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Conductive Carbon Black Pigment
Its Use in Plastic Products
Conductive Carbon Black Pigment
Table of Contents
Conductive Carbon Black Pigment and Its Use in Plastic Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Particle Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Carbon Black Designations and Typical Particle Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Volume Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Surface Resistivity of Conductive Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Static Build-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Electrical Resistance of Various Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Product Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
About Ampacet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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Conductive Carbon Black Pigment
Conductive Carbon Black Pigment and Its Use in Plastic Products
Over the years, carbon black has proven to be one of the most versatile materials to make
many types of products. It is utilized in a host of applications such as conductive rubber,
heating sheets, magnetic tapes, batteries, electrodes, inks, paints and coatings, and other uses.
Some of the more innovative uses of carbon black pigment have come from the plastics
industry, and more specifically in the fields of cables and electronics, automotive fuel systems,
thermoformed trays and packaging to impart conductivity or electrostatic dissipation (ESD).
As few plastic resins are inherently conductive, it is necessary to add fillers such as metal
powders or fibers. The most common filler used is carbon black, which can deliver the
desired conductive or static dissipative qualities in a most cost-effective way. In many cases
the compounds can offer other functional features as well. In addition to imparting color
and electrical conductivity, carbon black also provides the lowest cost protection against
UV light degradation of the polymer, making it ideal for outdoor uses.
Selection of the appropriate carbon black for use in the production of conductive or
ESD compounds is based not only on the properties of the final compound, but also on the
specific characteristics of the carbon black. The key carbon black properties are particle size,
structure, purity and porosity. These critical features of the carbon black are then combined
with various carrier resins in the compounding process to produce the product’s desired
performance criteria.
• Dependably exceptional dispersion
• Consistent particle size
• Integrity of the carbon black structure or network
• Specific resistance:
° High: <10 ohm-cm
° General: 10 –100 ohm-cm
° Antistatic: >1000 ohm-cm
Particle Size
When carbon black is incorporated into a polymer matrix, the size of the carbon black
particles from <20 nm to 100 nm is the key to achieve optimum jetness and dispersibility.
The particle size primarily relates to surface area. The finer the particle size, the larger
the number of carbon black particles are present in the structure’s surface. Generally the
smaller the particle size, the deeper the jetness; however, the finer the particles are, the
more difficult it becomes to get a good dispersion of the black pigment into the matrix.
Carbon Black Designations and Typical Particle Ranges
N-110: 11 – 19 nm
N-220: 20 – 25 nm
N-330: 26 – 30 nm
N-550: 40 – 48 nm
N-700: 61 – 100 nm
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Conductive Carbon Black Pigment
Structure
Like particle size, the type of molecular structure also affects the jetness and dispersibility
of carbon black. The increase of structure size improves dispersibility but lowers jetness.
The size and complexity of the structure is determined by the volume of primary black
particles, which cluster together during the production process. The complex particle
structure consists of branched chains with many secondarily created spaces in the aggregate.
Carbon blacks with a more complex structure are easier to disperse and demonstrate the
highest electrical conductivity.
Structure
Particle Size
COOH
COOH
OH
Surface Chemistry
Conductivity
Conductivity is measured by the surface resistivity (SR) of the conductive part. Enhanced
conductivity performance for a conductive black compound will permit the design engineer
to use the appropriate loading of carbon black to achieve the minimum required surface
resistivity for each individual application.
Conductivity is dependent on several factors:
• The polymer matrix
• The type of conductive black
• The concentration of the conductive black
• The dispersion quality of the compound
• The distribution of the conductive black during extrusion
Volume Conductivity
Increased volume conductivity generally means decreased surface resistance. The graph
below illustrates the internal resistance of various substances. To reduce internal resistance of
a polymer, it is quite common to add carbon black. The necessary amount will vary, depending
on the desired end properties of the polymer film or molded part.
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Conductive Carbon Black Pigment
Surface Resistivity of Conductive Compounds
Surface Resistivity for Typical EVA Based Conductive Black Film (5mil)
5 10 15 20 25 30 35
1.00E+16
1.00E+14
1.00E+12
SR (ohms/sq)
1.00E+10
1.00E+08
1.00E+06
1.00E+04
1.00E+02
1.00E+00
% Carbon Black Loading
For customers, Ampacet’s R&D Center in Terre Haute, Indiana can measure surface resistivity
in a variety of finished products.
Static Build-Up
Static build-up and its associated problems are usually caused when certain materials
are rubbed against each other, such as wool on plastic, or the polymer soles of shoes on
carpeting. This can be a common household occurrence. The process causes electrons to be
pulled from the surface of one material and relocated onto the surface of the other material.
A static shock happens when the surface of a material, negatively charged with electrons,
touches a positively charged conductor material, or vice versa. To avoid this type of electric
shock, conductive black particles in a polymer can be utilized to achieve conductivity in fibers.
Ampacet makes a specially formulated conductive black product for this type of application as
static protection yarn and other end products.
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Conductive Carbon Black Pigment
Electrical Resistance of Various Materials
Electrical Resistance of Various Materials
1016
Surface Resistivity (ohm/sq)
1014
Plastics
1012
Antistatic
1010
108
Static Dissipative
106
104
Conductive Composites
102
100
Pure Compressed Carbon Black
10-2
10-4
10-6
Metals
Product Selection
Ampacet Corporation offers a number of high quality, performance oriented products using
conductive carbon blacks. The following table provides a quick reference to the commercial
offerings. Ampacet Corporation also will custom engineer products to meet the specific
needs of most applications.
Product % Carbon Carrier Resin Application Features
7992749 25% Co-polymer Blown Film Good Performance/
Cost Balance
190713 37% Co-polymer General For Multiple Types of Extrusion
190802 26% mLLD Blown Film Metallocene Base Adds Strength
192444 32% LDPE Fibers
If your extrusion process or final polymer part is affected by electrostatic build-up or if
enhanced conductivity is desired, it may be possible to solve these issues by using a conductive
black masterbatch or compound. For assistance to determine the most suitable conductive
black for your application, please contact your Ampacet sales representative.
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Conductive Carbon Black Pigment
About Ampacet
Founded in 1937, Ampacet Corporation is a leading global masterbatch supplier committed to
designing innovative custom color, special effect, high performance and sustainable products
and solutions. Ampacet also manufactures a proprietary line of machinery and feeders for the
plastic industry aimed to improve efficiencies in plastics manufacturing.
Headquartered in Tarrytown, NY, Ampacet employs more than 2,000 people worldwide,
with 25 manufacturing sites including technical and color development centers in 18 countries
throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe.
Contact Us
Ampacet Corporation – US Headquarters
660 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, NY 10591
www.ampacet.com
(914) 631-6600
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