What are Dyes? What are Pigments? What is the Difference?

Dyes and pigments are substances that impart colour to a material. The term colorant is often used for both dyes and pigments. The major difference between dyes and pigments is the solubility. Both dyes and pigments are coloured because they absorb some wavelengths of light more than others. In contrast to dyes, pigments are insoluble and have no affinity for the substrate.

Dyes, also known as colorants in which the colouring matter is dissolved in liquid, are absorbed into the material to which they are applied.

Pigments, on the other hand, consist of extremely fine particles of ground colouring matter suspended in liquid which forms a paint film that actually bonds to the surface it is applied to. Many materials selectively absorb certain wavelengths of light. Materials that humans have chosen and developed for use as pigments usually have special properties that make them ideal for colouring other materials. A pigment must have a high tinting strength relative to the materials it colours. It must be stable in solid form at ambient temperatures.

The major differences between dyes and pigments are :
- Dyes are Soluble in many liquids; Whereas Pigments are Insoluble in water and most of the solvents.
- Dyes are Available in large number; Whereas Pigments are available comparatively lesser in number.
- Lower dyes are very much vulnerable. Lights destroy colored objects by breaking open electronic bonding within the molecule; Whereas Traditionally pigments have been found to be more lightfast than dyes.
- Pigments have very high resistance compared to Dyes.
- Pigment lasts longer than dyes.
- Pigment requires the help if a binder for gluing. Whereas Dye molecules have electrostatic charges that serve as a method for attaching the dye to the concrete.

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