Special pigments, classification

Several types of dyes or colorants do not "fit" logically into the other classifications and have been included in this special classification. Disperse dyes are small polar dye molecules which can be used to dye thermoplastic fibers such as triacetate, nylon, polyester, and other synthetic fibers. Solvent dyes are dyes which are specially formulated so that they can be applied from solvents other than water. Pigments are not dyes at all, but rather colorants that must be incorporated in the fiber during spinning or fixed on the surface of the fiber by use of a polymer adhesive. Natural dyes are complex mixtures derived from natural sources which can be placed in a number of the above classifications. 

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