Carbon Black Pigment

Lamp black, recognized as a distinct kind of carbon black, originates from the soot produced by burning organic materials such as oils, fats, and resins. It appears as a darkish brown or bluish-black pigment, notable for its high stability against environmental factors like light and chemical agents. Our lamp black boasts exceptional purity, produced in contemporary oil furnaces. When utilized in its full concentration, it exhibits a brownish undertone; conversely, when blended with white for gray shades, a bluish nuance is revealed.

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Pigment Names

Common Names:English: lamp black
Finnish: lamppumusta
French: noir de fumée
German: Lampenschwarz
Italian: nero di lampa
Japanese:

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Portuguese: preto de lâmpada
Russian:

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Spanish: negro de humoAlternate Names:English: blacking, blue black, carbon black, flame black, lampblack, oil black, smoke black, soot black, vegetable black
French: noir de bougie, noir de houille, noir de lampe
German: Flamruss, Russ
Italian: bistro, nero fiammaNomenclature:Common NamePrimary MineralSourceLampblackNoneUnited States

 

Pigment Information

Color: Black
Pigment Classification: Synthetic Inorganic
Colour Index: Pigment Black 6 ()
Chemical Name: Amorphous Carbon
Chemical Formula: C
CAS No.: -86-4
ASTM Lightfastness Acrylic: I
Oil: I
Watercolor: I
Physical Properties:
Oil Absorption: 117 g oil/100 g pigment
Particle Size (Average): 95 nm
BET Surface Area: 20 m2/g
Density (at 20°C.): 1.77 g/cm3
Bulk Density: 100-120 kg/m3
Hardness: -
Refractive Index: 2.42
pH: 7.5
Volatiles: 1%Health and SafetyPotential health hazards associated with this product are minimal, although chronic toxicity has not been fully evaluated for most chemicals. Always exercise caution to minimize exposure and prevent ingestion, prolonged skin contact, and inhalation of mists, dusts, or vapors. Adhere to ASTM D- standards.

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Origin and Historical Context

Lamp black has served humanity for thousands of years, likely regarded as one of the oldest known pigments. Historically, for use in watercolors, it was combined with glue and processed into sticks, commonly sold as India ink. In early American house paints, lamp black was a vital black pigment (Newman and Farrell). Today, it finds application in various products, including cement, ceramics, printing inks, crayons, shoe polish, and paper.

Source of Lamp Black

Comprising amorphous carbon finely divided, lamp black is derived from incomplete combustion of carbon-rich materials. When organic substances such as resinous woods, fatty oils, paraffin, or coal-tar oils burn with restricted oxygen supply, considerable quantities of carbon may be released as soot. This soot is not pure carbon and retains varying amounts of tarry residue from the combustion, which contributes to a warm brownish tint. However, techniques designed specifically to eliminate these impurities can produce a purer form of lamp black. Modern production processes involve collecting soot from burning oils after coal-tar distillation, resulting in a light, fluffy powder known for being part of the pure carbon black pigment category.

When selecting pigment blacks for industrial applications, color criteria primarily guide decisions, with the particle size being a key factor. Finer particle sizes lead to more profound color and enhanced pigment stability within a binder; therefore, our lamp black typically features primary particle sizes ranging from 90 to 120 nm.

Permanence and Compatibility of Lamp Black

As a permanent color, lamp black is universally applicable on the artist’s palette and is compatible with nearly all other pigments. It performs well across various mediums; however, caution is advised when using it in oils, as carbon can impede the drying time significantly.

Oil Absorption and Grinding Characteristics

This pigment has high oil absorption capability, needing 117 grams of linseed oil to mix with 100 grams of pigment for creating a stiff paste. Consequently, it produces a slow-drying oil paint, resulting in a soft, brittle film. For underpainting applications, it is advisable to incorporate drying agents or siccative pigments, such as umber or pyrolusite, due to its prolonged drying time.

Toxicology Considerations

While lamp black is not deemed hazardous, it is prudent to handle the dry powder cautiously to prevent dust inhalation.

For additional guidance on safe handling of pigments, please refer to How to Safely Handle Art Materials and Pigments.

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