White carbon black, also known as hydrated silica, has the chemical formula SiO2 · nH2O. It is a white, non-toxic, amorphous, ultrafine powder inorganic silicon compound with excellent properties such as porosity, high dispersibility, light weight, good chemical stability, high temperature resistance, non combustion, and good electrical insulation. It has been widely used in many fields such as plastics, rubber, papermaking, coatings, dyes, and inks.

On the other hand, due to the presence of active silicon hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica, silica is hydrophilic and difficult to infiltrate and disperse in organic phases, making it unusable in certain special fields. However, the modified white carbon black greatly expands the application fields of the product due to its improved surface activity.

Let's take a look at which industries favor white carbon black.

01
Application in tires

White carbon black is used as a reinforcing agent, with the largest amount used in the rubber industry, accounting for 70% of the total amount. White carbon black can significantly improve the physical properties of the rubber material, reduce the hysteresis of the rubber material, reduce the rolling resistance of the tire, and do not lose its wet slip resistance. In the rubber industry, carbon black is a very effective reinforcing agent, but its biggest drawback is that it cannot be used to prepare colored products. Ultrafine white carbon black is used as a reinforcing filler in the production of green tires and can replace carbon black in the sidewall. It can significantly increase the tear strength and crack growth resistance of the sidewall, but has no significant effect on the vulcanization time. Ozone aging resistance depends on the amount of antioxidants and white carbon black used. Adding white carbon black to the tread compound of tires can improve the cutting and tearing resistance of the tread, and reduce bouncing and chipping. Compared with ordinary carbon black filled rubber, the rolling resistance of white carbon black filled rubber can be reduced by 30%.


02
Application in defoamers

Vapor phase white carbon black generally includes hydrophilic and hydrophobic products, of which hydrophobic products are obtained by surface chemical treatment of hydrophilic products. Now various defoamer manufacturers generally use hydrophobic vapor phase white carbon black, which uses hydrophobic groups on its surface to attract the hydrophobic end of the surfactant in the foaming system, making hydrophobic solid particles become hydrophilic, thus reducing the concentration of surfactant in foam, Promote the foam to burst and improve the defoaming speed.

03
Application in the paint and coating industry

White carbon black can be used as a rheological additive, anti settling agent, dispersant aid, and matting agent in paint production, playing a role in thickening, anti settling, thixotropy, and matting. It can also improve the weather resistance and scratch resistance of the coating, the adhesion strength between the coating and the substrate, the hardness of the coating, the aging resistance of the coating, and the ultraviolet absorption and infrared light reflection characteristics.

04
Application in Electronic Packaging

By fully dispersing the surface active treated fumed silica in the silicone modified epoxy resin packaging adhesive matrix, the curing time of the packaging material can be significantly reduced (from 2.0 to 2.5 hours), and the curing temperature can be reduced to room temperature, significantly improving the sealing performance of OLED devices and increasing their service life.

The addition and application of fumed silica has reduced the process of electronic device packaging that used to require special environments to room temperature conditions, significantly reducing production costs, shortening the curing time of packaging materials, greatly improving production efficiency and reducing production costs, and promoting the popularization and application of the new generation of OLED display technology.


05
Application in plastics

White carbon black is also often used in new types of plastics. Adding a small amount of white carbon black during plastic mixing can have a significant reinforcing effect, improve the hardness and mechanical properties of the material, and thus improve the processing technology and product performance. In addition, white carbon black has the characteristics of small particle size and high transparency, which can make plastics denser and increase their transparency.


06
Application in Ceramics

Adding gas-phase white carbon black instead of nano Al2O3 to 95 ceramics can not only act as nanoparticles, but also serve as a second phase particle. This not only improves the strength and toughness of ceramic materials, but also improves the hardness and elastic modulus of the material, which is more ideal than adding Al2O3. The use of fumed silica to composite ceramic substrates not only improves the density, toughness, and smoothness of the substrate, but also significantly reduces the sintering temperature. In addition, the application effect of fumed silica in ceramic filters, corundum balls and other ceramic products is also very significant.

