As early as 3,000 years ago, humans had already mastered the technique of producing soot through combustion to make ink. However, for a long period, the production technology of carbon black advanced slowly. It was not until 1872 that the first industrial-scale production of carbon black was achieved worldwide, and the specialized term "carbon black" was officially born. This milestone marked the beginning of the modern carbon black industry.
Subsequently, the value of carbon black was further recognized. In 1912, British researcher Mott discovered its reinforcing effect in rubber, particularly in significantly improving the wear resistance of tires. This discovery led to a rapid increase in market demand, establishing carbon black as an essential raw material in rubber production.
According to the Carbon Black Industry Network, the emergence of white carbon black was driven by the need for material substitution under specific historical circumstances. During World War I, Germany-facing shortages in the energy materials required for carbon black production-pioneered the use of white silica produced by the precipitation method as a substitute. This white silica provided reinforcement effects in rubber similar to those of carbon black, and due to its white color, it earned the name "white carbon black."
As the practical value of white carbon black gained recognition, its industrial production gradually expanded. By the mid-1930s, countries such as Germany, the Soviet Union, and the United States had begun research and scaled production of white silica. By the end of the 1940s, white carbon black had entered a phase of stable industrial production. Global production capacity reached 700,000 to 800,000 tons per year by the 1980s.
China's white carbon black industry started relatively late. It was not until the 1960s that related research and production began. By the 1980s, there were only two producers with annual capacities in the thousands of tons, together producing only 5,000–6,000 tons per year. Products at that time suffered from limited variety, inconsistent quality, and high energy consumption, and a systematic product portfolio had not yet been established.
Although the name "white carbon black" originally stemmed from its role as a substitute for carbon black, its definition has since expanded. Today, it serves as a general term for a class of functional silica powders, encompassing products made through various processes such as precipitation and fumed methods.
White carbon black now finds a wide range of applications, with different types tailored to specific uses. In the rubber industry, it acts as a high-quality reinforcing agent-second only to carbon black-and with ultrafine processing and suitable surface modification, its reinforcement can even surpass that of carbon black. It is especially suitable for producing white, colored, and light-toned rubber products.
Beyond rubber, white carbon black is used as:
A thickener in synthetic oils and insulating varnishes
A flatting agent in paints and a thixotropic agent in electronic encapsulants
A settling aid for phosphors in screen coatings and a filler in printing plates
A release agent in foundry applications
When incorporated into resins, it improves moisture resistance and insulation properties. In plastics, it enhances slip and oil resistance. Mixed with silicone resin, it helps produce specialty plastics resistant to temperatures above 200°C.
In the paper industry, it serves as a filler and surface treatment agent. In agriculture, it acts as a carrier or dispersant for pesticides. It also functions as an anti-caking agent, liquid absorbent, and lubricant.
Thanks to its unique chemical and physical properties, white carbon black has become an indispensable functional material across numerous fields, supporting a wide variety of industrial and daily life applications.
