Solvent Blue 104 / Solvent Dyes
s: (1) High-concentration stock solutions can be p
Technical Information
Color Index: Solvent Blue 104
Molecular formula: C32H30N2O2
CAS No.: 116-75-6
Solvent Blue 104 — High-Performance Reddish-Blue Solvent Dye for Engineering Plastics & PET Fiber
Solvent Blue 104 is an anthraquinone-based dark reddish-blue solvent dye designed for the most demanding polymer coloring applications where transparency, thermal stability, and migration resistance must be achieved simultaneously. With a molecular weight of 470.6 g/mol and a melting point of 240°C, SB104 delivers 300°C heat resistance across PS, ABS, SAN, PMMA, and PC at 0.05% loading — matching or exceeding most pigment-grade blues (PB15:3, PB29) in thermal performance while providing complete molecular dissolution and zero haze in amorphous thermoplastics.
Its most distinctive property is universal Grade 5 migration resistance across all eight tested polymers (PS, ABS, SAN, PMMA, PC, R-PVC, PA6, PET) — a rare achievement among solvent dyes, where migration is typically the limiting factor in long-term applications. Combined with Grade 7–8 lightfastness in PS, ABS, and R-PVC, and exceptional solubility in dichloromethane (240 g/L), Solvent Blue 104 enables high-concentration liquid dosing systems that are impractical with less soluble alternatives.
Primary industrial applications include: automotive interior components (ABS, PC/ABS blends), consumer electronics housings (PS, HIPS), optical lens tinting (PMMA), synthetic fiber spin-dyeing (PET, PA), and rigid PVC profiles where acid and alkali resistance (Grade 5 in both) are essential for chemical exposure environments. In the printing ink sector, SB104 is valued for security printing, decorative laminates, and solvent-based flexographic inks where its high solubility in chlorinated solvents enables press-ready formulations at concentrations unreachable with other blue dyes.
Compared to Solvent Blue 35 and Solvent Blue 36, Solvent Blue 104 offers superior heat resistance (300°C vs. 250–280°C) and significantly better migration resistance. Compared to Pigment Blue 15:3 (phthalocyanine blue), SB104 provides complete transparency and zero nucleation in polyolefins but lacks the weather resistance required for exterior applications. Compared to Solvent Blue 101, SB104 delivers a redder shade with higher tinting strength and broader polymer compatibility.
Identification Information:
Color Index: Solvent Blue 104
Molecular formula: C32H30N2O2
CAS No.: 116-75-6
Product specification
| Appearance | Blue powder |
| Tinting Strength | 100±3% Batch-to-batch tinting strength within ±3% of the internal standard ensures consistent color development at low dosages (0.025–0.05%), eliminating the need for in-line color correction during production runs. |
| Shade Color | Similar to the standard Shade is verified against a CIELAB reference under D65 illuminant; the reddish-blue hue distinguishes SB104 from greener-shade solvent blues (SB35, SB36) and is critical for matching automotive OEM color specifications. |
| Ash | ≤ 1.0% Ash content measures residual inorganic material after combustion; low ash reduces the risk of filter clogging in fiber spin-dyeing and ensures optical clarity in transparent polymer applications. |
| Moisture | ≤ 1.0% Controlled moisture is essential for PET and PC processing where residual water triggers hydrolytic chain scission, reducing molecular weight and mechanical properties. Pre-drying at 80°C is recommended for hygroscopic polymers. |
| Color Differential Value ΔE | ≤ 0.8 ΔE ≤ 0.8 sits at the threshold of just-noticeable difference for trained observers, ensuring visually consistent shade across multi-batch orders for color-critical applications like automotive interiors. |
| Density (g/cm³) | 0.43 Low bulk density (0.43 g/cm³) is typical for organic solvent dyes and facilitates volumetric dosing into powder blending systems. Note: lower density means larger volume per kg — adjust hopper capacity and feeder calibration accordingly. |
| Melting Point | 240°C Melting point at 240°C provides a wide processing window for most thermoplastics (PS at 200°C to PC at 300°C). The dye fully dissolves in the polymer melt above its melting point, ensuring homogeneous coloration without undissolved particles that cause speck defects. |
Technical Data
| Test Items | PS | ABS | SAN | PMMA | PC | R-PVC | PA6 | PET |
| Heat resistance temperature, ℃ (0.05% dyes, transparent) |
300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | – | – | – |
| Heat resistance temperature, ℃ (0.05% dyes + 1.0% Titanium dioxide) |
300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | – | – | – |
| Migration resistance | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Light fastness (0.05% dyes, transparent) | 7-8 | 7-8 | – | – | – | 7-8 | – | |
| Weather resistance | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Acid resistance (in 5% hydrochloric acid solution) | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | – | – |
| Alkali resistance (in 5% caustic soda solution) | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | – | – |
Solvent Blue 104 solubility in organic solvent at 20℃ (g/L)
| Acetone | Butyl Acetate | Methylbenzene | Dichloromethane | Ethylalcohol |
| 3.0 | 8.0 | – | 240.0 | 0.1 |
Application Profile
| PS | ● | PET | ● | PC | ○ |
| AS | ● | PVC-R | ● | SAN | ○ |
| ABS | ● | PVC-U | ● | ||
| PMMA | ● |
Note: ● = recommended ○ = potential use – = not recommended
Recommended Dosage
Transparent: 0.025%
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Solvent Blue 104
Why is Solvent Blue 104 recommended over other solvent blues for engineering plastics?
