The industry of dyes and pigments is colourful and ever-evolving. It has witnessed manifold growth in terms of technology and application. A key factor that influenced this growth was its ability to adapt with time, and offer excellent advantages to manufacturers and users alike.
The ideation of dispersion pigments came as one such improvement in the manufacturing industry. It’s a known fact, that pigments impart deeper colours to the products as compared to dyes. However, its pigmentation is influenced by many factors- proper dispersion, granule size, and oil absorption. If the pigment fails to disperse properly, there’s a high chance that it might not impart proper colour.
Thus, this article aims to provide a clear distinction between classic pigments and disperse dyes.
What are pigments?
Pigments are materials that are used to impart colours2. They are particularly preferred for their permanence and stability. By properties, classic pigments are insoluble in the medium in which they are used primarily.1
Since pigments are available in granule form as dry powders, their primary particles exist in various state of aggregation and agglomeration that amplify the variation in colour properties.
What is dispersion?
Simply put, dispersion is the process of wetting, separating, and distributing pigment particles in a medium. Each pigment has its own oil absorption capacity, which plays an important factor in pigment dispersion. This requires a carefully calculated pigment to oil ratio to ensure that the pigment exhibits highest pigmentation and a stronger oil absorption. Oil absorption is an important factor that defines consistency across the lines of colours in lipstick and foundation manufacturing.
Why are dispersion dyes needed?
Dispersions are in-organic and organic pigments dispersed in liquid media. Usually, pigments are dispersed in water or oil to improve their appearance in cosmetic finished product. This reduces one step in the manufacturing process. Dispersion pigments can directly be put to use without pre-dispersion or milling before use. This ensures uniform pigmentation and consistency throughout the shades.
Making the choice.
Indeed, the demands are growing. It is now important for dye and pigment manufacturers to look for easier ways and provide best quality products to the end users. In such a scenario, dispersions come as blessing. Apart from the manufacturing consistency, dispersions are cost-effective. It eliminates additional work such as grinding, mixing, and milling. This also saves additional work-time and investment for machinery, space. Dispersion also eliminate the risk of cross-contamination, reduce efforts required for cleaning, effluent treatment, dusting etc. which arise due to the use of powder pigments.
Neelikon, as a manufacturer dyes and pigments has evolved with ages. With moving times, it has introduced multiple technologies and innovation in the market which have won several accolades. In disperse dyes and pigments too, Neelikon offers a wide variety of pigments to suit multiple industry demands.
Thus, dispersing colours to its best beauty!
* Kindly check for references as mentioned at the footnotes
Although based on our general experience, the information presented herein is believed to be reliable, Neelikon makes no representation or guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information. Due to various factors that are outside our control, we cannot accept liability from reliance on this information under any circumstances.
Ref 1: https://www.scconline.org/the-importance-of-dispersion/
Ref 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigment#Manufacturing_and_industrial_standard
