Difference Between Acetylene Black and Carbon Black

The key difference between acetylene black and carbon black is that acetylene black is obtained from the thermal decomposition of acetylene, whereas carbon black is produced from incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum compounds.

Carbon black is an important adsorbing agent. Acetylene black is a type of carbon black that differs from other types of carbon black material depending on the source of production.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Acetylene Black
3. What is Carbon Black
4. Side by Side Comparison – Acetylene Black vs Carbon Black in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Acetylene Black?

Acetylene black is a type of carbon black. It is obtained from acetylene thermal decomposition process. This type of carbon black is highly purified, and it is also an extremely conductive material. Therefore, it is very important in the production of dry cells, electric power cables, silicon products, etc. We can use acetylene black as a substitute for carbon black.

What is Carbon Black?

Carbon black is an inorganic compound that forms from the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products. It is an adsorbing agent. There are a few subtypes of carbon black such as acetylene black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and thermal black. The heavy petroleum products are useful sources for the production of this material. For example, FCC tar, coal tar, ethylene cracking tar, etc. However, this material should not be confused with soot.

Difference Between Acetylene Black and Carbon Black

Figure 01: Appearance of Carbon Black

Carbon black contains only carbon atoms, and this material appears as a black powder. Practically, this powder does not dissolve in water. Since there are only carbon atoms in this compound, the molar mass of carbon black is 12 g/mol. All types of carbon black contain chemisorbed oxygen complexes. E.g. carboxylic, quinonic, lactonic, etc. We can observe these complexes on the surface of carbon black particles. Based on the reaction conditions and manufacturing steps, the degree of these complexes on particle surface differs. These surface complexes are mostly volatile species. Besides, carbon black is a non-conductive material due to its volatile content.

There are many important applications of carbon black. For example, it is important as a reinforcing material. It is useful as a reinforcing filler for tires and other rubber products. In addition to that, it is important as a colour pigment in paint, plastics, ink, etc. The carbon black that has a vegetable origin are mainly used as food colouring agents.

What is the Difference Between Acetylene Black and Carbon Black?

Carbon black is an important adsorbing agent. Acetylene black is a type of carbon black that differs from other types of carbon black material depending on the source of production. As its name suggests, the source of acetylene black is acetylene while the source of carbon black is heavy petroleum products. Therefore, the key difference between acetylene black and carbon black is that acetylene black is obtained from the thermal decomposition of acetylene whereas carbon black is produced from incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum compounds. However, we can use acetylene black as a substitute for carbon black.

Below infographic summarizes the difference between acetylene black and carbon black.

Summary – Acetylene Black vs Carbon Black

Carbon black is an important adsorbing agent. Acetylene black is a type of carbon black that differs from other types of carbon black material depending on the source of production. The key difference between acetylene black and carbon black is that acetylene black is obtained from the thermal decomposition of acetylene whereas carbon black is produced from incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum compounds.

Reference:

1. “Carbon Black.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 8 Feb. 2016, Available here.
2. “Carbon Black.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Dec. 2019, Available here.