Vat Blue 18

Deep navy vat dye optimized for cellulosic textiles — cotton, cotton blends and some regenerated cellulosics.

Product overview — what makes our Vat Blue 18 special

• Deep, clear navy shade with excellent wash, light and rub fastness suitable for apparel and industrial textiles.
• Formulated for reliable levelling and reproducible mill-scale performance; available in powder form with consistent active content.
• Recommended for vat dyeing and pad-steam vat processes on cellulosic substrates; also used in vat pigment dispersions for continuous processes.

Recommended vat reduction recipe — mill guidance (general)

Warning: the reduction/oxidation vat involves caustic and strong reducing agents. The values below are indicative starting points for bench trials — always confirm with your lab and TDS, and follow local safety rules and SDS.

1. Prepare dye liquor at LR 1:8 to 1:20 depending on process and fabric weight.
2. Dissolve the required quantity of Vat Blue 18 in water as a dispersion (use pigment grind equipment or high-shear mixer for continuous pad processes).
3. Add caustic (NaOH) to reach an alkali level typically in the range of 10–25 g/L (trial-dependent).
4. Add reducing agent — sodium dithionite (hydrosulfite, Na2S2O4) or equivalent — commonly 10–30 g/L to reduce the vat to the leuco form.
5. Introduce the fabric; maintain temperature 20–50°C depending on recipe and shade requirements; pad/soak for required time to achieve pickup.
6. After uptake, oxidize (air oxidation or hydrogen peroxide wash) until full development of color; then neutralize and rinse thoroughly.

Note: for pad-steam continuous processes, use stable dispersions and steam schedules per mill practice; for rope dyeing / exhaust dyeing adjust alkali/reduction levels accordingly.

Performance & advantages vs typical vat blues

• High wash & light fastness — suitable for apparel and industrial uses where durability is required.
• Good leveling when prepared as a micronized dispersion for pad-steam application.
• Consistent shade reproducibility when supplied with COA and executed with recommended vat control parameters.

Technical Specifications

• ‍Product Name: Vat Blue 18
• CAS No.:116-71-2
• Molecular Formula:C34H16O2
• Molecular Weight:456.49
• Relative Name:Solanthrene Dark Blue B;Solanthrene Dark Blue BA;Solanthrene Dark Blue F-BA;Vat Dark Blue BO UL Conc;VAT BLUE 20‍

Environmental & regulatory notes

Vat dyes are typically insoluble in their oxidized form and require chemical reduction to the leuco form during dyeing. Wastewater from vat dyeing may contain reducing agents and alkali — treat according to local effluent regulations. Consult the product SDS for specific disposal guidance.