Understanding CI 77266 (Expert reviewed)
Author: Holistic PMU Research Center, fact-checked and reviewed by an expert panel.
Contributor: Siiri Tabri
CI77266 explained
Many artists and instructors offer a variety of explanations about whether a pigment is "organic" or "inorganic," creating a lot of confusion. In this article, we aim to clarify this complex topic.
“Did you know that pure water is a perfect example of a substance that is both “organic” and “inorganic,” depending on the context? Keeping this in mind can help you navigate the world of pigmentology like a pro.”
Background
In the realm of pigmentology, one question consistently piques the interest of artists: What truly distinguishes a pigment as "organic" or "inorganic"? While these terms are generally used accurately, misunderstandings can arise when delving into the finer details. To offer a well-rounded perspective, this article has been developed in consultation with 21 seasoned artists, each boasting at least four years of experience. To further ensure accuracy, the content has been fact-checked by two certified dermatologists and a chemist. This multifaceted approach enables us to provide a more comprehensive understanding and to correct some common misconceptions that even artists and trainers often hold.
Understanding “organic” and “inorganic.”
Everyday Use vs. Chemistry
The terms "organic" and "inorganic" can be a bit perplexing, as they can carry different meanings depending on the context. These terms are often associated with food, farming, and natural products in common parlance. In chemistry, however, they have a much more specific meaning. Let's delve into both contexts to gain a comprehensive understanding.
Everyday language: “Organic” is natural, without synthetic chemicals
In everyday language, the term "organic" generally refers to natural products produced without synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides or artificial fertilizers. For instance, organic fruits and vegetables are grown in a way that's considered to be more environmentally friendly. Similarly, "inorganic" is often used to describe items that are not natural or made from synthetic materials. For example, inorganic fertilizers contain synthesized nutrients and are not derived from natural materials.
Chemical perspective: “organic” is (C-H) bond
From a chemical standpoint, organic compounds primarily consist of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms, often along with other elements like oxygen, nitrogen, and more. Organic chemistry studies these organic compounds' structure, properties, and reactions. In contrast, inorganic compounds can contain various elements but usually don’t contain a carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond. There are exceptions, but generally, inorganic chemistry deals with substances that are not organic.
Typical confusion
The primary disconnect between these two perspectives lies in the complexity and composition of the molecules. For instance, in everyday language, "organic" often connotes something natural or environmentally friendly, while from a chemical viewpoint, it mainly refers to the structure of the molecules, regardless of whether they are found in nature or synthesized in a lab.
“Chemically organic” and “not organic” at the same time.
Also, something can be chemically "organic" but not "organic" in food and farming if produced using synthetic chemicals. Conversely, a compound like water (H2O) is considered "inorganic" in chemistry but is, of course, a completely natural substance and can be absolutely “organic” in the everyday language sense.
Therefore, while the terms "organic" and "inorganic" may seem straightforward, their meanings can vary significantly depending on the context in which they're used. Regarding pigmentology, one way of seeing things is the chemical. The colorant inside the pigment is organic if it has the carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms (C-H). If it does not, it is inorganic.
Understanding CI 77266
Description and Composition
CI 77266, commonly known as Carbon Black, is an intensely black pigment known for its high covering power. Although it is an inorganic pigment, it behaves much like an organic pigment due to its small particle size.
Covering Power and Tint
CI 77266 is notably darker than black iron oxide. Its small molecular size contributes to its exceptional covering power, which makes it a desirable choice for applications requiring intense color. However, the pigment has a more excellent tint, which can lead it to discolor into grey shades over time.
Particle Size and Structure
The size and structure of CI 77266 particles vary depending on the production method. These variables directly impact the pigment's properties. Smaller particles offer more intense color and greater covering power. However, the smaller the particle size, the more difficult it becomes to achieve good dispersion, as small particles tend to cluster or coagulate. In contrast, pigments with larger molecular chains are more accessible to disperse but offer reduced covering power.
Behavior and Longevity
Carbon Black exhibits behaviors akin to organic pigments despite being inorganic. It has the smallest particle size among organic and inorganic pigments, contributing to its unique behavior. The pigment also boasts a high lightfastness rating, making it very resistant to fading. When used in tandem with Titanium Dioxide White, both pigments tend to outlast all others in the skin. As a result, they often leave behind an ashy or grey residual color, along with a nude-yellow shade, which is a trait commonly observed with organic-based pigment lines.
Three ways the CI 77266 is produced
Next, let us look more closely at the production methods of the CI 77266 pigment called “carbon black.” There are three: Channeling, Furnacing, and Thermal processing.
