The different types of dyes used for polyester fabric

Disperse Dyes:

Disperse dyes are the most commonly used type of dye for polyester fabrics due to their compatibility with the hydrophobic nature of polyester fibers.

These dyes are typically dispersed in a water-insoluble form, such as a fine powder or microcrystals, and require high temperatures to dissolve and penetrate the polyester fibers.

Disperse dyes work by diffusing into the amorphous regions of the polyester polymer matrix and forming strong chemical bonds, resulting in excellent colorfastness and resistance to fading, especially to sunlight and washing.

They are available in a wide range of colors and can achieve vibrant and intense shades on polyester fabric.

Disperse dyes are suitable for various dyeing methods, including high-temperature dyeing, exhaust dyeing, and printing.

Pigment Dyes:

Pigment dyes differ from other types of dyes as they do not chemically bond with the fibers but instead adhere to the surface of the fabric through mechanical bonding.

These dyes consist of insoluble color particles dispersed in a binder solution, creating a thick, paste-like consistency.

Pigment dyes are commonly used for printing and coating applications on polyester fabrics, such as in digital printing, screen printing, and direct garment printing.

They offer a wide range of colors and can produce opaque and vibrant hues on polyester fabric.

Pigment-dyed polyester fabrics tend to have a softer hand-feel compared to fabrics dyed with other types of dyes, and they may also exhibit a matte or slightly textured appearance.

While pigment dyes provide good colorfastness to washing, they may be less resistant to fading from exposure to sunlight compared to disperse dyes.

Reactive Dyes (less common for polyester):

Reactive dyes are traditionally used for natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk but can also be applied to polyester through special processes.

To dye polyester with reactive dyes, the fabric is often pretreated with a suitable chemical agent to create active sites for dye fixation.

Reactive dyes chemically react with these active sites on the polyester fibers, forming covalent bonds and resulting in good colorfastness and vibrant colors.

However, reactive dyeing methods for polyester are less common due to the complexity of the process and the availability of more suitable disperse dyes.

Polyester fabrics dyed with reactive dyes may exhibit altered texture and hand-feel compared to those dyed with disperse dyes, as the chemical reactions can affect the surface properties of the fibers.