The various production processes for obtaining Carbon Black have their advantages and each process is characterized by a certain product range. The key parameters, as shown in Table 1, provide an overview of the characteristic data for the main Carbon Black production processes.
Each process shows a characteristic primary particle diameter distribution curve. An electron microscope image of the individual Carbon Black type is used to determine the quantity and size of the primary particles, which then yields the number of specific diameter clusters.
Table 1 - Carbon Black variance for different production processes.
| Process Type |
Partial Oxidation |
Thermal Decomposition |
| Carbon Black |
Lamp Black |
Gas Black |
Furnace Black |
Thermal Black |
Acetylene Black |
| Nitrogen Surface Areaa |
m2/g |
16-24 |
90-500 |
15-450 |
6-15 |
approx. 65 |
| Iodine Adsorptionb |
mg/g |
23-33 |
n.a. |
15-450 |
6-10 |
approx. 100 |
| Primary Particle Size |
nm |
110-120 |
10-30 |
10-80 |
120-500 |
32-42 |
| OANc |
ml/100g |
100-120 |
n.a. |
40-200 |
37-43 |
150-200 |
| Jetness Myd |
- |
200-220 |
230-300 |
210-300 |
170-190 |
225 |
| Tint Strengthe |
% |
20-35 |
90-150 |
50-160 |
approx. 20 |
n.a. |
| Volatile Matterf |
% |
1-2.5 |
4-24 |
0.5-6 |
0.5-1.0 |
0.5-2.0 |
| pH**g |
- |
6-9 |
4-6 |
6-10 |
7-9 |
5-8* |
* Pressureless process **Treated carbon blacks may have a pH value as low as 2.
a) ISO 4652/18852, ASTM D6556, DIN 6613. b) ISO 1304, ASTM D1510. c) ISO 4656, ASTM D2414. d) DIN 55979. e) ISO 5435, ASTM D3265. f) DIN 53552. g) ISO 787/9, ASTM D1512.
Fig. 1 shows the primary particle size distribution curve for each of the main production methods. Fine Carbon Blacks (Gas Blacks) for instance are clustered in a relatively narrow primary particle size range. Coarser Carbon Blacks exhibit flatter curves.
Figure 1 - Distribution curves for primary particle diameters

Source: Orion, What is Carbon Black? Brochure.