disperse dye - a dye that is almost totally insoluble in water Disperse dyes exist in the dye bath as a suspension

or dispersion of microscopic particles, with only a tiny amount in true solution at any time. They are the only dyes that are effective for normal polyester. Some types are used for nylon and acetate. Polyester is dyed with disperse dyes by boiling with carrier chemicals, or by heating the liquor to about 130C, which requires elevated pressure (like a pressure cooker). Thermosol dyeing, where the fabric is padded with dye liquor then dried and heated to about 200C for about 90 seconds, is also used for polyester and for coloring the polyester component of poly-cotton blends. Disperse dyes on polyester are generally very washfast and resistant to bleaching. Nylon can be dyed at or below 100C without the use of a carrier, but washfastness is only moderate. Disperse dyes are also used for sublimation printing of synthetic fibres, and are the colorant used in crayons and inks sold for making iron -on transfers. {Rev3.0.0r}