The "Channeling" Method - smallest particle size, the most bluish color
The Channel method is a distinctive production technique used to manufacture Carbon Black, often referred to by its pigment designation, CI 77266. This process primarily utilizes natural gas as the feedstock and employs channel steel as the contact surface for the flame. The resulting product is aptly called channel black, and it has some unique attributes that set it apart from other types of Carbon Black, like furnace black and thermal black. Let's examine the specificities of the Channel method.
Natural gas serves as the main raw material in this process. This gas undergoes a purification stage to remove any impurities that could interfere with the quality of the Carbon Black. After purification, the natural gas is then exposed to flames in a controlled setting, using channel steel as the flame's contact surface.
One of the standout features of channel black is its fine particle size. Channel black particles are much finer than furnace black and thermal black, boasting a larger specific surface area. This fine quality results from the unique channel steel and natural gas production method. Notably, the Channel method leads to Carbon Black with an unoxidized surface. This means that the surface contains a higher concentration of oxygen-containing functional groups, making it acidic. Because of this unique characteristic, channel black particles exhibit low coalescence or clustering.
These oxygen-containing functional groups give channel black some specialized properties. For example, when used in rubber, channel black can slow down the vulcanization process, which is the curing or hardening of rubber. In polyolefins, channel black enhances weather resistance, making the material more durable when exposed to environmental factors. Additionally, its unique surface characteristics grant inks excellent fluidity and printing performance.
Carbon black produced by channeling is often referred to as “Black 6,” and it has the smallest particle size of all production methods: 90-100 nanometers. Thus, the color is the darkest, blackish, and bluish, and due to the very small particle size, it is practically opaque.
The Furnacing is - medium particle size, Antracit greenish color.
The Furnacing method is a sophisticated technique for producing Carbon Black, also known by its pigment designation, CI 77266. This production process primarily employs heavy aromatic oils, such as petroleum, as the core raw material. These oils are cleaned to remove any impurities and then sent to be atomized in a specialized furnace.
A hot gas stream is created inside the furnace by burning a secondary feedstock like natural gas or another type of oil. The atomized primary feedstock is introduced into this hot gas stream. When the feedstock oil meets the hot gas, it vaporizes instantly and then undergoes pyrolysis. In this phase, the oil breaks down into microscopic carbon particles.
Temperature and pressure inside the furnace are meticulously controlled to optimize production. Often, steam or water sprays are used to manage the reaction rate. Once formed, the carbon black particles are conveyed through the reactor, cooled down, and then collected in bag filters. This entire procedure happens in a continuous, seamless manner.
In addition to carbon black, the furnace process produces residual or tail gas, including various gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Most plants harness a portion of this residual gas for producing heat, steam, or even electrical power, thereby increasing operational efficiency.
This method is often referred to as a "hybrid furnace" approach. The term 'hybrid' here indicates that the furnace incorporates a blend of technologies to achieve the optimal production environment. This might involve different temperature zones or stages within the furnace, each tailored to refine specific properties of the Carbon Black being produced.
Carbon black produced by furnacing is often referred to as “Black 2” or “Base Black 2”, and it has the medium particle size of all production methods: 200-300 nanometers. The color is greenish and semi-opaque.
The Thermal processing - the largest particle size, the brownish color
The Thermal method is one of the key techniques employed in producing Carbon Black, also recognized as pigment CI 77266. This process uses ethylene gas as its primary material and focuses on burning gas under controlled conditions. Below, we'll explore how Thermal processing generates this essential pigment.
The Thermal method begins with ethylene gas, which serves as the starting material. This gas is first purified to remove any contaminants that might interfere with the process. Once purified, the ethylene gas is fed into a specialized reactor designed for high-temperature conditions. In the reactor, the ethylene gas is exposed to extreme heat in a controlled, oxygen-free environment. The absence of oxygen is crucial, as it ensures that combustion is completely avoided. Under these high temperatures, the ethylene gas decomposes, leaving behind carbon in its elemental, free-state form.
The term "gas burning" in the context of Thermal production refers to the high-heat decomposition of ethylene gas. It's important to clarify that, in this case, "burning" does not involve actual combustion, as the process occurs without oxygen. This method relies on the heat to break down the gas molecules, allowing for the carbon particles to form.
The Thermal method produces Carbon Black with the largest particle size among all production methods. These fine particles lead to a pigment with high covering power. However, it's essential to note that the Thermal method yields Carbon Black that is almost entirely inorganic - comprising 99% inorganic material and 1% organic components. This makes it quite different from Carbon Black produced through other methods.
