Materials Included In Kit

Additional Materials Required

Safety Precautions

The dyes used in this lab are considered non-hazardous; however, the dust may be a skin, eye or respiratory irritant. The dyes will stain skin and clothing. Wear a protective apron, rubber gloves and a different pair of chemical splash goggles to protect the skin and eyes. Please consult current Safety Data Sheets for additional safety, handling and disposal information.

Disposal

Please consult your current Flinn Scientific Catalog/Reference Manual for general guidelines and specific procedures, and review all federal, state and local regulations that may apply, before proceeding. The colored dye solutions can be disposed of down the drain with plenty of water according to Flinn Suggested Disposal Method #26b.

Teacher Tips

• This is a Super Value Kit, containing enough powdered dye to make 2 liters of each of the five colors. Two liters of each color is enough for five classes of 30 students, having each student dye his or her own pair of goggles.
• Prepare one large beaker or pot (2-liter) of each colored dye solution. Dry powdered dyes are very messy. Add all 30 grams in the bottle to the water to avoid a mess at the balance. Have all students in the class share the dye solutions. For best results, be sure to reheat the dye solutions to 80–90 °C for each class before coloring the goggles.
• The black dye can be used to make gray or black goggles. Immerse the goggles briefly (under one minute) to make gray goggles. To make a true deep black, the goggles may need to be immersed for longer than one minute. The gold dye can be used to make yellow, gold, or orange goggles. Use approximately half of the dye provided (15 grams) in 2 liters of water to produce a lighter yellow goggle color. Use the full amount of dye (30 grams) in 2 liters of water to produce a golden-yellow color if immersed briefly and a deeper orange if immersed for a longer time period.
• Encourage students to be creative with color styles. They may wish to try bi-, tri- and four corner-colored styles. Folding or holding just a portion of the goggles in the dye allows for expression of individual creativity. Students can also dye the goggles to match lab coats or other clothing, or to show school spirit by displaying school colors.
• Colorless goggles take up the dye the best; however, light green goggles also work well. Flinn chemical splash goggles (AP3306) is a good choice; however, any goggle of the soft vinyl type will work fine as long as the lenses are removable.
• Some students may desire to color the lenses or straps of their goggles as well as the frames. The lenses (and straps) will also take up the dye. Be sure to dye the lenses a lighter tint by immersing them for less time than the frames so vision is not obstructed.
• The dyes can permanently stain plastic, fiberglass or porous porcelain sinks. Don’t rinse goggles in a sink of this type, and clean containers and sinks immediately after dyeing by scrubbing with hot water and powdered cleanser or bleach.
• Students can put tape or stickers on the goggles before dyeing and, once removed, these areas will be undyed.

References

Gerlovich, J. A. J. Chem. Educ. 1992, 69, 824.

Hill, J. W.; Harmes, C. A. J. Chem. Educ. 1993, 70, 779.

Introduction

Turn your standard laboratory goggles into personalized “designer” colored goggles and view your laboratory world through a different-colored light!

Concepts

• Dyes and dyeing
• Laboratory eye safety

Background

“Any time chemicals, glassware, or heat is used, students and teachers will wear their goggles—no exceptions!” Eye protection should be required in all academic chemistry laboratories, and chemical-splash goggles are specified by law in many states. While goggles perform a necessary and vital safety function, students often view standard goggles as unattractive and they remove them during lab or don’t wear them at all. This can cause an extremely dangerous laboratory situation!

Since goggles are an absolute necessity during lab, why not make them attractive to wear? Use the easy procedure outlined below on any pair of standard chemical splash goggles to transform them into goggles students will wear. Be creative in your color design—choose your favorite color, your school colors or make bi- or tri-colored styles. Personalize your goggles however you like! Experiment, have fun, and remember to always wear your goggles!

Materials

Safety Precautions

The dyes used in this lab are considered non-hazardous; however, the dust may be a skin, eye or respiratory irritant. The dyes will stain skin and clothing, hands and nails. Wear a protective apron, rubber gloves and a different pair of chemical splash goggles to protect the skin and eyes. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the laboratory.

Procedure

Part A. Prepare the Colored Dye Solutions

1. Fill a large beaker or pot with about 2 L of tap water.
2. Begin heating the water using a hot plate. Add all 30 g of the selected color of Flinn goggle dye to the water. (Note: To reduce possible spills, drips, or mess, place the hot plate and solution near a sink, if at all possible.)
3. Heat the dye mixture to approximately 80–90 °C. (Note: While waiting, prepare the goggles for dyeing. See step 6.)
4. Stir until the dye is dispersed, maintaining the solution at 80–90 °C.
5. Repeat steps 1–4, using a different large beaker for each color of dye.

Part B. Prepare the Goggles for Dyeing

6. Remove the strap and lenses from each pair of goggles.

Part C. Color the Goggles

7. Use tongs to immerse the goggles into the hot dye solution. Allow the goggles to remain in the dye solution for about one minute. (Note: Different tints of the same color can be achieved by immersing the goggles for more or less time. Always start light; you can make them darker if desired.)
8. Use tongs to remove the goggles from the dye solution. Hold the goggles over paper toweling and take them to a nearby sink. (Caution: The goggle dye will stain skin, clothing and possibly the floor. Be sure to take necessary care during this step.)
9. Rinse the dyed goggles in running tap water until the water runs clear. An alternate and perhaps better method to rinse the goggles is to place them in the sink in a bucket full of tap water. In any case, take care to avoid splashing any dye on your clothing or skin as the dyes will stain. (Note: If the color of the goggles is lighter than desired, repeat steps 7–9. It is better to start too light and go darker than to have the goggles too dark at first.)
10. Dry the goggles using paper toweling.

Part D. Wear your “Personalized” Colorful Goggles!

11. Replace the strap and lenses on your goggles.
12. Wear your safety goggles with pride!