Carbon Black (N330) - China

Brief Overview

CCarbon black, which comes in several forms such as acetylene black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and thermal black, is a substance that is left behind when heavy petroleum fuels like coal, ethylene cracking tar, FCC tar, and, to a lesser degree, vegetable oil, partially burn. With over 96% amorphous carbon and trace quantities of oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur, which are concentrated on the surface, it has the appearance of a black, finely split pellet or powder. Up to 15% of the carbon in oxidized carbon black may be oxygen. Because carbon black's characteristics may be modified for certain uses, production techniques and process parameter modifications result in a various way. It consists of botryoidal or chain-type aggregates that are produced from tiny, mostly spherical particles. These aggregates come together to create sizable agglomerates inside the reactor. Conductive carbon blacks are used in antistatic plastic coatings and other applications due to their high specific surface area and extensively ramified aggregates.

Manufacturing Process

Hydrocarbons such as oil or natural gas serve as input materials in the processes of partial combustion or thermal breakdown, leading to the production of carbon black. The categorization of carbon black is based on the production technique, as its properties vary depending on the method employed. The term "furnace black" specifically refers to carbon black produced through the furnace process, which is currently the most widely utilized method, distinguishing it from carbon black produced through alternative procedures. In this process, carbon black is formed by partially combusting coal or petroleum oil as a raw material (feedstock oil) in high-temperature gases. This method is preferred for mass production due to its high yield and precise control over attributes like particle size and structure.

Rubber Industry

Carbon black is mostly used as a color and a reinforcing filler in tires and other rubber goods. Carbon black-stiffening natural rubber is a common material used in automotive anti-vibrating components. It is used in several formulae with different types of rubber to change the performance attributes of the tire.

Paint and Coating Industry

Inks, paints, toners, and resin coloring all usually contain carbon black. When used as a black pigment, it works well as a coloring agent as well. Specialty carbon blacks are used in paints and coatings to create transparent coloring, tint white and colorful coatings, including decorative paints, and mass tone colors.

Food Industry

In addition to being a popular food coloring, carbon black is also widely employed in drinking water treatment, solvent recovery, and industrial waste odor control.

Other Applications

Among other things, carbon black is used as an electrical conductive substance in floppy disks, fibers, and antistatic coatings. It has also been utilized as a filler for automobile gasoline caps and pipes, as well as an antistatic agent.