Process for the preparation of improved dyestuff granules from suspension containing a propylene oxide-ethylene oxide copolymer

Abstract

To prepare storage-stable, low-dusting dyestuff granules which are readily soluble in plastics, a suspension of the dyestuff containing 0.1-5% by weight of a polyglycol are dried while being granulated.

We claim: 
     
       1. Process for the preparation of storage-stable, low-dusting dyestuffs granules that are readily soluble in plastics, said process .Iadd.being .Iaddend.characterized in that a suspension of (a) a water-insoluble or sparingly-soluble-in-water dyestuff, (b) 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the dry dyestuff, of a polyglycol which is a copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, and (c) .Iadd.optionally .Iaddend.up to 2%, based on the dry dyestuff, of polyacrylic acid and/or salts thereof, is dried while being granulated .Iadd.with spray drying.Iaddend., the polyglycol having a molecular weight of 900-15,000, calculated from the OH.Iadd., the granules comprising 95 to 99% by weight of the dyestuff.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       2. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that an aqueous suspension of the dyestuff is used. . .3. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the granulation is carried out with spray 
     
     
        drying..!. . Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the polyglycol is a copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide having an average molar mass, calculated from the OH number, of between 2,000 and 10,000. . .5. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the weight of the polyglycol, based on the dry dyestuff, is not more than 
     
     
        5%..!.6. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that a rotating disc or pressure jet is used as . .the.!. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.atomising 
     
     
        element during granulation. 7. Process for colouring plastics by granules obtained according to claim 1, characterised in that the granules are 
     
     
        dissolved in the molten or dissolved plastic. 8. Process according to claim . .5.!. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., characterized in that the weight of the polyglycol, based on the dry dyestuff, is 1-3%. .Iadd.9. Process according to claim 1, wherein the suspension contains the polyacrylic acid or salts thereof..Iaddend.