How is carbon black obtained ?

Carbon black is a fine particulate form of carbon produced primarily through the incomplete combustion or thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons [1]. Unlike charcoal or coke, which are produced by heating wood or coal in the absence of air (pyrolysis/carbonization) [4], carbon black is manufactured by reacting hydrocarbon fuels like oil or natural gas with a limited supply of combustion air [2]. This process, often occurring in furnace reactors at temperatures between 1320°C and 1540°C, results in the formation of extremely fine black fluffy particles [2]. While saturated hydrocarbons typically burn with a clean flame, limiting the oxygen supply forces incomplete combustion, yielding a sooty deposit known as carbon black [1]. It is widely used as a reinforcing agent in rubber tires and as a pigment in inks and plastics [2].

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > Activity 4.4 > p. 69
2. [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > Classification > p. 1
3. [4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/coal-carbonization
4. [2] https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/documents/c06s01.pdf