Additives and Ingredients, their Composition, Functions, Strategies for Use

DIRECT DYES

Composition: The "direct dye" classification in the Color Index system refers to various
planar, highly conjugated molecular structures that also contain one or more anionic
sulfonate group. It is because of these sulfonate groups that the molecules are soluble in
water. Though most direct dyes still can be obtained in powder form, it is increasingly
popular to receive them as liquid concentrates. The advantage of concentrates is that they
are easy to handle and meter. The disadvantage is that the surfactants and co-solvents
needed to keep the dye concentrates stable may interfere with retention and sizing in the
case of very deeply colored grades.

Functions: Coloration of paper, tint and shade control, correction of two-sided paper
color.

Strategies for Use: Where you add the dye depends on such factors as the tintural
strength of the desired paper color, the dye fixation strategy, and the color control
strategy. Those responsible for process control will always advocate adding either all or
some of the dye to the thin stock, within seconds upstream of where the stock comes out
of the headbox. This practice can eliminate most of the time delay that is always a
headache for online control strategies. But thin-stock addition might not give as high
retention as addition to the thick stock. In some cases, especially in the past, it has been
common to produce very deeply dyed products by adding the dye in a chest, giving the
dye a long time to penetrate into the fiber cell walls. Other ways to achieve high retention
of dyes include the use of highly cationic polyelectrolytes, alum, or polyaluminum
chloride. The best efficiency of the colorant usually is achieved by adding the fixative
ahead of the dye. However, the reverse order may give better rub-fastness or water-
fastness. Another promising strategy is to add some cationic direct dye at a separate
addition point upstream of the addition point from the (anionic) direct dye.

Cautions: The main hazards in handling of dyes are aesthetic; it is easy to stain hands
and clothing. Consult the MSDS for other hazards.