1. How to get the Best From Your Carbon Black
PNW Coatings Society
October 2014

2. Agenda Review of Carbon Black Fundamentals
Dispersion Process and Optimization
Process
Wetting
Dispersion
Stabilization
Correct Carbon Black Product
Dispersant types
Examples
Summary

3. Review of Carbon Black Fundamentals

4. Four Fundamental Properties of Carbon Black
Fineness
Particle Size Distribution
Structure
Aggregate Size/Shape Distribution
Porosity
Pore Size Distribution
Surface Activity
Surface Functionality Distribution

5. Properties of Carbon Black - Primary Particle Size
Measured directly by Electron Microscope or indirectly by tint test, ISA, NSA
A wide distribution of particle sizes within a product, but similar particle size within an aggregate
Birla Carbon make blacks with mean particle sizes from 8 nm to 100 nm
Raven 410
100 nm
Conductex 7055 Ultra
42 nm
Raven 5000 Ultra II
8nm
Raven 1255
21 nm

6. Surface area and its influence
Smaller particle diameter generally leads to high surface area
Surface area typically measured by nitrogen absorption (ASTM D6556) or iodine titration (ASTM D1510)
Birla Carbon’s carbon blacks have surface areas ranging from m2/g
High surface area is the single biggest predictor of color performance (masstone and tint)
Higher surface area increase viscosity and conductivity and UV protection
High surface area lower dispersibility

7. Carbon Blacks

8. Structure – Oil Absorption Number (ASTM D2414)
Oil Absorption Number, primarily influenced by aggregate size/shape, may be influenced by porosity
The amount of oil to reach a peak torque, results given as cubic centimetres of oil per 100 g carbon black

9. Effect of Structure on Performance
Higher structure (OAN) leads to
Slightly lower blackness and tint strength
Better dispersibility
Higher viscosity and vehicle demand
Higher electrical and thermal conductivity

10. Porosity and its Influence
Porosity is caused by oxidation in the reactor and is controlled by residence time
Indicated by a difference between Nitrogen Surface Area (NSA) & Statistical Thickness Surface Area (STSA)
High porosity gives an increase in
Conductivity
Viscosity
Moisture pick up
High porosity
Enables a low loading in conductive applications
Decreases gloss

11. Surface Activity and its Influence
Property describing the interaction of a carbon black surface with its surroundings
Furnace carbon blacks can be chemically surface treated after production to mimic channel blacks
Increase of surface activity by an increased number of acid groups leads to improved dispersion
Improves wetting of the carbon black by most vehicle systems
Reduces viscosity in liquid systems
Reduces conductivity
Carbon Black
as produced
Post treatment adds oxygen
groups to the surface
Oxidation
950 OC
No Oxygen

12. Measurement of Surface Activity
Volatile (Mass loss at 950 °C)
Usually indicative of oxygen function groups, sometimes influenced by moisture, sulfur and toluene extract
pH (ASTM D1512)
Generally assumed to indicate surface acidity by oxygen functional groups, often strongly influenced by sulfur levels
Oxygen Content
Direct measure of bulk oxygen
XPS Analysis
Measure of surface composition by atomic type, and some qualitative information on oxygen functionalities

13. Oxygen Functionality – Volatile
All of these functionalities can be present on the surface in different amounts, currently we do not control which species are on the surface of the carbon black
Increasing Acidity
Carboxyl
Phenol
Aldehyde
Lactone
Quinone
Anhydride
Ether

14. Dispersion Optimization

15. Stages of Dispersion Process
Premixing
Grinding
Depends on
Premixing
Grinding
Letdown

16. Correct Carbon Black Product
For full color coatings, a high surface area product, which gives a jet color and blue shade
For tint applications, there is a tradeoff between strength and blue shade. Higher tint products giver a browner shade, lower strength products give a blue shade.

17. Full Color Performance

18. Tint Color Performance

19. Dispersant Choice
Surfactants Low molecular weight dispersing agent which can modify the properties between the pigment and resin solution by lowering their interfacial tension.
Polymeric Dispersants Higher molecular weight dispersing agents, composed of anchoring groups and polymeric chains that stabilize dispersions via a steric stabilization mechanism.

20. Surfactants Can be Classified by Head Group Type
Anionic – negative charge
Sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) also called sodium lauryl sulfate
(C12H25)OSO3Na
Good for basic pigment surfaces
Cationic – positive charge
Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)
(C16H33)N(CH3)3Br
Good for acidic pigment surfaces
Nonionic – No charge
Octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether
(C12H25)(OCH2CH2)8OH
Good for neutral pigment surfaces
Zwitterionic – both postive and negative charge (on different parts of the molecule)
Phosphatidylcholine (as seen in lecithin)

21. Surfactants Can be Classified by Tail Type
Saturated
Unsaturated
Monounsaturated
Polyunsaturated

22. Phosphatidylcholine Structure
Red - choline and phosphate group
Black – glycerol
Green - unsaturated fatty acid
Blue - saturated fatty ac

23. Polymeric Dispersants
Polymeric dispersants are at least a two-component structure which combines the following requirements:
Specific Anchor Groups The dispersant must be capable of being strongly adsorbed into the carbon black surface via the anchoring groups.
Polymer Chains The dispersant must contain polymeric chains that give steric stabilization in the required solvent or resin system.

24. Effect of Dispersant Choice : Leather Coating

25. Effect of Dispersant Choice : WB Automotive

26. Effect of Dispersant Loading: WB Automotive

27. Effect of Dispersant Loading: SB Automotive

28. Summary
The first stage in getting the best from your carbon black, is choosing the right carbon black initially
Tailor dispersant and resin chemistry to optimize performance
Ladder study to optimize loading

29. Further Information : Thank you
MSDS, brochures and other information is available at birlacarbon.com
The International Carbon Black Association website carbon-black.org also contains useful health and safety information including a users guide