Difference Between Dyes and Pigments

The Difference Between Dyes and Pigments:

Pigments

These not only give the paint its colour and finish, but also serve to protect the surface

underneath from corrosion and weathering as well as helping to hold the paint together. Both

inorganic and organic substances are used, with the inorganic ones being in general cheaper

but with less clear colours. Special pigments can be used to give metallic finishes (for

example for car bodies), to be hard wearing (for road markings) etc.

Dyes

Dyes, on the other hand, are colored substances which are soluble or go into
solution during the application process and impart color by selective absorption of
light. In contrast to dyes, whose coloristic properties are almost exclusively defined
by their chemical structure, the properties of pigments also depend on the physical
characteristics of its particles

Content	Dyes	Pigments
Solubility	Dye is soluble in water, completely dissolving.	Pigments are not soluble in water.
Number	Available in large number	Comparatively lesser in number
Fastness Properties	Lower dyes are very much vulnerable. Lights destroy colored objects by breaking open electronic bonding within the molecule	Traditionally pigments have been found to be more lightfast than dyes
Binding Agent	No binding agent is required in case of dye	Binding agent is required in case of pigment.
Affinity	Dye has a special affinity for the fiber which allows it to stick to the fiber.	Pigments tend to stay on the top of the fiber instead of soaking in.
Combustible Properties	Combustible	Non-combustible
Chemical Composition	Organic compounds	Normally inorganic compounds, often involving heavy toxic metals
Diffusion	Dye diffusion in fabric.	Pigment diffusion on the fabric.
Cost	It is costly as these prepared chemically.	It is cheap as these found by mineral origin.