What is Pigment?

The colored substance which is insoluble in water or other solvents is called a pigment. Thus the
application of dye and pigment will be different. A dye is applied in the form of a solution, whereas the
pigment is applied in the form of a paste in a drying oil, in which it is insoluble. Pigments are insoluble
powders of very fine particle size, i.u., as small as 0.01 micron, which are used in paints, plastics, rubber,
textiles, inks and other materials to impart color, opaqueness and other desirable properties to the
product. There are various types of pigment and widely used in textile dyeing and printing.

Classification / Types of Pigment:

There are two types of Pigment. They are-

1.Natural pigment.

2.Synthetic pigment.

Natural pigment are divided by two types.

1.Organic pigment (chlorophyl Indigo)

2.Inorganic pigment (inonoxide)

Synthetic pigment also divided by two types.

1.Organic pigment. (litholred, peocockblue etc.)

2.Inorganic pigment. (sulphide, chromate etc.)

Organic pigment are two types. Such as-

1. Natural organic.

 Vegetable organic.
 Animal organic.

2. Synthetic organic.

 Azo.
 Non-azo.

Azo and Non-azo types are given below-

Azo:

1.Pigment dye.

2.Percipited azo.
Non azo:

1.Precipited Basic dyes.

2.Precipited Acid dyes.

3.Phthalocyanic pigment.

4.Quinonoid vat dyes

5.Quinocridine.

Properties / Qualities of a Good Pigment:

 Pigment should have minimum particle sizes (0.2-0.4).

 Pigment should have maximum covering power.
 Pigment should have freely mixing power.
 Pigment should be chemically inert.
 Pigment should have good resistance to chemicals.
 Pigment should be resistance to solvent.
 Pigment should have acceptable brilliance, hardness and stability on dyed and printed goods.
 Pigment should have good wet, light, and abrasion resistance.

Pigment should have good characteristics for excellent dispersion including:

 Particle size and distribution

 Electrical charge
 Specific gravity
 Purity and crystalline structure
 Condition of precipitation
 Should be applied to all fiber
 Should be cheap

Trade / Commercial Names of Pigments:

Name———————–Company—————Country
Acranium—————-Bayer—————–W.Germany
Acron——————–Parckh dye corp——W.Germany
Helizarine—————-BASG, AG————-Germany
Imperon—————–Hoechst—————Germany
Noepralae—————Francolor————–France
Syntrofix—————–Syndex pvt ltd———India
Seabond,Lifebond——-Hdc company———USA
Uses of Pigments:
 Use in natural, synthetic and glass fiber dyeing.
 It is mostly use for printing.
 Use for blended fabric dyeing.
 Use in dope dyeing
 It also used for the coloration of metal, wood, stone, soap, detergent, colored pencil, PVC,
rubber, paper and other surfaces as paint.

Advantages of Using Pigments

 Applicable to all kinds of fibers and fiber blends
 Compound shades are produced with ease
 Easy and cheap process
 Easy shade matching
 Environment friendly
 The full-color range is available

Disadvantages of Using Pigments

 Depth of shade usually limited to light to medium
 Make the fabric stiffer and so uncomfortable
 Sometimes fastness to washing and rubbing is not so good