Alkali blue

Description

A class of blue pigment powders that are prepared from Fuchsin, a synthetic red dye. By weight, alkali blue dyes have the highest tinting strength of any blue pigment, approximately 50% greater than Phthalocyanine blue and 500% greater than Prussian blue. Alkali blue pigments are resistant to bleeding in water, oils and waxes, but dissolve in alcohols. Alkali blues have fair color permanency and are used in blue and black printing inks.

Authority

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993