Three key appearance indicators of finished coatings — gloss, film fullness and distinctness of image (DOI) — all depend on the dispersion degree of carbon black in the resin system. Sufficient dispersion delivers stable appearance, anti-corrosion and weather resistance. Carbon black is applicable to all coating categories including automotive coatings, industrial equipment coatings, architectural coatings, universal colorants and powder coatings.

As the primary black pigment for vehicle exterior topcoats, carbon black is required to feature ultra-high jetness, mirror-like gloss and long-term outdoor UV aging resistance. Purified with low salt impurities, these products deliver deeper film jetness while balancing decorative performance and surface weather protection, suitable for OEM vehicle spraying and automotive refinish paints. Automotive primer serves as the underlying base layer without direct exposure, with dispersibility and purity as core evaluation criteria. Conductive carbon black shall be selected for parts requiring anti-static or conductive properties to ensure uniform conductivity of the coating film. Two matching solutions are available for automotive electrocoat applications: one is specially modified carbon black that can be directly formulated into electrocoat bath liquid for one-step electro-deposition film formation; the other is conductive carbon black used as a base coat on non-conductive substrates such as plastics to form a conductive layer before covering with conventional electrocoat films.

Industrial coatings for mechanical equipment and metal components involve complex working conditions with diverse resin systems, spraying and dipping construction processes, as well as varying light and deep undertone requirements from customers. The selection of carbon black needs comprehensive matching based on substrates and formulations.

Architectural decorative coatings are mainly used for basic tinting of interior and exterior walls. Coarse-particle carbon black with easy dispersibility is adopted for general use. Carbon black with a particle size of 20nm is uniformly applied to exterior walls and weather-resistant panels for outstanding UV aging resistance. The finished system features stable storage performance without floating or flocculation after spraying, and presents a soft blue undertone.

Universal water-based and solvent-based colorants are composed of a mixture of solvents, co-solvents and wetting dispersants with extremely low solid resin content. They demand strict long-term shelf storage stability, including permanent color retention, zero flocculation, stable viscosity and no hard sediment at the bottom. Coarse-particle carbon black has a lower tendency of particle agglomeration and superior storage stability, making it the mainstream choice for colorant production.

The entire production process of powder coatings generates no VOC emissions. The process flow covers resin powder mixing, twin-screw extrusion melt dispersion, pelletizing and pulverization. The core production control point lies in sufficient kneading and dispersion of carbon black with resin, requiring special carbon black adaptable to high-temperature extrusion and resistant to agglomeration.