It is basically a compendium of dyes. Prepared in UK by
the Society of Dyers and Colorists and in USA by the American Association of
Textile Chemists and Colorists, it is made available both in book form as
well as on CD as well. In reference book there are very specific systems for
identifying individual dyes. His includes assigning a five digit number to
each individual chemical which is used as dye. Consequently, individual dyes
get identified in reference to their CI numbers only.
Color index also has system for assigning specific names (CI Names) for
each of dyes so as to avoid confusion regarding chemicals. These names were
given based upon dye's:
- Mode of behavior
- Base color
- Action
For example, CI name given for chromoxane cyanine R (CI 43820) is Mordant
Blue 3. Thus, CI name provides specific way to identify a dye. Although CI
names are used less often than CI numbers, CI names play a useful part in
identifying a dye for particular staining method.
Following table illustrates use of Color Index for yellow Organic pigment:
C.I. Generic Name |
C.I. Number |
CAS Number |
Color |
P.Y.17 |
21105 |
4541-49-1 |
Greenish Yellow |
P.Y.74 |
11741 |
6358-31-2 |
Bright greenish yellow |
P.Y.81 |
21127 |
22094-93-5 |
Lemon yellow shade |
Features of Color Index:
Detailed record of products which can be found in market is put under Color
Index reference. Here, for each products name, there is listing of:
- Manufacturer's name
- Principal usages
- Physical form
- Comments to help customers
The format is devised after taking into confidence coloration industry that
include prominent:
- Manufacturers
- Users
- CPMA
- ETAD
Colorants get listed in Color Index strictly in accordance with system of:
- Color Index Generic Names Color
- Index Constitution Numbers
Today, around 27,000 individual products are listed under total of 13,000
Color Index Generic Names. These are listed with chemical structures that
are depicted in accordance with results obtained by modern researches on
molecular conformation. Further, a popular format has been devised with a
unique 'fingerprint' concept. Here, Part 1 of information gets freshly
confirmed with suppliers and manufacturers and Part 2 of information is
either confirmed freshly with suppliers & manufacturers or is depicted
as "carried over from previous edition.
Application Areas of Color Index:
- Textile manufacturers
- Paint manufacturers & suppliers
- Colorant users, suppliers & manufacturers
- Manufacturers and suppliers of Plastics
- Testing labs, Libraries, academic institutions
- Producers of Printing ink along with suppliers
Highlights of the Color Index
Following three tables highlight major information that is related to Color
Index:
Part 1 Dye Groupings:
Acid |
Mordant |
Disperse |
Natural Dyes and pigments |
Food |
Leather |
Direct |
Vat |
Reactive |
Ingrain Dyes |
Azoic Diazo components |
Azoic Coupling components |
Oxidation Bases |
Optical Brighteners |
Intermediate Products |
Reducing agents and Developers |
Each group of Dyes is subdivided into Green,
Violet, Blue,
Yellow, Red, Orange, Brown and Black |
|
Part 2:
Manufacturing methods |
Structural formula (if known) of Dyes |
References (literature and patents) |
|
Part 3:
Indexes |
Abbreviations of manufacturers' names |
Generic names |
Commercial names |
Color Index is able to provide dye/pigment with 2
reference numbers on criteria of Coloristic aspects |
|
Chemical classification:
- First one is area of application & technique of coloration=>the
C.I. Generic name
- Second technique is one known as C.I. Constitution numbers
- Also provision of listing all commercial names