Section
| HS Code | 503262 |
| Productname | Solvent Yellow 14 |
| Commonname | Sudan I |
| Chemicalname | 1-Phenylazo-2-naphthol |
| Casnumber | 842-07-9 |
| Ecnumber | 212-668-2 |
| Cinumber | 12055 |
| Molecularformula | C16H12N2O |
| Molecularweight | 248.28 g/mol |
| Chemicalclass | Monoazo dye |
| Appearance | Orange-red to red crystalline powder |
| Colorindexcolor | Yellow to orange-red |
| Meltingpoint | 131-134 °C |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm3 (approx.) |
| Logp | 4.1 (approx.) |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water; soluble in organic solvents |
| Absorptionmaximum | 476 nm (approx., ethanol) |
| Hazardclassification | Harmful if swallowed; skin sensitizer; suspected carcinogen |
| Storageconditions | Keep tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from light |
As an accredited Solvent Yellow 14 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied in 25 kg net-weight sealed fiber drums with polyethylene liners, clearly labeled according to chemical safety regulations. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Solvent Yellow 14 is loaded into a 20-foot FCL container in sealed drums/pallets, securely stowed and braced for safe transport. |
| Shipping | Solvent Yellow 14 is generally not regulated as a dangerous good for transport (no UN number, hazard class, or packing group). Ship as a non-hazardous solid in sealed, labeled containers; avoid dust release and environmental contamination. Verify the current SDS and carrier/regional rules before shipment. |
| Storage | Store Solvent Yellow 14 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and ignition sources. Keep containers tightly closed, clearly labeled, and protected from moisture, oxidizers, acids, and bases. Avoid dust generation and separate from food, feed, and drinking water. Follow local regulations and use appropriate personal protective equipment. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life: typically 2 years when stored tightly closed in a cool, dry, dark place; stable under recommended conditions. |
Solvent Yellow 14, C.I. 12055, is metered into low-sulfur diesel, heating oil, and selected mineral-oil lubricant streams for excise-class identification and off-road fuel marking. The solid dye is first dissolved in a high-boiling aromatic carrier such as xylene or Aromatic 150 to a concentrate of 20–40 wt%, then dosed into the product stream by gear pumps at a final concentration typically between 5 mg/L and 30 mg/L. Concentrate viscosity at ambient temperature is controlled by the aromatic carrier and is not significantly increased by the dye at these concentrations; positive-displacement dosing pumps are therefore preferred over centrifugal pumps for low-flow marker injection. The visible absorbance maximum near 476 nm in ethanol is used for spectrophotometric lot confirmation, but finished-fuel methods for yellow markers are less standardized than the red-dye procedure described in ASTM D6756. The main operational boundaries arise from solubility: the dye remains soluble in aromatic and naphthenic hydrocarbons but is nearly insoluble in low-molecular-weight solid paraffin waxes at ambient temperature, and cooling of the concentrate below 5 °C produces crystal sedimentation that can clog suction lines and meter pumps. Bulk storage tanks, injection quills, and sample loops must be protected from freezing to avoid uneven marker dosing. The compound is not listed in 21 CFR 73 as a permitted food color additive and must be segregated from blending equipment that handles food-grade white oils.
Molten paraffin wax at 75–85 °C accepts Solvent Yellow 14 as a true solution, but microcrystalline grades with elevated oil content may require a pre-dispersion step. The dye has a melting point of 131–133 °C, which is above normal wax processing temperatures, so direct addition of flake dye without a liquid carrier can leave visible particles in the finished candle. A carrier concentrate prepared in paraffin oil or light mineral oil at 10–20 wt% is injected after the wax has passed through the filter press. Dye loadings in candles generally start at 0.005 wt% and are capped below 0.05 wt% to control surface bloom and wick staining. Color acceptance is assessed on molded plaques by ASTM D2244 with a sphere-based spectrophotometer, and the target CIE L* a* b* coordinates depend on wax opacity and gloss level. Because Solvent Yellow 14 is a low-molecular-weight monoazo compound of 248.28 g/mol and has no covalent bond to the wax matrix, migration is accelerated by fragrance oils or carrier esters. Fragranced candle blends above 6 wt% fragrance load should be tested for mottling and dye exudation after 7 days at 23 °C in closed glass jars. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, so production trials are required before locking a formulation.
