Solvent Blue 97 / Solvent Dyes
for multi-layer co-extrusion, overmolding, and foo
Technical Information
Color Index: Solvent Blue 97
Molecular formula: C36H38N2O2
CAS No.: 61969-44-6
Application: PET fiber, also suitable for PA6 fiber. Widely used in PS, PET, PA, PC, and ABS (polyolefin, polyester, polycarbonate plastics).
Description
Solvent Blue 97 is a blue solvent dye with good heat resistance, light fastness, migration resistance, and high tinting strength. Highly recommended for polyester fiber (PET) and PA6 fiber applications. Widely used in PS, PET, PA, PC, and ABS (polyolefin, polyester, polycarbonate plastics).
Product Overview — Why Solvent Blue 97?
Solvent Blue 97 is a high-performance anthraquinone-based solvent dye engineered for demanding thermoplastic coloration across the full polymer spectrum. With exceptional heat stability reaching 300°C in PS, ABS, SAN, PMMA, and PC substrates, it outperforms conventional solvent dyes in high-temperature processing environments where color degradation is unacceptable. The dye delivers migration resistance rated 5/5 across all eight tested polymer types — a critical advantage for multi-layer co-extrusion, overmolding, and food-contact packaging where color bleed must be eliminated. Compared to Solvent Blue 35, SB97 offers superior light fastness (7-8 on Blue Wool Scale) in transparent formulations, making it the chemistry of choice for PET fiber spin dyeing where long-term UV exposure, repeated washing, and dry heat setting can compromise color integrity. Industrial applications include automotive interior components (PC/ABS instrument panels and trim), electronic device housings (PS/PMMA), synthetic textile fibers, and high-clarity consumer packaging. Unlike pigment-based alternatives, SB97 dissolves completely in the polymer melt, achieving brilliant transparent blues without affecting mechanical properties or surface gloss — a decisive advantage for clear and translucent products. Its anthraquinone chromophore structure provides inherent photochemical stability, ensuring consistent color retention from injection molding at 300°C through years of indoor UV exposure.
Identification Information
Color Index: Solvent Blue 97
Molecular formula: C36H38N2O2
CAS No.: 61969-44-6
Product Specification
Appearance: Blue powder
The fine blue powder morphology ensures rapid dispersion and uniform color development during melt compounding, eliminating speck formation in transparent applications.
Tinting Strength: 100±3%
A tinting strength of 100±3% indicates standard full-strength color performance with a tight ±3% batch tolerance, ensuring imperceptible shade variation between production lots for brand-color applications.
Shade: Color Similar to the standard
Shade matching against a certified reference standard guarantees color consistency across orders — critical for OEM supply chains where color specifications are contractually defined.
Ash: ≤ 1.0%
Low ash content below 1.0% minimizes insoluble residue that could cause spinneret clogging during fiber spinning or create surface defects in injection-molded clear parts.
Moisture: ≤ 1.0%
Moisture content below 1.0% prevents hydrolysis-related dye degradation during high-temperature processing and eliminates bubble formation that would compromise optical clarity in transparent products.
Color Differential Value ΔE: ≤ 0.8
A ΔE ≤ 0.8 ensures the color difference between batches is below the human eye’s perceptible threshold (~1.0 ΔE), maintaining brand color integrity across multi-year production campaigns.
Density: 1.45 g/cm³
A density of 1.45 g/cm³ enables precise gravimetric dosing in automated masterbatch compounding systems and influences bulk handling characteristics during pneumatic conveying.
Melting Point: 200-220 ℃
The melting point range of 200-220°C confirms the dye transitions to liquid phase well below typical polymer processing temperatures (230-300°C), ensuring complete dissolution and molecular-level dispersion for maximum color strength.
Technical data:
| TestItems | 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 | – | – |
Application Profile
| PS | ● | HIPS | ● | ABS | ● |
| PC | ○ | PVC-R | ● | PMMA | ● |
| SAN | ● | AS | ● | PA | – |
| PET | ● |
Note:● = recommended ○ = potential use – = not recommended
Recommended Dosage
Transparent: 0.025
Non-transparent: 0.035
Packaging:
Regular Packaging is in 25kgs paper drum, carton or bag. Products with low density will be packed into 10-20 kgs.
