Morfast® Liquid Dyes
Development of Liquid Dyes for Ink Application
Morfast Liquid Dyes were developed as clean, easy to handle, single phase liquid alternatives to commonly used powder dyes used in writing instrument inks. Synthetic powder dyes have been around since the mid 1850’s and through the years were used for coloration of everything from textiles to petroleum products to inks. Synthetic powder dyes, although successfully used for over 150 years had some inherent flaws as the industry grew and new technologies evolved. Solubility, ease of use airborne dye particles, end-user handling and employee health were of major concern. The 1960’s brought development and commercialization of true liquid dye technology to counter the flaws specific to the petroleum industry. The successful transition from powder to liquid dyes sparked ideas for other industries.
The Writing Instrument market, specifically felt tip marker also used powder dyes and were predominantly divided into 2 types: Industrial Marker Pens and Domestic Marker Pens. Industrial Marker Pens held the majority position and were composed of xylene-based inks sold in aluminum pen barrels (some are still sold today). They were designed for use in industrial type applications and not conducive for use in a home, or school environment due to toxicity and odor of xylene. The smaller domestic marker Pens were composed of water-based inks, safe for home and school use, they had no odor, but lacked good writing characteristics, had limited cap-off stability and the ink dried up fast making the pen useless. Through collaboration with the pen industry and with OSHA’s input, n-propyl alcohol was identified and chosen as an approved solvent for future ink development.
Initial Morfast® research centered on incorporating known Liquid Petroleum dyes into alcohol required light fastness properties. Additionally, most dyes tested were too dull for use in inks. Extensive research followed with various metallization techniques studied. This precursor to Morfast® Black 101. Next came Morfast® Yellow 101 and although not a metal Morfast® colors was developed for ink applications. This includes shaded versions that were specifically developed to meet shade and solubility specifications called for in the marketplace.
Yellow 101
Product Code: 47-101
CI Number: Solvent Yellow 147
Class: Azo
Yellow 102
Product Code: 47-102
CI Number: Solvent Yellow 161
Class: Metal Complex Azo
Brown 100
Product Code: 47-300
CI Number: Solvent Brown 52
Class: Metal Complex Azo
Red 101
Product Code: 47-401
CI Number: Solvent Red 68
Class: Azo
Red 102
Product Code: 47-402
CI Number: Solvent Red 208
Class: Metal Complex Azo
Red 105
Product Code: 47-405
CI Number: Proprietary Blend
Class: Azo, Xanthene
Red 111
Product Code: 47-411
CI Number: Proprietary Blend
Class: Azo, Xanthene
Violet 101
Product Code: 47-501
CI Number: Proprietary Blend
Class: Mixed Xanthene
Blue 101
Product Code: 47-601
CI Number: Proprietary Blend
Class: Phthalocyanine
Blue 104
Product Code: 47-604
CI Number: Proprietary Blend
Class: Phthalocyanine
Black 101
Product Code: 47-801
CI Number: Solvent Black 48
Class: Metal Complex Azo
Black 108
Product Code: 47-808
CI Number: Proprietary Blend
Class: Metal Complex Azo
Black 112
Product Code: 47-812
CI Number: Proprietary Blend
Class: Blend
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