The use of Solvent Yellow 14 in general-purpose polystyrene, SAN, and acrylic polymers is restricted to processing windows in which the azo chromophore does not undergo thermal scission. A masterbatch of 1–3 wt% active dye in a styrenic carrier is dosed into a corotating twin-screw extruder with an L/D ratio of 32:1; final dye levels in the molded article are typically 0.005–0.03 wt%. The barrel profile must not exceed 230 °C for extended residence times because local temperatures at kneading blocks can exceed the bulk melt set point by 10–15 °C, producing a brown hue shift. Melt-phase dispersion is evaluated by taking 10 pellets at 20-minute intervals during a production run and measuring the color difference by ASTM D2244; a ΔE variation greater than 1.5 indicates dye starving or carrier phase separation in the additive feeder. The dye has no reactive anchoring site in styrenic matrices, so plasticizer-free food-contact grades are not suitable under either FDA 21 CFR 177.1640 or EU Regulation 10/2011. For non-food applications involving oil contact, migration can occur because the molecular weight is only 248.28 g/mol; accelerated migration testing is advised when the part will contact mineral oil, lard, or fatty media for more than 24 hours.
Solvent-borne wood stains and nitrocellulose lacquers employ Solvent Yellow 14 as a transparent colorant with no hiding power. The dye is dissolved at ambient temperature in a solvent blend of methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, and isopropanol; a solution concentration of 0.1–0.5 wt% is common for spray-applied stains on oak, ash, and maple. Since the dye is fully soluble at these levels, filtration through a 10 μm absolute depth filter before loading into pressure pots prevents nozzle blockage. The solution is compatible with short-oil alkyd and nitrocellulose lacquer binders at drying temperatures up to 60 °C, but it is not recommended for acid-catalyzed urea-formaldehyde clears where residual acidity can shift hue. Lightfastness is the limiting property: as a monoazo colorant, Solvent Yellow 14 does not achieve high Blue Wool Scale ratings. In xenon arc exposure under ISO 105-B02, equivalent materials in this monoazo class often fade before reaching grade 4, so exterior wood joinery and window frames are outside the practical application envelope. For interior decorative woodwork, the final topcoat should be a UV-cured acrylate or two-component polyurethane with UV absorber addition because the dye itself offers no significant photostabilization. Storage in unlined mild steel is acceptable, but contact with copper, brass, or zinc fittings should be avoided to prevent metal-catalyzed reduction.
Solvent Yellow 14 is dissolved in an isopropanol/ethylene glycol monobutyl ether carrier at 0.05–0.3 wt% to produce a transparent grain-side stain for chrome-tanned upper leather before the water-based base coat is applied. The dye solution is applied by HVLP spray at 1.8–2.2 bar fluid pressure, then dried for 30–60 minutes at 40–50 °C under forced air. Because the dye is a non-ionic solvent dye, it has no electrostatic attraction to chrome-tanned collagen and no sulfonic acid groups for ionic fixation; this distinguishes it from anionic acid dyes that fix through chrome modification. Without ionic fixation, unbound dye migrates upward into aqueous polyurethane topcoats if the residual solvent content of the base coat remains above 2% at overcoat time. Crosslinking polyurethane topcoats with an NCO:OH molar ratio of approximately 1.6:1 slow migration but do not fully immobilize the dye. Rub fastness, measured by ISO 11640, may fall below acceptable wet-rub values on pale leathers when the dye loading exceeds 0.20 wt%. The use of Solvent Yellow 14 in leather intended for direct and prolonged skin contact is not supported by a regulatory clearance; suppliers should restrict this colorant to technical leathers, shoe upper materials with lining barriers, and leather goods where contact with perspiration is limited.
At the finishing stage of lithium 12-hydroxystearate and calcium sulfonate grease manufacture, Solvent Yellow 14 is added to the base oil as a visual batch identifier and package marker. The dye is dissolved into the naphthenic or paraffinic base oil at 50–60 °C before being introduced at the letdown stage; filtration through a 25 μm sock filter removes undissolved dye particles. Use levels in the finished grease typically range from 0.01 wt% to 0.05 wt%. At these levels, cone penetration and dropping point changes remain below the reproducibility limits of ASTM D217 and ASTM D566. However, the azo chromophore can act as an antioxidant scavenger, and oxidation stability tests under ASTM D942 may reveal shortened induction periods in lithium greases when the dye loading exceeds 0.03 wt%. The dye is incompatible with active sulfur carriers and chlorinated extreme-pressure additives commonly used in heavy-duty gear greases; under high-pressure tribological contact, the chromophore is readily reduced and the yellow marker can disappear from lubricated contact zones. Dye addition is intended solely for lot tracing and customer-specific color coding, not for performance modification. There is no published food-grade lubrication authorization for Solvent Yellow 14 under FDA 21 CFR 178.3570, so incidental food-contact grease applications are excluded unless the formulation is reviewed under a suitable barrier or non-contact assessment.
Competitive Solvent Yellow 14 prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
For samples, pricing, or more information, please contact us at +8615365186327 or mail to sales3@liwei-chem.com.
We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +8615365186327
Email: sales3@liwei-chem.com
Flexible payment, competitive price, premium service - Inquire now!
