Carbon Black for Coatings and Paints

In the paint and coatings sector, carbon black is the pigment with the highest tinting strength per unit cost. Even at very low levels it provides a deep black and high hiding power. It is also exceptionally resistant to light and weathering: where most organic black pigments fade over time, carbon black keeps its color.

The question of undertone

Carbon black is not a single "black". As particle size decreases, the undertone shifts toward blue and the perceived blackness deepens; with coarse particles, the undertone turns brownish. That is why the deep, bluish black sought in automotive topcoats is achieved with fine-particle grades. In industrial protective coatings, tone is secondary; cost and ease of dispersion come first.

Applications

• Automotive: Tone and UV resistance in primer, basecoat and clearcoat systems.
• Industrial protective coatings: Both color and barrier contribution on steel structures, pipelines and marine vessels.
• Powder coatings: Thermal stability in systems cured at high temperature.
• Wood and decorative: Tone adjustment and lightfastness.
• Aerospace and marine: Long life under harsh weather conditions.

Dispersion: the hardest part of the paint

Carbon black is one of the hardest pigments to disperse in paint formulations. High surface area requires high dispersion energy; insufficient dispersion produces a gray, dull and weak film. Working with the right dispersant and sufficient grinding time can be more critical than grade selection.

What PE wax does in coatings

Micronized PE wax is used as a surface additive in paints and varnishes: it provides slip, increases scratch and rub resistance, prevents blocking and helps create a matting effect. In powder coatings, it improves flow and surface smoothness.