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Amazing Plastic Dyes Its vast applications and properties

Color, the most important part of the lives of humans since generations and ages is

once such thing that gives meaning, existence and separation of one thing from

another. Nothing in this world can be called as beautiful and attractive without the

presence of colors. Same lies true when we color our world with paints or apply color to

different things through man-made, industrial methods and resources.

Earlier, application of paints to make an object attractive has been done from several

years in conventional methods and procedures, which includes stages like sanding,

priming and then coating the surface with the respective coloring agent. However, the

drawback of using these coloring methods and colorants on plastic products

deteriorates plastic under the favorable conditions. In the fast developing technological

world, dyes and pigments are the two revolutionary colorants that had been discovered

to render excellent finish and luster to all kinds of materials. These dyes are

predominantly used in the plastic industry all across the world because of their exclusive

benefits like durability, heat resistance and transparent capability.

If we talk about the dyes that are used in plastic industries, then one thing needs to be

kept in mind is that these dyes should be strong enough to show good heat stability.

Along with that these must be transparent. Pigments are a better choice as compared to

dyes for use with polyefins as dyes tend to migrate in polyefins. And with their

opacifying ability and broader chroma, they are preferred over dyes as a colorant. The

nature of pigment is also a very huge factor. Depending upon the processing

temperature requirements, the choice of organic or inorganic pigments is made.

Another important thing that determines the choice of the colorant is the application of

the plastic. If the plastic is going to be used in food industry, then toxicity needs to be

checked. And a slight miscalculation in the choice can alter the properties of the plastic

and prove to be very harmful for the industry. Hence, the choice of a colorant becomes

so vital.

Being solvent based dyes, plastic dyes exhibit a good solubility in polar and organic

solvents. Additionally they have an extremely good light and heat fastness and are quite

stable. The fact that the dye is available in a wide range of shades and can be put todiverse industrial uses also contributes immensely towards the popularity of plastic dye.

These dyes also exhibit a relatively low toxicity in solvents, making them safe for use in

products used for storing food items, medicines etc.

One of the big advantages that plastics have over metals is the option of providing

molded-in color. While many large parts are still painted in order to achieve the desired

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aesthetics, even in these cases the eventual goal is the elimination of the paint line in

favor of color that is incorporated di rectly into the base polymer.

It is a very long and strenuous process to be completely dissolved to its last bits. Till that

time, it adds to the pollution in a number of was. Not only does it increase air pollution

due to the toxic gases released, it also harm the water bodies in which the pollutedparticles will enter. Additives, including colorants, for bioplastics are being widely

investigated. Of particular interest are colorants that have no adverse effect on health or

the environment and do not compromise bioplastics' compliance with compostability

standards.

The unique advantage of plastic dyes is that the color seeps deep into the layers of the

material, providing uniform coloring to it from within. As a result, it gives long life to the

color aspect that cannot be scratched or peeled away.