Carbon black: grades N220, N330, N550
Carbon black is a finely dispersed carbonaceous material formed by the incomplete combustion or thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons contained in natural and industrial gases, as well as liquid products of petroleum or coal origin. Carbon black represents an important class of industrial products widely used to modify the mechanical, electrical and other physical properties of the media in which it is dispersed. It plays a major role in elastomers, plastics, paints and inks as a reinforcing agent, black pigment and electrically conductive material.
ASTM D1765 Classification
The international classification of carbon black under ASTM D1765 is based on the ability of certain grades to change the vulcanisation rate of rubber compounds. Depending on this, grades are assigned letter indices: "N" (normal vulcanisation rate) and "S" (slow vulcanisation rate).
The first digit in the grade designation (after the letter) indicates the average particle size: N1xx series — 11–19 nm, N2xx — 20–25 nm, N3xx — 26–30 nm, N5xx — 40–48 nm, N6xx — 49–60 nm, N7xx — 61–100 nm. The last two digits are assigned by the ASTM committee and reflect specific structure and surface area characteristics.
Main Grades: N220, N330, N550
N220 (ISAF — Intermediate Super Abrasion Furnace). A reinforcing grade of carbon black. Iodine adsorption number is 121 ± 5 g/kg, oil absorption number is 114 ± 5 cm³/100 g, nitrogen surface area (NSA) is 114 ± 6 m²/g. It imparts high abrasion resistance, tensile and tear strength to rubbers. Recommended for high-quality tread compounds for all types of vehicles and tread stocks for retreading, as well as for high-quality moulded rubber products operating under severe conditions. Studies show that N220 provides better mechanical and conductive properties compared to other carbon black types.
N330 (HAF — High Abrasion Furnace). Also a reinforcing grade. Iodine adsorption number is 82 ± 5 g/kg, oil absorption number is 102 ± 5 cm³/100 g, NSA is 78 ± 6 m²/g. A versatile grade widely used in tyre and rubber technical products. N330 provides a good balance between strength, elasticity and abrasion resistance.
N550 (FEF — Fast Extrusion Furnace). A semi-reinforcing grade. Iodine adsorption number is 43 ± 5 g/kg, oil absorption number is 121 ± 5 cm³/100 g, NSA is 40 ± 6 m²/g. It imparts medium stiffness and resilience to rubbers. Used for tyre carcass and breaker compounds, as well as for inner tubes, profiled products, rubber technical seals, moulded products, cables and footwear. The lower surface area of N550 optimises sidewall flexibility and reduces heat build-up.
Comparative Processing Characteristics
Comparison of processing properties of rubber compounds based on butyl rubber BK-1675N with different carbon black grades shows that Mooney viscosity at 100 °C is practically independent of the carbon black grade used, differing by no more than 3%. The scorch time of rubber compounds containing more reinforcing grades (N220) is 15–20% shorter compared to less reinforcing grades (N550). The minimum torque increases with increasing carbon black activity.
Applications
The main consumer of carbon black is the tyre industry. Carbon black is used to reinforce tyre treads, carcasses and sidewalls, providing abrasion resistance, tensile strength and tear resistance. In the rubber technical industry, carbon black is used for conveyor belts, hoses, seals and other products.
In plastics, carbon black functions as a pigment, UV stabiliser and conductive additive. At low concentrations, it provides UV protection and reduces water uptake; at high concentrations, it increases stiffness and conductivity. Carbon black is also used in paints and coatings, printing inks, cable production and polymers.
Production and Market
The global carbon black market shows steady growth. In 2025, the market was valued at USD 24.61 billion, with projections to reach USD 33.82 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 5.44%. According to other estimates, the market will reach USD 54.9 billion by 2032. Furnace black accounts for about 76.3% of market revenue in 2025.
China is the largest carbon black producer: the country's effective capacity reached 9.397 million tonnes in 2025, accounting for 45.9% of global capacity. The largest global producers are Cabot Corporation, Orion Engineered Carbons, Birla Carbon, Tokai Carbon and others.
In Russia, carbon black production capacity is estimated at 700–800 kilotonnes per year, covering roughly 60–70% of national demand. The largest producer is Omsktekhuglerod LLC (part of Omsk Carbon Group) — one of the world's largest companies in the industry, producing over 250,000 tonnes of high-quality carbon black annually. Other producers: Tuymazytekhuglerod, Volgograd branch (capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year with expansion potential to 200,000 tonnes), JSC Ivanovsky Tekhuglerod i Rezina (up to 25,000 tonnes per year).
The main market growth drivers are the expansion of tyre production in the Asia-Pacific region, growing demand for conductive grades for batteries and cables, and the shift toward specialised grades with improved characteristics. Key challenges include feedstock price volatility (coal tar, residual fuel oil), accounting for up to 50% of operating costs, and tightening environmental regulation of CO₂ and PAH emissions.
Conclusion
Carbon black is an indispensable material of modern industry, combining the functions of a reinforcing filler, pigment and conductive additive. Grades N220, N330 and N550 occupy key positions in the tyre and rubber technical industries, providing an optimal balance between strength, abrasion resistance and processing characteristics. The development of production in Russia and worldwide, the shift toward specialised grades and the expansion of applications in new industries (batteries, cables, plastics) determine the sustainable growth of the carbon black market in the long term.