Unit 1

Topics covered
Introduction to color (Video)
Color perception in the human eye
(Video)
Definition of color
Introduction to dyes
Mechanism of the affinity of dyes

Definition of color
Color or colour is the visual
perceptual property corresponding in
humans to the categories called red,
green, blue and others.
Color derives from the spectrum of
light (distribution of light energy
versus wavelength) interacting in the
eye with the spectral sensitivities of
the light receptors.

Dye
By definition Dyes can be said to be
coloured, ionizing and aromatic
organic compounds which shows an
affinity towards the substrate to
which it is being applied.
It is generally applied in a solution
that is aqueous.

Theory of dyeing
The general theory of dyeing explains the
interaction between dye, fiber, water and dye
auxiliary. More specifically, it explains:
i. Force of repulsion which are developed between the
dye molecules and water and
ii. Force of attraction which are developed between the
dye molecules and fibres.

These forces are responsible for the dye

molecules leaving the aqueous dye liquor
entering and attaching themselves to the
polymers of the fibres

Dye molecules
1. Anionic in which the color is
caused by the anionic part of the dye
molecule;
2. Cationic in which the color is
caused by the cationic part of the
dye molecule;
3. Disperse in which the color is
caused by the whole molecule.

Dyeing on substrates
The dye molecule must be capable of
entering the fiber structure,
The path for the dye molecules is provided
by the intermolecular spaces in the fiber
and once the dye has entered the fiber
structure it becomes firmly attached to
the surface of the molecules either by
purely physical forces (Secondary
Valences) or by chemical combination.

Dyeing process
The dyeing process can thus be considered
as taking place in three phases
(i) Attachment of the dye molecule to the
surface of the fiber
(ii) Penetration into the intermolecular
spaces as well as diffusion through the
fiber &
(iii) Orientation (and fixation) along the
long chain molecules.