ASTM Approves First Standard for Recovered Carbon Black

ASTM International’s committee on recovered carbon black (D36), formed in 2017, has approved its first standard. The new standard (D8178) defines important terms in the recovered carbon black (rCB) industry, ASTM said.

According to ASTM International member Bill Cole, recovered carbon black is a relatively new, sustainable raw material product, produced by a new and growing industry, for use in rubber, plastics, and pigment applications.

“At this early stage, the industry needs a set of common terminology to effectively communicate to product users and to each other,” Cole, director of product management at Delta-Energy Group said. rCB products, recently developed by several manufacturers are distinct from “char” products, ASTM said. While both product types are derived from thermal degradation of rubber compounds, performance of rCB in rubber applications differs significantly from that of char.

“Having common terms provides a strong basis to clearly distinguish the value of rCB from char products. It also allows us to discuss performance within proposed applications,” Cole said. “Manufacturers of rCB will find the nomenclature and new methods useful when communicating product performance.”

In addition to defining terms, the new standard D8178 includes an appendix of ASTM International standards developed by other committees that are recognized as available for use in the rCB industry. This includes the carbon black committee, formed in 1956.

ASTM Committee D36 will hold its next meeting June 5-6 in Denver, Colorado.

© Scrap Tire News, April 2019