Developer A (Bayer) is a mixture of beta-naphthol and caustic soda in the powder form, so that a solution is obtained by simply adding water. Rather more (about 1½ per cent.) of this is required than of beta-naphthol.
Alpha-naphthol has similar properties to, and is used in the same way as, beta-naphthol; it develops much darker and rather duller colours, which are less fast to washing.
Resorcine, like naphthol, is insoluble in water, but it can be dissolved by using either soda ash or caustic soda. The latter is preferable, as the former is liable to give a developing bath that froths in working, especially if much acid has been left in the cotton from the diazotising bath. The proportions are: 10 lb. resorcine, 25 lb. caustic soda lye of 70° Tw., and 60 gallons of water; or 10 lb. resorcine, 20 lb. soda ash, and 60 gallons of water, heated until a solution is obtained. In the developing bath 1 per cent. of resorcine is usually sufficient to use. It develops an orange with Primuline.
Developer F (Bayer) is a mixture of resorcine and soda ash. It requires 1½ per cent, to make a developing bath.
Phenol, better known as carbolic acid, finds a use as a developer. It is dissolved in caustic soda, 10 lb. phenol, 15 lb. caustic soda lye of 70° Tw., and 60 gallons of water. Generally 1 per cent. is sufficient to use as a developer. It is often called yellow developer.
Naphthylamine ether is used as a developer for blues in conjunction with the Diamine blacks. It is prepared for use by dissolving in hydrochloric acid, 10 lb. naphthylamine ether powder heated with 5 lb. hydrochloric acid and 50 gallons water. About 1¼ per cent. is required to form a developing bath. Naphthylamine ether is also sent out in the form of a paste mixed with acid, and containing about 25 per cent. of the actual developer.
Fast blue developer A D (Cassella), is amidodiphenylamine. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in dilute acid,
10 lb. fast blue developer A D, 5 lb. hydrochloric acid and 35 gallons of water making the bath. To develop full shades 1 to 1½ per cent, is required.
Blue developer A N (Cassella). The base of this is insoluble in water, but dissolves in soda, and is probably a naphthol-sulpho acid. The product, as met with in the market, is soluble in water, and 27 lb. dissolved in 20 gallons of water form the bath. To produce full shades 1½ per cent, is usually required.