Solvent Black 3 / Solvent Dyes
s of Solvent Black 3 is its versatility and robust
Technical Information
Color Index: Solvent Black 3
Molecular formula: C29H24N6
CAS No.: 4197-25-5
Solvent Black 3 is bluish black dye. It has excellent heat resistance and light resistance, good migration resistance and high tinting strength with wide application.
Application: used for coloring for plastics, PS, ABS, PMMA, PC, PET, polymer.
Identification Information
Color Index: Solvent Black 3
Molecular formula: C29H24N6
CAS No.: 4197-25-5
Product specification
Appearance Black powder — The fine black powder morphology enables rapid wetting and uniform dispersion in polymer melts, reducing mixing time and energy consumption in twin-screw compounding.
Tinting Strength 100±3% — Consistent tinting strength within ±3% ensures predictable color dosing, preventing costly over-use or under-coloration in high-volume continuous production lines.
Shade Color Similar to the standard — Strict shade matching against certified reference standards eliminates downstream color correction, ensuring first-pass quality in finished injection-molded products.
Ash ≤ 1.0% — Low residue on ignition confirms high organic dye purity, minimizing abrasive wear on processing equipment and preventing surface defects in transparent and translucent applications.
Moisture ≤ 1.0% — Controlled moisture content prevents splay marks, silver streaking, and surface blemishes in injection-molded thermoplastic parts, a common defect when hygroscopic colorants are not properly dried.
Color Differential Value ΔE ≤ 1.0 — A ΔE tolerance of ≤1.0 maintains visual color uniformity across production lots, well within the industrial acceptability threshold (ΔE ≤1.5) for black colorants where the human eye is most sensitive to shade variation.
Bulk density 0.29 g/cm³ — The low bulk density is characteristic of Nigrosine-based dyes and supports dust-minimized handling when used with enclosed gravimetric feeding systems in automated masterbatch production.
Melting point 159-162°C — The sharp melting range indicates high chemical purity with minimal amorphous content, ensuring complete and predictable dissolution behavior in polymer melts above this temperature for uniform color distribution.
Commentary
Solvent Black 3 is bluish black dye. It has excellent heat resistance and light resistance, good migration resistance and high tinting strength with wide application. Solvent Black 3 is used for coloring for plastics, PS, ABS, PMMA, PC, PET, polymer.
Technical Overview — Why Solvent Black 3 Excels
Solvent Black 3 is a bluish-black azine-type solvent dye belonging to the Nigrosine family, prized for its deep jet-black shade and remarkable thermal endurance in polystyrene-based formulations. With heat resistance reaching 300°C in crystal PS under transparent conditions and maintaining 280°C with titanium dioxide loading, SB3 outperforms many conventional black dyes in high-temperature injection molding and extrusion. Its industrial sweet spot lies in PS, HIPS, and ABS applications — including electronic equipment housings, automotive interior trim, and consumer appliance components — where a neutral-to-bluish black tone and processing stability are critical quality requirements. Compared to Solvent Black 5 (Nigrosine spirit-soluble grade), SB3 exhibits better light fastness (grade 7 in PS at 0.05% transparent) and a cooler, bluer undertone that appeals to designers seeking modern, premium-black aesthetics. Unlike Solvent Black 7, which trades heat stability for enhanced solvent solubility, SB3 maintains molecular integrity through the full thermoplastic processing window, making it the reliable workhorse for mass-production coloring of styrenic polymers where batch consistency and heat endurance are paramount.
Heat resistance
| Test Items | PS | ABS | SAN | PMMA | PC | R-PVC | PA6 | PET |
| Heat resistance temperature, ℃
(0.05% dyes, transparent) |
300 | – | – | 280 | – | 260 | – | – |
| Heat resistance temperature, ℃
(0.05% dyes + 0.5% Titanium dioxide) |
280 | – | – | 260 | – | 260 | – | – |
| Migration resistance | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Light fastness (0.05% dyes, transparent) | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Weather resistance | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Acid resistance (in 5% hydrochloric acid solution) | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | – | – |
| Alkali resistance (in 5% caustic soda solution) | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | – | – |
Application Profile
| PS | ● | HIPS | ● | ABS | ● |
| PC | ○ | PVC-R | ● | PMMA | ● |
| SAN | ○ | AS | ● | PA | – |
| PET | ○ |
Note: ●=recommended ○ = potential use – = not recommended
Recommended Dosage
Transparent: 0.03
Non-transparent: 0.05
Packaging
Regular Packaging is in 25kgs paper drum, carton or bag. Products with low density will be packed into 10-20 kgs.
Unmatched Performance with Solvent Black 3
Solvent Black 3 stands out as a premium bluish-black dye offering exceptional characteristics for industrial applications. Known for its excellent heat resistance, this dye is tailor-made for demanding environments where durability and performance are crucial. Its light resistance ensures long-lasting vibrancy, making it ideal for applications requiring consistent color retention over time. Whether you are manufacturing plastics or working with polymers, Solvent Black 3 provides unparalleled reliability combined with high tinting strength.