Solvent Blue 104 achieves a rare combination of three critical properties: 300°C heat resistance across PS, ABS, SAN, PMMA, and PC; universal Grade 5 migration resistance in all tested polymers; and Grade 7–8 lightfastness in PS, ABS, and R-PVC. Most competing solvent blues sacrifice at least one of these — Solvent Blue 35 and 36 typically max out at 250–280°C heat resistance, while Solvent Blue 101 shows lower migration resistance in ABS and PC. For engineering plastics subjected to thermal cycling (automotive under-hood electronics housings, appliance components), SB104 provides the widest safety margin. Its 240°C melting point also ensures complete dissolution in the polymer melt without undissolved specks that cause surface defects in injection-molded parts.
How does the 240 g/L dichloromethane solubility benefit printing ink formulations?
The exceptionally high solubility of Solvent Blue 104 in dichloromethane (240 g/L at 20°C) enables several formulation advantages: (1) High-concentration stock solutions can be prepared at 15–20% w/v, reducing solvent volume in the pressroom and lowering VOC emissions per kg of ink produced. (2) For gravure and flexographic security printing, concentrated solutions deliver deeper color density in a single impression, reducing the number of printing units needed for full-color security features. (3) The high solubility margin means the dye remains fully dissolved even when blended with resins, plasticizers, and waxes that reduce effective solvent power — preventing crystallization and nozzle clogging in inkjet and continuous printing systems. (4) In laminate ink systems, DCM-based formulations dry rapidly on film substrates (PET, BOPP) without residual solvent retention that causes odor or migration issues.
What precautions are needed when using Solvent Blue 104 in PET fiber spin-dyeing?
PET fiber spin-dyeing with Solvent Blue 104 requires attention to three process parameters: (1) Moisture control — PET is hygroscopic and must be dried to below 0.005% moisture before melt spinning. While SB104 is supplied at ≤1.0% moisture, pre-drying the dye at 80°C/2 hours is recommended. Residual moisture causes hydrolytic degradation of PET, reducing intrinsic viscosity (IV) and fiber tenacity. (2) Dye addition method — for masterbatch-based spin-dyeing, prepare a 5–10% SB104 concentrate in PET carrier resin using a twin-screw extruder at 270–280°C, then let-down to 0.025–0.05% at the spinning machine. Direct powder addition risks inconsistent dosing and fiber breakage. (3) Post-spinning heat setting — SB104 withstands typical PET heat-setting temperatures (180–220°C) without sublimation or shade shift, but verify at your specific conditions. For food-contact or textile applications, confirm regulatory compliance (FDA 21 CFR, OEKO-TEX, REACH) for the specific grade supplied.
How does Solvent Blue 104 compare to Pigment Blue 15:3 for plastics coloring?
Solvent Blue 104 and Pigment Blue 15:3 (phthalocyanine blue) serve fundamentally different roles in plastics coloring. SB104 is a molecular dye that dissolves completely in the polymer melt, delivering full transparency — essential for optical applications (lenses, light guides), transparent packaging, and decorative tinting where the substrate must remain see-through. PB15:3 is an insoluble pigment that creates translucent-to-opaque coloration and acts as a strong nucleating agent in semi-crystalline polymers (PP, PE, PA), potentially causing warpage in injection-molded parts. PB15:3 far exceeds SB104 in weather resistance (Grade 8 vs. untested), migration resistance in polyolefins, and cost-efficiency at high volumes. For outdoor applications (automotive exterior, building profiles), PB15:3 is the standard. For indoor transparent applications (electronics housings, consumer goods, optical components), SB104 is preferred. The two can also be used together — SB104 for shade adjustment in transparent systems, PB15:3 for opacity in opaque systems.
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