ASTM D8178-22

Standard Terminology Relating to Recovered Carbon Black (rCB)

SCOPE
1.1 This terminology covers a compilation of definitions of technical terms used in the recovered carbon black industry. Terms that are generally understood or adequately defined in other readily available sources are not included.  
1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2022
• ICS: 01.040.71 - Chemical technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 71.060.10 - Chemical elements
• Technical Committee: D36 - Recovered Carbon Black (rCB)
• Drafting Committee: D36.30 - Nomenclature

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D3053-23a - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D3053-18 - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM D3053-17a - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2017
• Refers: ASTM D3053-17ae1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2017
• Refers: ASTM D3053-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Refers: ASTM D3053-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM D3053-13a - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM D3053-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM D3053-10 - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2010
• Refers: ASTM D3053-08b - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM D3053-08a - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Refers: ASTM D3053-08 - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2008
• Refers: ASTM D3053-06a - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2006
• Refers: ASTM D3053-06 - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM D3053-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2005

Overview

ASTM D8178-22: Standard Terminology Relating to Recovered Carbon Black (rCB) is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM to provide a comprehensive collection of definitions for technical terms commonly used in the recovered carbon black industry. This terminology standard supports consistent communication, product classification, and regulatory compliance throughout the rCB value chain. By defining the vocabulary for recovered carbon black and related materials, ASTM D8178-22 promotes clarity among manufacturers, processors, buyers, and regulators globally.

Developed in accordance with the World Trade Organization's Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee guidelines, this standard helps foster international trade and advancements in sustainable rubber recycling.

Key Topics

ASTM D8178-22 addresses several essential concepts within the recovered carbon black sector, including:

• Recovered Carbon Black (rCB): The primary product obtained through the thermal decomposition of rubber goods containing carbon black, free from wire and fabric.
• Raw rCB: The initial solid material resulting from thermal decomposition, necessitating further processing (milling) for effective use as rCB.
• Char: The solid carbonaceous residue formed during carbonization of organic compounds, often present in processed rubber goods.
• Recovered Carbon Black Pellet: Densified, spheroidal agglomerates of recovered carbon black, facilitating easier handling and commercial processing.
• Distinction from Other Carbon Blacks: The standard highlights differences between recovered, raw, and conventional carbon black materials.
• Feedstock Origin: Emphasizes post-consumer rubber goods as a key material source for rCB production.

By standardizing these and other terms, ASTM D8178-22 enables consistent technical understanding across organizations, regulatory bodies, and geographical regions.

Applications

The terminology defined in ASTM D8178-22 underpins numerous practical and commercial activities, making it highly relevant for:

• Materials Specification and Purchasing: Ensures clarity in contracts, quality assurance, and supply chain documentation by providing unambiguous definitions of rCB and related intermediates.
• Product Development and R&D: Supports research initiatives by guaranteeing consistent language for describing experimental materials, methods, and results in publications and patents.
• Regulatory Compliance: Aids companies in demonstrating conformity to industry standards when handling, labeling, or marketing recovered carbon black-based products.
• Sustainability and Recycling Initiatives: Facilitates the growth of circular economy practices by enabling more transparent communication in tire and rubber goods recycling and reprocessing.
• International Trade: Provides a common terminology for global buyers and sellers, reducing the risk of miscommunication and promoting smoother transactions for rCB and related products.

Related Standards

Organizations working with recovered carbon black should consider ASTM D8178-22 in conjunction with other key standards:

• ASTM D3053 - Terminology Relating to Carbon Black: Provides foundational definitions for conventional carbon black products, referenced within ASTM D8178-22 for broader industry integration.
• ISO and national standards covering rubber recycling, waste management, and secondary materials: May also reference or align with ASTM D8178-22 terminology to ensure global coherence.

Adopting ASTM D8178-22 in documentation, processes, and product labeling ensures alignment with best practices, international expectations, and the evolving sustainability landscape in the carbon black and rubber recycling industries.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8178 −22
Standard Terminology Relating to
Recovered Carbon Black (rCB)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8178; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This terminology covers a compilation of definitions of 3.1 Definitions:
technical terms used in the recovered carbon black industry. carbon black, n—this definition is under the jurisdiction of
Terms that are generally understood or adequately defined in Committee D24 and maintained in Terminology D3053.
other readily available sources are not included.
char, n—solid carbonaceous residue formed during carboniza-
1.2 This international standard was developed in accor-
tion of organic compounds.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
raw rCB, n—solid material resulting from thermal decompo-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
sition of rubber goods which contain carbon black; exhibit-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ing poor dispersion so requiring milling to become rCB.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
recovered carbon black (rCB), n—solid product recovered
via thermal decomposition from rubber goods which contain
2. Referenced Documents
carbon black, which is free of wire and fabric, and when
milled typically gives semi-reinforcing properties in rubber.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
DISCUSSION—A type of filler derived from post-consumer rubber
D3053 Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
goods (feedstock) via a variety of thermal decomposition processes.
This semi-reinforcing filler predominantly consisting of carbon, also
containing inorganic compounding ingredients originating from the
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D36 on
feedstock but is free of wire and fabric. This material, typically
Recovered Carbon Black (rCB) and is the
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D8178 − 20a D8178 − 22
Standard Terminology Relating to
Recovered Carbon Black (rCB)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8178; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This terminology covers a compilation of definitions of technical terms used in the recovered carbon black industry. Terms
that are generally understood or adequately defined in other readily available sources are not included.
1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3053 Terminology Relating to Carbon Black
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
carbon black, n—this definition is under the jurisdiction of Committee D24 and maintained in Terminology D3053.
char, n—solid carbonaceous residue formed during carbonization of organic compounds.
raw rCB, n—solid material resulting from thermal decomposition of rubber goods which contain carbon black; exhibiting poor
dispersion so requiring milling to become rCB.
recovered carbon black (rCB), n—solid product recovered via thermal decomposition from rubber goods which contain carbon
black, which is free of wire and fabric, and when milled typically gives semi-reinforcing properties in rubber.
DISCUSSION—
A type of filler derived from post-consumer rubber goods (feedstock) via a variety of thermal decomposition processes. This semi-reinforcing filler
predominantly consisting of carbon, also containing inorganic compounding ingredients originating from the feedstock but is free of wire and fabric.
This material, typically pelletized currently marketed under the name recovered carbon black (rCB), should not be confused with “Raw rCB” which
exhibits poor dispersion and minimal reinforcing properties when used in rubber compounding.
recovered carbon black pellet, n—a relatively large agglomerate mass that has been densified in spheroidal form to facilitate
handling and processing.
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D36 on Recovered Carbon Black (rCB) and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D36.30 on
Nomenclature.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020June 1, 2022. Published January 2021July 2022. Originally approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as
D8178 – 20.D8178 – 20a. DOI: 10.1520/D8178-20A.10.1520/D8178-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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D8178 − 22
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. EXISTING STANDARDS RECOGNIZED BY COMMITTEE D36
X1.1 The following is a list of existing standards that are currently available for use in the industry. These standards are maintained
by ASTM Committee D24 on Carbon Black; however, they can be applied for use in the rCB in
...