Carbon Black Grades and Applications
Introduction to Carbon Black
Carbon black is a fine black powder produced by the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products. It is widely used as a reinforcing filler, pigment, and performance enhancer in various industries, especially in rubber, plastics, coatings, inks, and batteries. Understanding the different carbon black grades and their applications helps manufacturers choose the right product for better performance and cost efficiency.
At Iran Chemical Mine, we supply high-quality carbon black for multiple industries across the Middle East, CIS, and global markets, offering competitive prices and reliable delivery.
What Are Carbon Black Grades?
Carbon black is classified into different grades based on particle size, surface area, structure, and performance characteristics. These factors influence properties like strength, conductivity, color intensity, and durability.
The most common carbon black grade classifications include:
1. ASTM N Grades
ASTM International classifies carbon black for rubber reinforcement under the “N” system (e.g., N220, N330, N550, N660).
- N220: High reinforcement, excellent abrasion resistance.
- N330: Balanced grade, widely used in tires and general rubber.
- N550 & N660: Medium/low reinforcement, good for smooth processing.
2. Conductive Grades
Grades designed with higher surface area to provide electrical conductivity, often used in batteries, cables, and electronics.
3. Specialty Grades
Fine particle carbon blacks used for inks, coatings, and plastics to deliver deep black color, UV protection, and high tint strength.
N-330
N-330 Carbon Black is a medium reinforcing grade that provides rubber compounds with good abrasion resistance, easy processability, high tensile strength and desirable tear properties. These characteristics make N-330 an ideal choice for a variety of rubber compounds with high mechanical performance.
Features
Good abrasion resistance Easy processability High tensile strength Desirable tear properties
Applications
Truck & Passenger Tires Mechanical Rubber Goods Other General Rubber Compounds.
Grade N-339
Carbon Black N-339 is a high structure, high modulus grade that provides rubber compounds with excellent extrusion and abrasion resistance properties, improved abrasion resistance and hysteresis behavior. Due to its favorable balance between mechanical strength and processability, this grade is an ideal choice for compounds that require high durability and performance.
Features
High structure, high modulus Excellent abrasion resistance and durability Improved extrusion properties Improved hysteresis behavior.
Applications
High structure, high modulus Excellent abrasion resistance and durability Improved extrusion properties Improved hysteresis behavior.
Grade N-326
N-326 carbon black is a low structure grade that provides low modulus, high elongation at break and excellent tensile strength to rubber compounds. These characteristics make N-326 an ideal choice for applications requiring high flexibility and desirable mechanical durability.
Features
Low Structure Low modulus with high elongation at break Excellent tensile strength Improves mechanical properties and flexibility of compounds.
Applications
Mechanical Rubber Goods Tire Carcasses Belts & Seals Off-the-Road Tread.
Grade N-234
Carbon Black N-234 is a high-structure, high-modulus grade that provides excellent abrasion resistance, improved abrasion properties, and increased extrudability, making it a prime choice in the formulation of widely used rubber compounds. This grade performs well in many elastomers and is particularly widely used in the production of high-quality radial tire cords and conveyor belt compounds. N-234 is considered one of the most important reinforcing grades in the rubber industry due to its excellent mechanical strength, durability, and good processability.
Features
High structure and high modulus Excellent abrasion resistance and durability Improved extrusion properties and processability Suitable for various elastomers
Applications
Radial Tire Tread Conveyor Belt Compounds Other Reinforced Elastomer Products
Grade N-234
Carbon Black N-234 is a high-structure, high-modulus grade that provides excellent abrasion resistance, improved abrasion properties, and increased extrudability, making it a prime choice in the formulation of widely used rubber compounds. This grade performs well in many elastomers and is particularly widely used in the production of high-quality radial tire cords and conveyor belt compounds. N-234 is considered one of the most important reinforcing grades in the rubber industry due to its excellent mechanical strength, durability, and good processability.
Features
High structure and high modulus Excellent abrasion resistance and durability Improved extrusion properties and processability Suitable for various elastomers.
Applications
Radial Tire Tread Conveyor Belt Compounds Other Reinforced Elastomer Products.
Grade N-299
Carbon Black N-299 is a series of grades with very high reinforcement performance that gives rubber compounds outstanding mechanical properties such as abrasion resistance, tensile strength and tear resistance. With its favorable dispersibility and easy processability, this grade is considered an ideal choice for the production of premium quality rubber products.
Features
Very high abrasion resistance Excellent reinforcement performance Good dispersibility and processability Increases the tensile strength and tear resistance of compounds.
Applications
Very high abrasion resistance Excellent reinforcement performance Good dispersibility and processability Increases the tensile strength and tear resistance of compounds.
Grade N-375
N-375 carbon black is a less structured grade than N-339 that provides excellent processability properties to rubber compounds and allows for high oil loading with low die swell. This grade also improves the hysteresis, durability and tensile strength of the compounds, providing a favorable balance between mechanical performance and processability.
Features
Less structured than N-339 Excellent processability and high extrudability High oil loading with low swell Improved hysteresis, durability and tensile strength.
Applications
Tire Treads Conveyor Belts Mechanical Rubber Goods.
Choosing the Right Carbon Black Grade
Factors to Consider
- Application requirement (reinforcement, conductivity, pigmentation).
- Particle size and structure (affects performance and processing).
- Cost vs. performance balance.
Industrial Examples
- Automotive manufacturers prefer N220 and N330 for tire production.
- Plastic producers use specialty black grades for weather-resistant products.
- Battery makers demand conductive carbon black for performance.
Why Choose Iran Chemical Mine as Your Carbon Black Supplier?
At Iran Chemical Mine, we provide a wide range of carbon black grades suitable for rubber, plastic, ink, coating, and battery industries.
- Reliable sourcing from top producers.
- Competitive prices compared to global suppliers.
- Timely delivery to Middle East, CIS, and international markets.
- Technical support to help you choose the best grade for your application.
👉 Check out our other related products such as White Oil, Slack Wax, and Bitumen.
Carbon black grades vary in structure, particle size, and performance, making each suitable for different industries. From tires and rubber products to plastics, coatings, inks, and batteries, carbon black remains one of the most versatile industrial materials. By partnering with a reliable supplier like Iran Chemical Mine, you ensure consistent quality, competitive pricing, and strong technical support.
