disperse dye

chemical compound

Also known as: nonionic dye

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Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

Disperse dyes are insoluble dyes used in a dispersed form, typically in water, for dyeing synthetic fibers like acetate rayon and PET. These dyes are crucial for hydrophobic synthetic fibers where direct dyeing is difficult.12

The dyeing process involves immersing the fabric in an aqueous dispersion of these insoluble dyes. The dye then transfers into the fiber, forming a solid solution. This transfer can be aided by carriers or by dyeing at higher temperatures under pressure. The rapid increase in production of PET fibers in the 1970s led to a significant growth in the use of disperse dyes, as PET can only be dyed effectively with small disperse dyes.2

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azo dye
…anthraquinone vat dyes and some disperse dyes are also azo compounds; the latter are not water-soluble but can be suspended in water by soap and in that state are adsorbed from the suspension by cellulose acetate fibres.
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…anthraquinone vat dyes and some disperse dyes are also azo compounds; the latter are not water-soluble but can be suspended in water by soap and in that state are adsorbed from the suspension by cellulose acetate fibres.
Read More

dye
Disperse dyeing
Penetration of the fabric by the dye is more difficult with the hydrophobic synthetic fibres of acetate rayon, PET, and acrylics, so an alternate dyeing technique is needed. These synthetic fabrics are dyed by immersion in an aqueous dispersion of insoluble dyes, whereby…
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Penetration of the fabric by the dye is more difficult with the hydrophobic synthetic fibres of acetate rayon, PET, and acrylics, so an alternate dyeing technique is needed. These synthetic fabrics are dyed by immersion in an aqueous dispersion of insoluble dyes, whereby…
Read More

textile
Types of dyes
Disperse dyes are suspensions of finely divided insoluble, organic pigments used to dye such hydrophobic fibres as polyesters, nylon, and cellulose acetates.
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Disperse dyes are suspensions of finely divided insoluble, organic pigments used to dye such hydrophobic fibres as polyesters, nylon, and cellulose acetates.
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