Solvent Yellow 14 is supplied as an orange to orange-red powder identified by CAS 842-07-9, EC 212-668-2, and Colour Index designation C.I. 12055. The chemical class is a non-metallized monoazo naphthol, with the synonym 1-(phenylazo)-2-naphthol; the molecular formula is C16H12N2O and the molecular weight is 248.28 g/mol. Commercial model designations vary by supplier, but the C.I. 12055 designation remains the stable technical comparator for cross-referencing. The product is distinct from metal-complex solvent yellows and anthraquinone solvent yellows because its uncomplexed azo structure gives a different solubility profile, lower molecular weight, and narrower thermal and weathering performance envelope. Industrial supply forms include low-dust powders, wetted granules, and solvent-prewetted presscake; the selected physical form affects gravimetric feeder behaviour, dusting tendency, and dissolution rate more than the chromophoric performance itself.
Release testing for Solvent Yellow 14 is governed by both colouristic identity and impurity constraints. The dye content is normally quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection; acceptance values cited in supplier certificates of analysis generally require an assay of at least 98.0 area %. Melting behaviour is a further fingerprint of the specific polymorph. Differential scanning calorimetry yields a representative melting range of 128–132 °C; a broadened or depressed endotherm can indicate retained isomer content or moisture. Residue after ignition is controlled at ≤0.30% because non-combustible residues can contribute to die-lip plate-out during extrusion or to filter clogging in ink manufacture. Retained moisture is limited to ≤0.50% because free water can generate screw slip in single-screw extruders and can reduce the dielectric strength of insulating hydrocarbon fluids. Toluene-insoluble material is restricted to ≤0.10% to avoid particle defects in thin films and clear coatings.
| Parameter | Test method | Typical acceptance criterion |
|---|---|---|
| Colour Index identity | UV-vis spectrophotometry in toluene | C.I. 12055 reference match |
| Assay (dye content) | HPLC-DAD | ≥98.0 area % |
| Melting range | ASTM D3418-21 (DSC) | 128–132 °C |
| Loss on drying | ISO 787-2:1981 | ≤0.50% |
| Residue on ignition | Gravimetric, 550 °C | ≤0.30% |
| Sieve residue (45 µm) | ISO 787-18:2000 | ≤0.10% |
| Toluene insolubles | Absolute filtration, 10 µm | ≤0.10% |
In candle and mineral oil colouration, the process window is defined by dissolution rather than dispersion. Solvent Yellow 14 dissolves readily in aromatic hydrocarbons, moderately in ketones, and only slightly in aliphatic carriers. In candle production using fully refined paraffin, the powder is normally pre-dissolved in a side batch of molten paraffin at 100–110 °C under low-shear agitation before being metered into the main wax stream. Direct powder addition into the main tank can produce undissolved particles that survive downstream cartridge filtration and appear as visible specks in solidified wax. Production-scale data from continuous candle lines indicate that filtration through 10 µm absolute polypropylene cartridges provides a practical process check; a rapid rise in differential pressure across the filter indicates incomplete pre-dissolution or batch-to-batch particle-size variation in the dye powder. The dye concentration in wax is often limited to 0.01–0.10 wt% to maintain burn quality and avoid wick clogging, but the specific ceiling is formulation-dependent and should be verified by wax burn-test protocols such as ASTM D2538-18.
The most operationally significant difference between Solvent Yellow 14 and higher-performance solvent yellows is the absence of a complexed metal centre. Metal-complex solvent yellows, such as Solvent Yellow 82 and related 1:2 chromium or cobalt complexes, derive their higher lightfastness and thermal durability from the coordination of the azo ligand to the metal ion. Solvent Yellow 14, by contrast, remains an uncomplexed monoazo naphthol; its hue is a bright orange-yellow, but its performance envelope in accelerated weathering is narrower. When exposed under xenon arc conditions described in ISO 4892-2, thin films coloured with Solvent Yellow 14 generally show earlier visible fade than equivalent prints made with metal-complex yellows; however, exact Blue Wool ratings to ISO 105-B02 depend on the concentration, polymer stabilizer package, and whether the dye is used in a surface coating or a bulk polymer. Anthraquinone solvent yellows exhibit lower chroma per unit concentration than Solvent Yellow 14 in many low-polarity systems, but they may be selected when long-term migration resistance in plasticized PVC or low-density polyethylene is the controlling parameter. The difference in molecular weight and polarity also changes the solubility profile: Solvent Yellow 14 dissolves in toluene and xylene more readily than many metal-complex grades, which often require the addition of polar cosolvents such as methyl ethyl ketone or ethyl acetate for complete dissolution.
