Textile Glossary

Color pigment

Definition

Color pigments are insoluble, finely dispersed solids that impart color to a substrate by physical incorporation, without forming a chemical bond with it. They consist of inorganic compounds (e.g., metal oxides, metal salts) or organic molecules and differ fundamentally from dyes in their insolubility in the application medium. The coloring effect results from the selective absorption and reflection of light at the pigment particles.

Use in the textile industry

In the textile industry, color pigments are used primarily in pigment printing and pigment dyeing, where the pigment particles are mechanically fixed to the fiber surface by means of a binder. This process is suitable for virtually all fiber types, since no chemical affinity to the substrate is required. Pigment applications are characterized by good light fastness; however, they can affect the handle of the woven fabric and require carefully balanced binder systems to ensure adequate rub fastness.

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Frequently asked question

Dyes are soluble in the application medium and form a chemical or physicochemical bond with the textile fiber, allowing the color to penetrate deep into the fiber. Color pigments, by contrast, are insoluble and are fixed to the fiber surface only by means of a binder, without forming a chemical bond. This results in different fastness properties as well as different requirements for the dyeing or printing process.

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