7/1/2022

Uses of Conductive Carbon Black in Plastics

Most polymers, like rubber and silicone, are natural insulators. But when you need to add some conductivity to your polymer, what do you do? In this case, conductive carbon black is can help. Conductive carbon black can increase the conductivity of polymers, and depending on your application this could be positive or negative.

What is conductive carbon black?

Conductive carbon black is a polymer additive that is created by incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products. Its structure is made up of carbon crystal which give the additive its conductive properties.

Uses of conductive carbon black

When used in the correct application, conductive carbon black added to polymers can introduce the following properties:

  • Conductivity
  • Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
  • Electromagnetic Shielding (EMI)

With these properties, you can reduce harm to products, users, and machinery. This makes it especially useful in industries like robotics, medical devices, and paper and media handling.

Potential issues when using conductive carbon black

Conductive carbon black is quite effective at creating conductivity in polymers, but depending on how it’s used, it can create some issues. It may emit debris, create conductive uniformity, or leave black marks. In industries like paper handling, you’ll have to be especially careful about the conductive carbon black leaving black marks. The marking is similar to a pencil mark.

Plastic Service Centers | Conductive carbon black distribution and more

Plastic Service Centers provide reliable, fairly priced distribution of polymers, resins, and additives throughout the U.S.A., Mexico, and Canada. We carry a wide selection of products totaling over 4,000,000 pounds of inventory across our strategically spaced distribution centers. This allows us to quickly distribute the products you need in large volumes so that you can keep production on schedule.

Give us a call now to ask about our conductive carbon black products at (586) 333-3508 or send in an online contact form!