Carbon black is an amorphous carbon. It is a light, loose and very tiny black powder with a very large surface area. It is the product of incomplete combustion or thermal decomposition of carbonaceous substances (coal, natural gas, heavy oil, fuel oil, etc.) under the condition of insufficient air. It can be used for formulating pigmented mortar, as well as  in the manufacture of Chinese ink, ink, paint, etc, or as reinforcing agent for rubber.