Carbon Black Quality Control and Testing
Carbon black quality control: which parameters are measured, with which ASTM methods and in which laboratory? What you will find on the certificate of analysis.
The quality of a chemical raw material is determined by measurement results, not by the label stuck on it. This page explains how the products we supply are measured.
Accredited laboratory
The analysis laboratory of the production facility is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. This standard is the internationally recognized reference for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and it guarantees the following: validity of the measurement method, calibration of equipment, competence of staff, traceability of results and standardized reporting.
Parameters measured for carbon black
The following parameters are measured with ASTM methods for every batch:
| Parameter | Method | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Iodine adsorption number | ASTM D1510 | Particle size / surface area |
| Oil absorption number (OAN) | ASTM D2414 | Structure |
| Compressed oil absorption number (COAN) | ASTM D3493 | Persistent structure |
| Nitrogen surface area (NSA) | ASTM D6556 | Total surface area |
| External surface area (STSA) | ASTM D6556 | Surface in contact with the rubber |
| Tint strength | ASTM D3256 | Particle distribution and consistency |
| Pour density | ASTM D1513 | Storage and transport volume |
| Heating loss | ASTM D1509 | Moisture content |
| Ash content | ASTM D1506 | Inorganic impurities |
| Sulfur content | ASTM D1619 | Cure balance |
| pH | ASTM D1512 | Surface chemistry |
| Toluene discoloration | ASTM D1618 | Organic impurities |
| Sieve residue | ASTM D1514 | Coarse particles and foreign matter |
| Pellet hardness | ASTM D5230 | Resistance in transport and breakdown in the compound |
| Fines content | ASTM D1508 | Dust content |
Parameters measured for PE wax
- Drop point: ASTM D3954 or D127
- Viscosity (140 °C): ASTM D3236
- Penetration: ASTM D1321
- Acid value: ASTM D1386 (for oxidized types)
- Density: ASTM D1505
- Color: ASTM D1500
How to read the certificate of analysis (CoA)
Next to each parameter, the certificate gives both the specification range and the measured value. The measured value being within range is a necessary condition; what you really need to watch, however, is how much the values move across consecutive batches. Consistency matters more than the absolute value, because you tune your formulation to a value, and that value should not drift from batch to batch.
Our guide that explains in detail how to read a certificate of analysis: How to read a technical data sheet
Requesting a sample certificate
If you would like to see a sample certificate of analysis before ordering, you can request one through the quote form. It is the first step to take when evaluating a new supplier.
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