Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Others / Difference Between Pigment and Dye

Difference Between Pigment and Dye

November 2, 2011 Posted by Olivia

Pigment vs Dye
 

Pigments and dyes are materials used to color other substances. Both pigments and dyes have been used since time immemorial to color clothes and other substances used by human beings. Pigment is a coloring substance usually in the form of an insoluble powder that makes paint when added to water and oil. A dye is also a coloring material though it is soluble in water and makes a mixture that can be used to color various substances such as clothes, baskets and other material. However, it is difficult to differentiate between the two for most people. This article will highlight their properties to make the differences clear to the readers.

Pigment

A pigment is a coloring substance that makes the color of product look different because of its absorption of certain wavelengths. There are many substances having this property of selective wavelength absorption though only a few are chosen by humans, to work as colorants. Pigments that produce long lasting results are desired. There are some that produce temporary color change and these pigments are called fugitives. Fugitives fade away with time. Pigments are mostly used to color foods, cosmetics, plastics, paints and inks.

Dye

Dyes are substances found naturally and made synthetically too, and having the ability to change the color of the material over which they are applied. Mankind has been aware of dyes since ancient times. In earlier times, most of the dyes were obtained from plant sources. Roots, wood, stem, bark, and leaves of plants were used to provide color that was applied on clothes and other substances, to change their color tone. Indigo and saffron are renowned dyes used by human beings since ancient times. Synthetic dyes were produced for the first time in the 19th century and since then; thousands of synthetic dyes have been produced.

 

What is the difference between Pigment and Dye?

• Pigment is insoluble, whereas dye is soluble in water.

• There are thousands of dyes including natural and synthetic dyes, whereas pigments are comparatively smaller in number.

• The molecules of dyes are very large in comparison to molecules of pigments which are very small in size.

• Dyes are colorants that work on the principle of selective wavelength absorption while pigments work on principle of light scattering as well as selective absorption of wavelength.

• Dyes are organic in nature whereas pigments are inorganic substances (some of these are highly toxic).

• When used in printing inks, dye based inks make available huge variety whereas pigment based inks have rather limited options.

• Dyes based inks have a shorter life span whereas pigment based inks have a longer life span and are much more durable.

 

Related posts:

Difference Between Color and Dye Difference Between Debit Card and Credit Card Difference Between Marble and Granite Difference Between Prom Dress and Wedding Dress Difference Between Pink and StrawberryDifference Between Color Pink and Color Strawberry

Filed Under: Others Tagged With: colorant, colorants, coloring materials, dye, dye vs, dyes, dyes vs, fugitives, pigment, Pigment vs, pigments, Pigments vs

About the Author: Olivia

Olivia is a Graduate in Electronic Engineering with HR, Training & Development background and has over 15 years of field experience.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Apes and Monkeys

What is the Difference Between Valvular and Non-valvular AF

What is the Difference Between Valvular and Non-valvular AF

What is the Difference Between Ganglion Cyst and RA Nodule

What is the Difference Between Ganglion Cyst and RA Nodule

What is the Difference Between NAAT and PCR

What is the Difference Between NAAT and PCR

Difference Between Clever and Wise and Intelligent and Smart

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Osteoporosis and Scoliosis
  • What is the Difference Between Saree and Half Saree
  • What is the Difference Between Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia
  • What is the Difference Between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Ketoacidosis
  • What is the Difference Between Sciatica and Spinal Stenosis
  • What is the Difference Between Metatarsalgia and Morton’s Neuroma
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.