| Property | Solvent Yellow 14 (C.I. 12055) | Metal-complex solvent yellow | Anthraquinone solvent yellow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chroma class | Non-metallized monoazo naphthol | 1:2 metal-complex azo | Anthraquinone |
| Hue character | Orange-yellow / red-shifted yellow | Yellow to orange-yellow | Green-shifted to neutral yellow |
| Thermal processing window | Preferential below 220 °C in low-residence-time extrusion; higher temperatures risk shade drift | Suitable for higher-temperature engineering resins | Suitable for higher-temperature engineering resins |
| Lightfastness in thin films | Lower, substrate-dependent under ISO 4892-2 | Higher; specified for demanding automotive interiors | Higher relative to monoazo |
| Migration in polyolefins | May migrate in low-molecular-weight polyolefins or plasticized PVC | Reduced migration due to higher molecular weight and complexation | Variable; often lower migration than monoazo |
| Solubility in aromatic solvents | Readily soluble in toluene, xylene | Often requires polar cosolvent | Often requires polar cosolvent |
For solvent-borne printing inks and wood stains, Solvent Yellow 14 is generally dissolved directly into the varnish under high-shear agitation, since the dye does not require the same pigment wetting step as particulate colourants. In toluene-based gravure inks, the dye can be dissolved into the varnish under Cowles blade agitation; viscosity control is then adjusted with toluene after complete dissolution. Grind gauge readings to ISO 1524:2013 should show no retained agglomerates if dissolution is complete. In nitrocellulose lacquers and alkyd sealers for wood, the dye’s solubility in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents permits tinting without adding pigment dispersants. However, the uncomplexed azo structure is sensitive to reductive drying conditions and acidic or alkaline hydrolysis in moist wood over time. Migration into topcoats is a known limitation. Published data for long-term migration in nitrocellulose/alkyd composite systems is limited, and accelerated humidity/condensation cycling should be conducted before specifying the product for exterior wood joinery.
When Solvent Yellow 14 is substituted into polyolefin masterbatch formulations that were originally designed around high-temperature anthraquinone yellows, the processing boundary must be re-established rather than assumed. The low molecular weight of the monoazo dye permits effective colour strength at low addition levels, but it also lowers the thermal threshold compared with metal-complex alternatives. Extrusion temperatures above 220 °C, especially with residence times typical of compounding lines with L/D ratios of 40:1 or above, can cause the azo chromophore to undergo thermal scission. The result may be a dulling of the yellow shade, a shift toward orange, and the possible generation of low-level aromatic amine fragments. For this reason, processing of Solvent Yellow 14 in polyolefins is normally restricted to low-temperature cast film, blow-moulding, or injection-moulding operations where melt temperature is maintained below 220 °C and where the barrel profile is configured to avoid long hold-up zones. Gravimetric feeding of low-dust granules instead of powder is preferred in vented twin-screw extruders to prevent dust accumulation on vent ports and in vacuum-calibrated feeders. Residual moisture above 0.50% in the dye powder can cause screw slip in single-screw extrusion; pre-drying at 60 °C for 2 h is applied when ambient relative humidity exceeds 60%.
In polyolefin masterbatch production, colour strength per unit weight is frequently higher than that of pigment-based yellows, allowing lower dosage. However, dosing reductions below 0.01 wt% can magnify the impact of gravimetric feeder variability; batch-to-batch colour difference tends to remain within ΔE 0.5 CIELAB units when gravimetric dosing accuracy is maintained within ±0.5% of setpoint. The dye is more sensitive to residence time in melt than to peak temperature alone; in single-screw extruders with L/D ratios of 24:1, colour shift is generally less pronounced than in twin-screw compounding with L/D 40:1 at identical barrel settings. Published formal thermal stability indices for Solvent Yellow 14 remain limited, so internal process qualification under the specific polymer and residence-time conditions is required before production release.
Before European Union use, the CAS 842-07-9 and EC 212-668-2 identifiers should be checked against the ECHA registered substance database for the specific tonnage band. The absence of a listing in EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 for plastic food-contact materials or in 21 CFR 178.3297 for food-contact coatings means that the dye is not treated as a general-use direct or indirect food-contact colorant; any packaging application must be supported by migration modelling or extraction testing under the relevant national standard. RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU does not generally restrict azo dyes of this type unless cadmium, lead, chromium(VI), mercury, PBB, or PBDE are present above specified thresholds; a supplier declaration on heavy-metal content is therefore a required document. Because reductive cleavage of the azo bond can generate aromatic amine-related fragments under severe processing or chemical reduction, the product is verified against the amine release criteria in EN ISO 17234-1:2021 when intended for articles that contact skin.
Warehouse storage below 30 °C in sealed polyethylene-lined drums is recommended. Product exposed to high ambient humidity for extended periods may require re-test of loss on drying before use. The product should not be combined with strong reducing agents or strongly alkaline solutions, because the azo chromophore can undergo reduction to colourless or differently coloured fragments. The operational boundary is therefore defined by solvent compatibility, melt-temperature exposure, and the final article’s regulatory status rather than by colour strength alone.
