Dye composition and method of use thereof for coloring thermoplastic articles

Abstract

A waterless dye composition for apparel and other articles, made from thermoplastic materials, comprises an aliphatic polyester of a higher alkanoic acid and a polyol, of the formula (ACOO).sub.2-6 B, wherein A is alkyl of 8-22 carbon atoms and B is the residue of a polyhydric alcohol, other than glycerol, of 2-6 hydroxyl groups and an organic colorant. The compositions can further comprise an aromatic polyester of the formula C.sub.6 H.sub.z' --(COOR.sub.1).sub.z, wherein z is 3, 4, 5, or 6; z' is 6-z; and R.sub.1 is higher alkyl; and/or a cycloaliphatic diester of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is substituted or unsubstituted straight or branched chain alkyl of 4-20 carbon atoms, polyoxyalkylene of the formula HO(C.sub.x H.sub.y O).sub.n C.sub.x H.sub.y -- or phosphated polyoxyalkylene of the formula (HO).sub.2 P(.dbd.O)O(C.sub.x H.sub.2x O).sub.n C.sub.x H.sub.2x or a salt thereof, wherein (C.sub.x H.sub.2x O).sub.n is (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n, (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.n or (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.p (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.q, n is 2-22, and the sum of p+q is n. A process for coloring apparel or other articles, fabricated from polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, acrylic, halogenated polyolefin or epoxy plastic, comprises exposing an article to the foregoing compositions, maintained at a temperature between 100.degree. C. and the temperature at which the plastic is degraded, for a time adequate to achieve the desired degree of coloration. The compositions may further be diluted with water and used for textile finishing processes or as dyeing assistants in aqueous baths.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.