Abstract: The present invention relates to black alcohol soluble dye formulations of high color intensity, low viscosity, and high tinctorial strength. The formulations are particularly useful for writing instruments such as felt tip and roller ball pens.

Abstract: Liquid petroleum products and industrial liquids are marked with highly soluble silent fluorescent markers having the formula: ##STR1## where R is selected from a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkylcarboxy radical.

Abstract: A water-immiscible marker is dissolved in polyethylene glycol or other suitable carrier, and the marker so dissolved is added to a waterborne composition which is used as an additive to a waterborne or water processable composition. Subsequently, the marker is either extracted with a non-polar solvent or detected by means of a surface spot test. From the non-polar solvent, the marker is extracted with an acidic aqueous solution or an alkaline aqueous solution, depending upon the marker, and color-developed. Likewise, a surface spot test can detect the presence of the marker by, if necessary, first softening the marked surface to be tested either chemically or by thermal means, and developing a color with a color-developing reagent placed on the exposed surface. Applications can include the marking of paint, coatings, wax emulsions and water soluble/dispersable additives commonly used in water based applications, e.g., cement additives.

Abstract: A water-reducible composition comprises A) between about 20 and about 50 wt % of a water-insoluble nigrosine, B) between about 25 and about 40 wt % of a solvent having a flashpoint of at least about 141.degree. F. (61.degree. C.) and a boiling point of at least about 280.degree. F. (138.degree. C.), and C) between about 20 and about 40 wt % of a non-ionic surfactant, the weight percentages being based on total weight of A), B), and C).The composition is prepared by dissolving the nigrosine A) in a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanol to form an alcohol solution, mixing the alcohol solution with the solvent B) and non-ionic surfactant C, and subsequently stripping the C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanol.

Abstract: Water-immiscible solvent dyes are mixed with citrus solvents and non-ionic surfactants to form a water-reducible true dye solution containing at least 35 wt % of the water-immiscible dye. The dye solution is dispersible in water and infinitely reducible.

Abstract: A tag is added to an asphalt additive, typically an anti-stripping agent. The additive dye is mixed with other components of an asphalt composition and melt processed at 300.degree. F. (149.degree. C.) or above to produce an asphalt composition. Presence of the tag to identify presence of the additive is performed by dissolving the asphalt portion of the composition in a water-immiscible solvent and then extracting the tag in an acidic aqueous solution and developing a color with a diazo compound.