with disperse dyes from aqueous
medium at temperature up to 100°C. These dyeing assistants alter the dispersing properties of the
dyes and the physical characteristics of the fibre so that more dye can be transferred from the dye
bath to the fibre. These are called carriers and are necessary for dyeing polyester fibres at the
normal pressure and temperature below 100°C to increase the dyeing rate and to permit dye
migration within the fibre.
Dyeing of polyester fabric with disperse dye in carrier method:
The extreme crystalline nature of polyester fibres creates problems in obtaining dark shades by
conventional dyeing methods even at high temperature. The carriers are found to assist the disperse

dyes to enter the polyester polymer, enabling dark shades to be produced. The carriers swell the
polyester fibres, increase inter polymer space and let the dye molecules to enter the polymer system
easily.
Advantages of Carrier Dyeing:
1) In conventional dyeing method, the extremely crystalline polyester fibres cannot be dyed in
deep shade. But, by using carrier we can get medium to dark shade in boiling temperature.
2) Materials can be dyed with simple equipments at atmospheric pressure and temperature
below 100°C.
3) Rate of dyeing can be increased by using carriers.
4) Can be dyed quickly by using carriers.
5) Improves fastness properties of fabric except light fastness.
Disadvantages of Carrier Dyeing:
1) Carriers add to production cost of dyeing. Firstly, for dyeing it is used which is costly and
secondly for its removal alkali is required.
2) Carriers are unhygienic and toxic. It creates skin diseases.
3) Some dyeing machines may create carrier spot.
4) Carriers affect the light fastness property of dyed material. This effect may be reduced by
treating the material with hot air for 30 min.
Dyeing of Polyester Fabric in High Temp Dyeing Method:

In high temperature dyeing method either material or liquor should be circulated. Otherwise dye
molecules will not penetrate inside the material. They will stay on surface only. In this method,
temperature is kept in between 105-140°C and pressure is kept from 0 to 170 kPa. This method is
also known as pressure dyeing which is used for highly crystalline synthetic fibres and their blends.
This technique causes the fibre to swell even more than which achieved at 100°C temperature so
that dye molecules penetrate the fibre polymer system. It eliminates the need of carriers.
Dyeing of Polyester Fabric in Thermasol Dyeing Method:

Thermasol method is a continuous method of dyeing with disperses dye. Here dyeing is performed
at high temperature like 180-220°C in a closed vessel. Here, time of dyeing should be maintained
very carefully to get required shade and to retain required fabric strength.
Advantages of thermosol dyeing:
1. This process is useful for dyeing thermoplastic fibres like polyesters, nylon, acrylic etc.
2. It is a continuous dyeing process with high production rate.
3. The process is non-toxic and no carrier is used.
4. Less shrinkage occurs.
5. No additional problem of remaining carrier with alkali.
6. Excellent dye utilization (75-90%) is achieved.
7. Large yardages can be dyed economically.
Disadvantages:
1. Shade may be changed by sublimation.
2. Special closed vessel m/c is required.
3. Loss of strength of fabric occurs if temperature and time is not maintained carefully.
4. M/c cost is high so initial capital should be high.
5. Small amount of fabrics cannot be dyed. At least, 1000 yards of fabrics is required for
dyeing.


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Disperse Dye

Properties of Disperse Dyes:

Dyeing Mechanism of Disperse Dye:

Classification of Disperse Dyes:

According to Fastness Property:

Prepared by Sumon Mozumder,

 Method N: Normal dyeing method. Dyeing temperature is between 80-100°C.

Factors Considered for Selection of a Method:

Dyeing of polyester fabric with disperse dye in carrier method:

Prepared by Sumon Mozumder,

Dyeing of Polyester Fabric in High Temp Dyeing Method:

Dyeing of Polyester Fabric in Thermasol Dyeing Method:

Prepared by Sumon Mozumder,

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