Carbon black produced by channeling is often referred to as “Black 7, and it has the largest particle size of all production methods: up to 500 nanometers. The color is brownish, the least opaque of the three.
Unpacking the “inorganic” inside the “organic.”
"Pure Carbon" and Carbon-Oxygen Bonds are Inorganic
In chemistry, ”organic” refers to carbon compounds that also contain hydrogen, often in the form of hydrocarbons. In contrast, "inorganic" carbon compounds are those that do not contain hydrogen. For instance, pure elemental carbon, such as graphite or diamond, is considered inorganic because it consists only of carbon atoms and no hydrogen. Similarly, carbon compounds that bond with elements other than hydrogen, like oxygen in carbon dioxide, are also categorized as inorganic.
The Organic Nature of Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are considered "organic" because they are carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms. These are the defining traits of organic chemistry, focusing primarily on carbon-hydrogen compounds. In this sense, only "hydrocarbon" fits the organic definition because of the presence of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.
Channel Black: A Hybrid of Organic and Inorganic Components
In the case of Channel Black, 19% of the composition is organic, and 81% is inorganic. As we can see, that does not mean that other components were making this up - it is still carbon! The difference lies just in the production method and, therefore, the forms of bonds.
The organic portion comes from aromatic hydrocarbons, which are complex carbon-hydrogen compounds. These hydrocarbons fall under the organic category. The remaining 81%, being elemental carbon in its free state, is considered inorganic. These components make Channel Black a hybrid pigment containing both organic and inorganic elements.
Furnace Black: Another Hybrid Example
Furnace Black consists of 55% organic hydrocarbons and 45% elemental carbon. Similar to Channel Black, the organic part is due to the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons, while the inorganic portion is pure elemental carbon. The balance of these two components affects the pigment's characteristics, like particle size and color intensity.
Many producers of Furnace Black refer to this as “purely organic” for marketing purposes. However, although it has the highest portion of “hydrocarbon,” it is still hybrid with a large portion of elemental carbon.
Thermal Black: Why it's Predominantly Inorganic?
Thermal Black consists of 99% elemental carbon, making it highly inorganic. It contains a minuscule 1% of organic components. The dominant presence of elemental carbon classifies it as inorganic despite its particle size, which may cause it to behave similarly to organic pigments in some applications.
Observations Regarding the Powder Brows Procedure
When it comes to choosing a pigment for the powder brows procedure, thermal black (Black 7) stands out as the safest option among the three types. With its larger particle size, thermal black poses fewer risks of migrating through capillaries or sinking too deeply into the skin. When applied to the skin, these larger particles also impart a brownish undertone, making thermal black suitable for powdering and microblading techniques. Over time, the color remains relatively stable, fading into an anthracite shade. Additionally, its lower opacity ensures that it won't dominate the visual field, and its reflective quality gives the skin's powdered areas a brownish appearance.
Conclusions
There's a common misconception that there's only one type of "carbon black" that falls strictly into the category of either "organic" or "inorganic." While it's true that carbon black is predominantly made up of carbon, the kind of bonds this carbon forms with other elements varies.
Carbon that is pure or "elemental," as well as carbon bonded with oxygen, is considered "inorganic." On the other hand, "hydrocarbon," which is carbon bonded with hydrogen, is labeled as "organic."
Three primary methods produce different types of carbon black, each with distinct properties.
Channeling. The end product is also known as "Black 6" or "Channel Black." It is made from crude oil and gas and has the smallest particle size, ranging from 90-100 nanometers. It comprises 19% organic hydrocarbons and 81% inorganic elemental carbon. The resulting color is a deep black with a bluish undertone. This type "sinks" into the skin easily and is particularly well-suited for eyeliners and shading techniques.
Furnacing. The end product here is referred to as "Black 2," "Base Black 2," or "Furnace Black." It's created in a furnace oven primarily from oils like petroleum and has a medium particle size of 200-300 nanometers. It contains 55% organic hydrocarbons and 45% inorganic elemental carbon. The color is greenish-black, penetrating the skin fairly easily, making it suitable for eyeliner line techniques.
Thermal Processing. The end product is often called "Black 7" or "Thermal Black." This type is mainly made from ethylene gas and is considered to be carbon in its free state. It has the largest particle size, up to 500 nanometers, and comprises 1% organic and 99% inorganic elemental carbon. The color is brownish-black, and it is harder to apply to the skin, making it ideal for eyebrow work and powdering techniques.