Acid Dyes are applied from acidic solutions, and are very effective at dying textiles especiallythose of protein fibers such as wool, silk or mohair.

Acid dyes are thought to fix to fibers by hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forces and ionicbonding. Animal protein fibers and synthetic Nylon fibers contain many cationic sites thereforethere is an attraction of anionic dye molecule to a cationic site on the fiber. The strength(fastness) of this bond is related to the desire/ chemistry of the dye to remain dissolved in water over fixation to the fiber. Acid dyes may also be used in wood stain applications.

The chemistry of acid dyes is quite complex. Dyes are normally very large aromatic molecules consisting of many linked rings. Acid dyes usually have a sulphonyl or amino group on the molecule making them soluble in water. Water is the medium in which dyeing takes place.

Given the complex nature of Acid Dyes, and the careful chemical considerations for eachapplication please contact us to review your specific needs.