PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION

VO L U M E 1
ISSUE 7
N OV E M B E R 2011

MICROFINE CARBON BLACK - NORMAL CARBON BLACK

Microfine carbon black The particle size of normal ASTM type carbon black, has been reduced to through
microfining process, to achieve better dispersion and rheological properties, with lower requirement of additives to
achieve superior dispersion.

PARTICLE SIZE AND SHAPE

The particle size, shape and distribution of a pigment influence the rheological properties, shade, gloss,
weathering characteristics and ease of dispersion.
Pigment particles can occur in three different forms:
(i) Primary particles
(ii) Aggregates
(iii) Agglomerates.
Primary particles in a single piece of pigment can be identified as an individual by microscopic examination.
Aggregates are primary particles that are firmlycemented together at crystalline areas.
Agglomerates are comparatively loosely bound primary particles and aggregates that are joined at crystal
corners and edges.
The particle size of the dispersed pigment agglomerates or primary particles is of great importance in
determining the performance of paint systems.

1 of 4

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION

VO L U M E 1 I S S U E 7 N OV E M B E R 2011

The size of particles of pigments may range between 1 and 60 diameters.

Most pigments and extenders used in paints are Crystalline in nature. Non-crystalline pigments such as the carbon
blacks are also used in the paint industry.
The optical properties of carbon black are influenced by both the sizes of the primary particles and the sizes of the
dispersed agglomerates or aggregates. Theoretical calculations, based on Mie theory and empirical results have
shown that the degree of blackness (jetness) obtained from a carbon black increases as the mean size of the
agglomerate is decreased. Accordingly, jetness increases as primary particle size is deceased but only after all
agglomerates are dispersed to their component aggregates. It is for this reason that dispersion conditions and
dispersion stability play such important roles in determining paint film color characteristics.
The black paint the maximum blue undertone is achieved from well dispersed pigments having the smallest
particle sizes given the importance of excellent dispersion, the other important consideration in achieving good
color with carbon black is the proper selection of a dispersing apparatus. Dispersion mills utilize a mixture of crushing
and shearing energy, different mills give different relative amounts of the two types of energy, Figure below

For in this case to use of the micronized carbon black will improve the dispersion with low demand additive and
also to reduce the dispersion time.

2 of 4

VO L U M E 1 I S S U E 7 N OV E M B E R 2011

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION

TABLE 1 : PARTICLE SIZE AND PERFORMANCE

LARGE PARTICLE

SMALL PARTICLE

Lighter

Jetness

Darker

Lower

Tint Strength

Higher

Less

UV Protection

More

Lower

Conductivity

Higher

Lower

Viscosity

Higher

Better

Dispersibility

Worse

TABLE 2: STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE

LARGE STRUCTURE

HIGH STRUCTURE

Darker

Jetness

Lighter

Higher

Tint Strength

Lower

Lower

Conductivity

Higher

Lower

Viscosity

Higher

Worse

Dispersibility

Better

DISPERSION RATIO OF MICROFINE CARBON BLACK VS NORMAL CARBON BLACK

3 of 4

VO L U M E 1 I S S U E 7 N OV E M B E R 2011

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION

MICRONIZED CARBON BLACK TYPICAL SPECIFICATION

TEST
PARAMETERS

UNIT

ASTM
METHOD

Appearance

N220
MICRONIZED
CARBON
BLACK

N330
MICRONIZED
CARBON
BLACK

N326
MICRONIZED
CARBON
BLACK

Black Fine
Powder

Black Fine
Powder

Black Fine
Powder

Iodine No

mg/g

D 1510-03

121 5

82 5

82 5

DBP Absorption

cc/100g

D 2414-05

114 5

102 5

72 5

Tint Strength

% ITRB

D 3265

116 5

104 5

111 5

Heating Loss

D 1509

1 max

1.5 max

1.5 max

Ash Content

D 1506

1 max

1 max

1 max

Sieve Residue 350

BSS mesh

0.6max

0.6max

0.6max

D 1514

Available in 25 kg bags across all our warehouses.

4 of 4

Ram Charan Company | "Century Towers", 46, Barnaby Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010
Tel : +44 - 4353 9040 / 41 / 42 Fax : +44 - 4330 7050 Email : all@ramcharan.org
Mumbai | 09821216311
mumbai@ramcharan.org

Kolkatta | 09433346713
calcutta@ramcharan.org

Hyderabad | 09848208821
hyd@ramcharan.org

Chennai | 044 43539040

chennai@ramcharan.org

Hosur| 09443272475
hosur@ramcharan.org

Madurai | 09843044928
madurai@ramcharan.org

Cochin | 09847030708
cochin@ramcharan.org

Bangalore | 09980777298
bangalore@ramcharan.org