What is Carbon Black? Carbon black is a pigment formed by the reaction of a hydrocarbon fuel, such as oil or gas, with a limited amount of combustion air at temperatures between 1320 and 1540 °C. It is a very fine, fluffy powder with a large surface area, consisting mainly of carbon. Although carbon black has 95% carbon content, it also contains small amounts of oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. “The View of Carbon Black under the Microscope.” Production Methods of Carbon Black As a result of production methods, carbon black varieties with different standards emerge. Carbon black can have different “Carbon Particle” sizes, “Aggregate” sizes, and “Agglomerate” sizes depending on the production method. These 3 dimensions determine the main property characteristics of carbon black. Carbon particle sizes can range from 10 nm to 500 nm. “Carbon particle, Aggregate structure consisting of particles and Agglomerate structure and size ranges formed by connecting aggregates to each other.” The dyeing power, color tone, ultraviolet resistance, dispersibility, and similar important properties of carbon black depend on the 3 dimensions given above. Basically, Carbon Black is obtained by breaking down hydrocarbons into carbon and hydrogen components by thermal decomposition or thermal oxidation decomposition methods. The most common production method is the “Furnace Black Reactor,” which belongs to the basic oxidation separation group. “Schematic view of carbon black processing in a furnace reactor.” Carbon Black Nominations and ASTM Codes Carbon blacks are named according to the system in which they were first produced and, as a result, according to the properties they have. PURE Carbon Black: “Super Abrasion Furnace Black” – Super Abrasion Furnace Black HAF Carbon Black: “High-Abrasion Furnace Black” – High-Abrasion Furnace Black. SRF Carbon Black: “Semi-Reinforcing Furnace Black” – Semi-Reinforcing Furnace Black. The coding given to determine the Carbon Black type has been redefined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to provide more detailed information. The ASTM code starts with the N or S code first. Given as “N: Normal Cure”  , “S: Slow Cure”. It is given for the suitability of carbon black in “cure” (remediation) processes of rubber. For example, N330 Carbon Black: According to the previously mentioned coding, it is in the HAF Carbon Black group. N770 Carbon Black: It is in the SRF Carbon Black group. N330 and N770 carbon blacks are the most common carbon blacks used in the plastics industry. Carbon blacks used in rubber applications are typically classified as N100 – N900 series blacks, where increasing N numbers indicate decreased surface area and increased grain size. As the grain size increases, the carbon black mixing time, viscosity, abrasion resistance, and hardness decrease. ASTM Name Surface Area (m2/g) Particle Dimension (nm) N220 ISAF – Intermediate Super Abrasion Furnace 110-140 20-25 N330 HAF – High Abrasion Furnace 70-90 26-30 N550 FEF – Fast Extrusion Furnace 36-52 40-48 N660 GPF – General Purpose Furnace 31-39 50-54 The first number, such as 3 and 7 in the ASTM code, gives the group number where carbon black is found and it gives the user an idea of the average particle size of the carbon black. Group Number Average Particle Size (mm) Average Surface Area (m2/g) 0 0 – 10 > 150 1 10 – 19 121 – 150 2 20 – 25 100 – 120 3 26 – 30 70 – 99 4 31 – 39 50 – 69 5 40 – 48 40 – 49 6 49 – 60 33 – 39 7 61 – 100 21 – 32 8 101 – 200 11 – 20 9 201 – 500 0 – 10 The Properties of Carbon Black Carbon particle size has a significant influence on the characteristic properties of carbon black. Therefore, the most important parameter when talking about carbon black can be called the carbon particle size. Another important parameter is the aggregate size formed by the particles coming together. Carbon black properties are divided into physicochemical and compound properties. “Carbon Black Structure” Physico – Chemical Properties Particle Size: This refers to the size of a single carbon black particle. The smaller the particle size, the larger the specific surface. Structure: This indicates the state of particles adhering to others of similar size and also indicates oil absorption. The greater the oil absorption, the more complex the configuration. Surface Characteristic: Various functional groups are combined on the surface of carbon black. We can change the compound properties by changing the surface properties. Total Distribution: It is related to the size of the aggregates. If the distribution is sharp, it indicates that there are many clusters of the same size. Compunded Properties Reinforcement: Carbon black is added to rubber used in tire treads, high-pressure hoses, and other demanding applications, and is also added to plastics as a material reinforcement. This property can be divided into carbon black and material physical adsorption (depending on the particle size and structure of carbon black) and particle surface and material chemical reaction of carbon black (depending on the surface properties of carbon black). Conductivity: Conductive carbon black is added to natural rubber or other materials to reduce electrical resistance. For example: the conductivity of natural rubber is 1015Ωcm, while the conductivity of conductive rubber (natural rubber + conductive carbon black) is between 1-1015Ωcm. This property is believed to be the result of the structure of the carbon black particles in contact with each other, forming conductive channels or the “tunnel effect” of electrons bouncing between the dispersed carbon black particles. Pigmentation: Carbon black has strong coloring properties, is heat resistant and suitable for plastic and film dyeing. This property is believed to be due to the particle size and the interaction of the structure with light. Anti-Ultraviolet Degradation Properties: Carbon black is excellent at absorbing ultraviolet light. Adding carbon black to other materials prevents ultraviolet degradation. This is because stress cracking is prevented in plastics containing carbon black, which purifies their crystals. Intended use of Carbon Blacks Carbon black is mainly used in the rubber and wheel industries. Carbon