Exceptional Features of Solvent Blue 97
Solvent Blue 97 is a high-performance blue solvent dye renowned for its versatility and premium characteristics. Distinguished by outstanding heat resistance and light fastness, this dye meets the demands of industries requiring superior color retention and resilience. Additionally, its exceptional migration resistance ensures consistent application results without compromising the visual quality of the end product. Its high tinting strength makes it an ideal choice for extensive industrial applications, from textile manufacturing to plastics production.
Recommended Applications and Compatibility
Solvent Blue 97 is highly recommended for polyester fiber (PET fiber) applications due to its compatibility and seamless performance in this domain. The dye is also approved for use with PA6 fiber, extending its functionality across different material types. With proven reliability across a range of substrates including PS, PET, PA, PC, and ABS, Solvent Blue 97 demonstrates its adaptability to various polymer types, including polyolefin, polyester, and polycarbonate substrates.
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?
Request TDS, SDS, or a free sample for testing.
Technical FAQ — Solvent Blue 97
What is the difference between Solvent Blue 97 and Solvent Blue 35 for PET fiber dyeing?
Solvent Blue 97 and Solvent Blue 35 are both anthraquinone-based blue solvent dyes, but SB97 offers significantly higher heat stability (300°C vs. 280°C for SB35) and superior light fastness (7-8 vs. 6-7 on the Blue Wool Scale). In PET fiber spin dyeing, SB97’s enhanced thermal stability allows higher processing throughput without dye decomposition, while its superior photostability makes it the preferred choice for outdoor textile applications such as automotive upholstery and awning fabrics where extended UV exposure is expected. SB97 also demonstrates more consistent migration resistance across a wider range of polymer substrates.
Why does Solvent Blue 97 show light fastness 7-8 in transparent but no data in opaque formulations for certain polymers?
In opaque formulations containing TiO₂ (1.0% titanium dioxide), the light-scattering effect of the white pigment reduces the effective concentration of dye at the surface, which can alter the apparent light fastness. For PS, ABS, and R-PVC, the 7-8 rating in transparent applications reflects the dye’s inherent photostability in its molecular-dissolved state. The dashes (—) for opaque formulations in SAN, PMMA, PC, and PET indicate that these combinations are not the standard application profile rather than a performance deficiency — SB97 is primarily specified for transparent applications in these polymers where its full color brilliance and clarity are maximized.
How does Solvent Blue 97’s migration resistance compare to pigment-based alternatives in ABS/PC blends?
Solvent Blue 97 achieves a migration resistance rating of 5/5 — the highest possible score — across all tested polymers. In ABS/PC blends used for automotive interiors, this is particularly significant because the dye’s molecular dissolution in the polymer matrix eliminates the particle-boundary migration pathways that pigment dispersions can exhibit under thermal cycling (e.g., dashboard surfaces reaching 90°C in direct sunlight). For applications where an ABS substrate is overmolded with clear PC, the 5/5 rating ensures no color bleed from the opaque layer into the transparent layer. Pigment-based alternatives can show migration at lower temperatures due to incomplete dispersion or plasticizer interaction, making SB97 the safer choice for multi-material assemblies.
What processing temperature limit should be observed when using Solvent Blue 97 in polycarbonate?
While SB97 is rated for 300°C heat resistance in polycarbonate, best practice is to keep PC melt temperatures below 310°C with residence times under 5 minutes. At these conditions, the dye maintains full color strength with zero degradation. For applications requiring sustained exposure above 300°C (e.g., high-speed thin-wall molding), pre-drying the PC resin to below 0.02% moisture is critical — residual moisture can hydrolytically attack the anthraquinone chromophore at extreme temperatures. Honor Pigments recommends conducting a small-scale processing trial at your specific conditions and provides complimentary color measurement before and after molding to validate thermal stability in your application.