Controlling costs without compromising product quality is essential for manufacturers in the rubber, plastics, and coatings industries. Austin Black® 325 offers a unique solution: a cost-effective alternative to traditional carbon black fillers, allowing for up to 10% replacement of carbon black content.
Here’s how Austin Black® 325 can help reduce costs while maintaining material properties.
Why Choose Austin Black® 325?
Austin Black® 325 is a high quality bituminous coal filler with a lower specific gravity than carbon black. While carbon black typically has a specific gravity of around 1.8, Austin Black® 325’s specific gravity of 1.3 allows manufacturers to reduce the overall compound weight and cost. Replacing a portion of carbon black with Austin Black® 325 can yield a compound cost reduction of approximately 3-4% without sacrificing performance.
Austin Black® 325 has a platy structure and a pH value of 7.0. Its chemical and ultraviolet resistance should enhance the properties of most rubber and plastic compounds. It will not absorb moisture and can improve air retention and moisture permeation properties in rubber compounds. These facts, plus excellent dielectric properties make Austin Black® 325 ideal for compounds requiring good dielectric properties. It is produced by CFI Carbon Products (USA) and distributed in the UK and Ireland by HARKE Addi-Tec.
Performance Benefits of Austin Black® 325
- Enhanced Mixing and Dispersion: Austin Black® 325 disperses efficiently in natural and synthetic rubbers as well as plastics. The volatile matter in Austin Black® acts as an internal plasticiser, improving mix times and avoiding agglomeration issues.
- Air Release and Stability: Reduces bubble formation and blistering in compounds, promoting a more stable material and aiding in air release. This results in fewer defects and higher-quality finished products.
- No Moisture Absorption: With low moisture content and excellent air and moisture retention properties, Austin Black® 325 prevents issues like swelling and cracking that can arise from water absorption.
- Electrical Properties: For insulation applications, Austin Black® 325 improves dielectric properties, especially in compounds exposed to moisture, maintaining stable performance over time.
Key Applications Across Industries
Austin Black® 325 serves as a versatile and economical filler in various products:
- Rubber: Commonly used in tyres, hoses, gaskets, seals, and other mechanical goods. In rubber formulations, Austin Black® 325 works well alongside HAF or FEF carbon blacks, offering robust physical properties and extending the compound’s lifespan. It is also effective in rubber-to-metal bonded products, reducing staining and migration issues.
- Plastics: In PVC plastisols and polyolefin concentrates, Austin Black® 325 replaces a portion of the carbon black to lower costs while improving gas barrier and chemical resistance.
- Coatings: Austin Black® 325 can be used in automotive finishes, protective coatings, and paints. It enhances the product’s UV stability and barrier properties, making it a reliable choice for coatings in harsh conditions.
- Commercial Roofing and Sealants: Ideal for EPDM roofing and various sealants, Austin Black® 325 not only reduces costs but also improves mixing and extrusion properties, helping manufacturers meet high-performance standards.
Proven Performance Through Testing
From natural rubber and neoprene to EPDM and PVC, Austin Black® 325 has been shown to maintain, and in some cases improve, compound properties while lowering material costs.
We have conducted tests and studies in the following areas:
- Styrene/Butadiene Rubber
- Butyl and Chlorobutyl Rubber
- EPR and EPDM Compositions
- Natural Rubber Compositions
- Neoprene Compositions
- Nitrile Rubber
- Polyvinyl Chloride
- Reclaimed Rubber and Viton
To see test results in relation to a specific application, please get in touch.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in learning more about the specific performance benefits and application possibilities of Austin Black® 325, reach out to our HARKE Addi-Tec team.