What is the Carbon Black Determination Tester? “Carbon Black” pigment occurs as a result of the chemical reaction of a hydrocarbon fuel with a limited amount of air at a temperature between 1320 and 1540 °C. Carbon Black has a large surface area and is in powder form. By adding this pigment to the products, the resistance of the products against physical effects is increased. It is especially used to strengthen black rubber materials. Why is the Carbon Black Test Done, Why is the Amount and Distribution Examined Separately? It is done to check whether the part to be produced is in accordance with the standards. The amount of carbon black indicates that the samples have high physical strength and improved machinability. The resistance of the samples against the physical forces is important for the material quality. The carbon black distribution and particle size indicate the viscosity, wear resistance and hardness ratio of the sample. As the particle size increases, the viscosity, wear resistance and hardness of the sample decrease. In order to determine the percentage of carbon in plastic raw materials, “Pyrolysis” is performed in the first stage and “Calcination” is performed in the second stage. The “Carbon Black Percentage” of the sample is calculated from the differences in the mass measurements made before and after each step. Pyrolysis: It is the name given to the process of evaporating the plastic in an inert gas environment. Inert Gas: It is the name used in this process of nitrogen gas with 99.9% purity (the most used). Calcination: It is the name given to the process of reacting oxygen and carbon in the air environment with temperature and removing the carbon. Standards In order to get the right result, the following conditions should be applied without ignoring. The device should be treated sensitively and kept clean. Before starting the tests, nitrogen and air inlet should be installed and checked. In order for the test to give accurate results, the sample to be tested must be kept in the desiccator for 24 hours before the test. For the temperature to be entered for the 1st stage of the test, a temperature value of 550 °C (+-25 °C) must be entered according to ISO 6964 standards, and this stage should last 40 minutes. The purity of the nitrogen gas used should be 99.99%. Nitrogen flow rate should be 20 Liters/hour. A temperature value of 900 °C (+-50 °C) must be entered for the second stage and this stage should last 10 minutes. If the test is performed indoors, the hose coming from the gas outlet plug on the oven glass must enter the purification glasses on the device. The harmful gases that may arise during the pure water and silica gel pyrolysis stage in this treatment section should be considered. In Which Sectors is the Carbon Black Determination Device Used? In the Plastic Raw Materials Industry, In Plastic Pipe Production and Processing Sector, In Recycling Facilities, In the Rubber Product Production Sector Carbon Black Determination Device is needed. Which Samples is the Carbon Black Test Applied? PE, PP, PVC, PB etc. pipes and fittings, black plastics, “Carbon Black Determination Test” should be applied to all samples with added carbon black. How to Do the Carbon Black Test? The sample and crucible to be used are kept in the desiccator. Temperatures required for the test stages are entered into the device from the settings section of the device. The crucible is weighed on a precision scale. The crucible is slowly placed inside the furnace with a boat so that it is not affected by the particles remaining in the furnace. Plugs from which nitrogen gas comes are attached to the furnace glass. The first heating phase is started. After the first stage is completed and the furnace has cooled, the crucible is placed in the desiccator and left to cool. The first stage is weighed and entered into the device. The weighed crucible is placed back in the furnace and the second stage is started without the plugs being inserted. After the second stage is finished, the crucible is placed in the desiccator and left to cool. The last weighing is done and entered into the device. Formulas for Carbon Black and Ash Content The amount of carbon black and ash is calculated by the formulas below: m1 = Mass of Test Sample (g) m2 = Total Mass of Test Sample and Boat After Pyrolysis at 550 °C (g) m3 = Mass of Sample Boat (with Ash Residue) After Calcination at 900 °C (g) m = Mass of Sample boat (g) m1 = Mass of Test Sample (g) m3 = Mass of Sample Boat (with Ash Residue) After Calcination at 900 °C (g) How are the Test Results Assessed? The measured carbon black and ash amount is checked for compliance with the values in the standards of the tested material.