According to the editor of China Powder Network, its porosity can also be used as a carrier to load Ti, Ag, or Cu ions into ceramic materials, which can achieve antibacterial effects and prepare antibacterial ceramic sanitary ware.


07
Application in the papermaking industry

In the paper industry, fumed silica products can be used as a sizing agent for paper, which can improve the whiteness and opacity of the paper, as well as improve oil resistance, wear resistance, hand sensitivity, printability, and glossiness. And it can also be used for printing paper, which can ensure good surface quality, stable ink, and no cracks on the back of the paper. It can also be used in azide paper to produce excellent blue paper, which can be used as a substitute for titanium white in copper sheet paper. Adding 1-2% fumed silica products can reduce the weight of the paper, and the paper is thin, which can improve strength, prevent ink penetration, and also make the printed text clear and increase opacity.
08


Application in toothpaste

Precipitated silica is currently the main type of friction agent used in toothpaste. Precipitated white carbon black has a large total specific surface area, strong adsorption capacity, and a large amount of adsorbed substances. The particles are uniform, which is conducive to improving transparency. Due to its stable properties, non-toxic and harmless, it is a good raw material for toothpaste. The refractive index of white carbon black ranges from 1.45 to 1.50, which is very close to the refractive index of other ingredients in toothpaste. Therefore, when mixed together, it acts as a transparent agent. This characteristic is used to manufacture transparent toothpaste, which is also a function that no other friction agent does.

09
Application in cosmetics

The excellent properties of white carbon black, such as non-toxic, odorless, and easy coloring, make it widely used in the cosmetics industry. White carbon black is used in skincare and cosmetics to create a smooth and soft feeling on the skin (the "ball bearing effect"), resulting in a "soft focus effect" that evenly distributes the light shining on the skin surface, making it difficult to detect wrinkles and defects on the skin. In addition, the thixotropy of white carbon black can prevent pigment sedimentation, and can be used in products such as lipstick, nail polish, etc.


ten
The Application of White Carbon Black in Rubber Shoes

White carbon has a high black and white color and fine particles. The vulcanized rubber made from transparent white carbon has a high transparency and can improve the comprehensive physical properties of the rubber material. Therefore, white carbon black is widely used as a main reinforcing filler in the production of high-end leather shoes and sports shoes, especially in transparent and semi transparent sole rubber materials. It can improve the wear resistance, hardness, tensile strength, and tear strength of the sole.


eleven
Application in the pharmaceutical industry

White carbon black has been widely used in pharmaceutical formulations due to its physiological inertness, high absorption, dispersibility, and thickening properties. French researchers have found that adding a small amount of fumed silica to drugs such as ranitidine, metoclopramide, and pirenzidine can alter their fluidity; Adding a small amount of fumed silica to drugs containing griseofulvin can change their dissolution rate, which means changing the dispersion and absorption of insoluble drugs in water; Adding a small amount of fumed silica to a powder containing aspirin can alter the antistatic properties of the powder.

White carbon black can also be used as an absorbent and dispersant in the production of Western medicine tablets such as vitamin C; In the production of pharmaceutical capsules, adding a small amount of white carbon black can serve as a carrier. According to the editor of China Powder Network, researchers in Japan have found that adding a small amount of white carbon black to the formula of polyethylene packaging materials can make disinfection packaging films for medical items.


twelve
Application in Ink

White carbon black is also used to control the flow of printer ink, so that it cannot flow or hang freely, in order to achieve clear printing. In beverage cans, it controls the use of high-speed spray coatings. Gaseous silica is also used as a dispersant and flow control agent in the color adjustment of ink cartridges in copiers and laser printers.

thirteen
Application in pesticides

White carbon black can be used as a herbicide and insecticide in pesticides. A mixture of two common herbicides, dinitroaniline and urea