Thermoplastic polymer compositions containing black dye compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a black polymeric composition suitable for use in films, fibers and molded articles, where a soluble, easily dispersed colorant is desirable. The black polymeric composition provides a high black color quality and is small enough to function as a black colorant in microdenier fibers. The black polymeric composition comprises a thermoplastic resin in an amount between about 50 weight percent and about 99.9 weight percent of the black polymeric composition, and a black dye composition in an amount between about 0.1 weight percent and about 50 weight percent of the black polymeric composition. The black dye composition contains a black indanthrone compound as a major component. As used herein, black indanthrone compounds are defined as compounds having the general structure represented by Formula I: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or at least one group independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, aryloxy, arylthio, arylamino, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 carbalkoxy, --CO.sub.2 H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkanoyloxy, arylazo, --CN, --NO.sub.2, --SO.sub.2 --C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, --SO.sub.2 N(R1)R2, and --CON(R1)R2, wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, aryl and hydrogen. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing the black polymeric composition, processes for preparing the black dye composition and articles formed from the black polymeric composition.