Cabot Homepage


Displaying 1-10 of 19 results< previous 1 2 next >
Aggregate: what is a carbon black aggregate?


Aggregates are the smallest functional unit of carbon black. They are formed through the fusion of smaller units, called primary particles, into a three dimensional branched chain structure.
Ash content: What is carbon black ash content?


Ash content is the amount of non-carbon components present after combustion of carbon black at 550°C for 16 hours. The ASTM designation for this test is D 1506.
Carbon black: How is carbon black produced?


Ninety-five percent of all carbon black is made using the furnace process. The feedstock (oil) is injected into a high temperature reactor where the hydrocarbon is cracked and dehydrogenated to form carbon with a quasi-graphitic microstructure. Carbon black is composed of very small primary particles, which fuse to form branched aggregates. Post reactor operations include beading the “fluffy” low density black for improved storage and handling. Grades optimized for plastics use special manufacturing technology for improved dispersion, cleanliness and other targeted critical properties to enhance performance for specific applications.
Compound: What is a compound?


A compound is the intimate admixture of a polymer or polymers with other ingredients such as fillers, plasticizers, catalysts and colorants - prepared for further manufacturing.
Conductivity: How does carbon black make a plastic conductive?


Carbon black is more conductive than a polymer or rubber. Addition of carbon black reduces the electrical resistivity by forming a conductive network through the polymer/rubber matrix. Special grades have been developed to optimize conductivity at lower dosage while meeting all the other critical performance requirements for conductive applications. For example, carbon blacks for semi-conductive cable compounds are optimized for smoothness, conductivity, chemical cleanliness, strippability, etc.
Electronics Packaging: What are the typical applications in the area of electronics packaging?


Typical applications include: crates made of conductive PP, carrier tapes made of conductive PS, bags made of conductive LDPE.
ESD: Can the risk of ESD be reduced? If so, how?


You can reduce ESD by allowing the static charge to be conducted harmlessly to earth. This can be achieved by using conductive materials.<BR><BR>Most natural thermoplastic resins are normally electric insulators. Carefully designed formulations of conductive carbon blacks and the same resins can change their electrical characteristics from insulating to conductive.<BR><BR>Cabot has developed a range of compounds that are electrically conductive and therefore greatly reduce the risk of a catastrophic discharge of electrostatic energy.
ESD: what does ESD mean?


ESD stands for Electro Static Discharge. An electrostatic discharge is a transfer of electrostatic charges between bodies at different electrostatic potentials caused by direct contact or induced by an electrostatic field.<BR><BR>Static electricity is part of everyday life. At some time or another, everybody gets a shock, for example, by walking across a nylon carpet (= generation of static electricity) and then touching the lift (elevator) button (= electrostatic discharge). Although annoying, this is not always dangerous, but in certain areas, a static spark can lead to disastrous events
ESD: when is ESD hazardous?


ESD (Electrical Static Discharge) can build up on the surface of petrol (gasoline) pump hoses, on polyethylene bags, or boxes containing explosive materials, such as gunpowder. It also can be found on tools used in confined spaces, such as mines and tunnels. One spark could be devastating. Delicate electronic components are easily damaged by static discharge and subsequent faults in assembled equipment can be costly. <BR>Static electricity is a natural phenomenon. Nothing can be done to prevent it from happening, but a great deal can be done to reduce its effects.
How does carbon black impart electrical conductivity to polymeric systems?


Carbon black is more conductive than polymers, resins, or rubber. Addition of carbon black reduces the electrical resistivity by forming a conductive network through the polymeric matrix. Grades of carbon black have been developed to optimize conductivity at lower loadings while meeting all other critical performance requirements for conductive applications.