Top Features to Enhance Your Production
One of the key advantages of Solvent Black 3 is its versatility and robustness. With good migration resistance, this dye ensures that your final products maintain their intended color integrity without unwanted dispersion. Additionally, its high tinting strength guarantees bold, saturated hues even in minimal concentrations, reducing the need for excessive usage and boosting cost-effectiveness.
The dye is compatible with a wide range of materials including PS (Polystyrene), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate), PC (Polycarbonate), PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), and other polymers. This broad compatibility opens doors for applications across multiple industries, lending flexibility and adaptability to your production processes.
Applications That Fit Your Needs
Solvent Black 3 serves as the ideal solution for coloring plastics and polymers, giving your products vibrant bluish-black tones with precision. Industries producing automotive parts, electronics housings, household items, and even packaging materials can benefit from this dye’s superior characteristics. The versatility in materials such as PS, ABS, and PET ensures your creative or functional needs are effectively met without compromising quality or performance.
Whether you need a high-performing dye for aesthetic appeal or functional reliability, Solvent Black 3 is designed to meet your exacting requirements. Its balance of heat resistance, light resistance, and migration control provides a dependable choice for manufacturers aiming to create impactful, durable products.
Unmatched Performance in Heat and Light Resistance
Solvent Black 3 is a high-quality bluish-black dye designed to meet diverse coloring needs. Renowned for its excellent heat resistance and light resistance, this dye ensures durability and stability under challenging conditions. Whether exposed to high temperatures or sunlight, Solvent Black 3 maintains its rich hue, making it a reliable solution for applications requiring long-lasting vibrancy.
Exceptional Migration Resistance and Tinting Strength
One of the most notable advantages of Solvent Black 3 is its superior migration resistance. This feature prevents the dye from bleeding or fading, ensuring consistent coloring over time. Additionally, its high tinting strength allows for robust and deep color saturation, even with lower concentrations, optimizing your production efficiency while delivering outstanding visual results.
Wide Application Across Plastics and Polymers
Solvent Black 3 demonstrates impressive versatility, making it suitable for coloring a wide array of materials. From plastics such as PS (Polystyrene), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), and PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate) to polymers like PC (Polycarbonate) and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), this dye performs exceptionally well. Its compatibility across varied substrates provides manufacturers with a dependable solution tailored to meet their unique requirements.
Whether you’re enhancing the aesthetic appeal of plastics or coloring advanced polymers, Solvent Black 3 is the ultimate choice for achieving consistent and durable results. With its heat-resistant, light-resistant, and migration-proof properties, it’s evident why Solvent Black 3 remains a top choice for professionals seeking high-performance coloring solutions.
Why Choose Honor Pigments?
- 🌍 Global Export Expertise — Trusted by customers in 40+ countries for consistent quality and reliable supply
- ✅ Strict Quality Control — ISO 9001 certified with batch-to-batch consistency and zero-defect policy
- 💰 OEM Production Advantage — Competitive pricing without compromising pigment performance
- 🧪 Technical Support — Free color matching, formulation advice and sample testing before bulk order
📩 Need more details?
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Frequently Asked Questions — Solvent Black 3
What is the difference between Solvent Black 3 and carbon black for plastics coloring?
Carbon black is a pigment (insoluble particles) that provides opacity, UV protection, and electrical conductivity but can affect mechanical properties at high loadings and cause abrasion on processing equipment. Solvent Black 3 is a soluble dye that dissolves molecularly in the polymer matrix, delivering translucent-to-transparent bluish-black shades without impacting melt flow, mechanical strength, or causing mold wear. For transparent PS applications requiring deep black with no haze, SB3 is the technically superior choice. For opaque, UV-stabilized outdoor applications, carbon black remains preferred.
Can Solvent Black 3 be used in PET bottle preform coloring?
Solvent Black 3 has limited suitability for PET bottle preforms. The dye can withstand PET processing temperatures (260-280°C) in short residence times, but its migration resistance in PET is rated as moderate rather than excellent. For critical PET packaging applications — especially food and beverage — where absolute non-migration is required, Honor Pigments recommends evaluating pigment-based alternatives or conducting comprehensive migration testing specific to your formulation and end-use conditions.
What causes the bluish undertone in Solvent Black 3 compared to neutral or brownish blacks?
The bluish undertone arises from the azine chromophore structure (C29H24N6) in the Nigrosine molecular family, which absorbs strongly in the red-orange region of the visible spectrum and reflects more blue wavelengths. This is visually perceived as a “cool” or “jet” black rather than a warm/brownish black typical of carbon-based pigments. The degree of bluish undertone can be fine-tuned by adjusting the dye-to-polymer ratio — lower concentrations (0.02-0.03%) enhance the bluish cast, while higher loadings (0.05%+) produce a more neutral deep black.
What is the recommended dosage of Solvent Black 3 for transparent PS coloration?
For transparent PS applications, the recommended dosage is 0.03% (0.3 g per kg of resin), which delivers a rich bluish-black transparent shade. For opaque PS formulations with titanium dioxide (0.5% TiO₂), increase the dosage to 0.05% to compensate for the light-scattering effect of the white pigment. Always conduct a small-scale trial at your target dosage before full production, as shade perception can vary with part thickness and mold surface finish.