Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, literally a color without hue. It is one of the four primary colors in the CMYK color model, along with cyan, yellow, and magenta.
Black is often used as a symbol of darkness, evil, mystery, fear, sadness, mourning, rebellion, anarchy, elegance, wealth, power, and sophistication. It can represent both the positive and the negative.
How Black Pigment is Made
Black pigments are usually created through chemical processes that synthesize carbon black, iron oxide black, or black nickel/chrome pigments. Here are some common ways that synthetic black pigments are made:
Carbon Black
Carbon black is produced by the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products such as coal tar, ethylene cracking tar, and vegetable oil residues. The soot that results is collected and processed into powdered carbon black pigment. It is the most widely used black pigment and accounts for around 90% of commercially available blacks.
Iron Oxide Black
Iron oxide black pigments are created by oxidizing iron compounds such as iron powder, iron sulfate, or iron acetate. This produces a fine black powder of iron oxide that can be used as a pigment. Common types include magnetite and hematite.
Black Nickel/Chrome
These synthetic black pigments are produced by combining nickel, chrome, and other metals. The metals are oxidized under high heat to create fine black particles.
How Black Dye is Made
Black dyes are also produced through chemical synthesis. Common types of synthetic black dyes include:
| Dye Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Azo dyes | Contain azo groups joined by a nitrogen-nitrogen double bond. They are cheap to produce but can be toxic. |
| Anthraquinone dyes | Contain anthraquinone as part of their structure. One of the most important classes of black dyes. |
| Indigoid dyes | Derived from indigo. Used mainly on cotton and wool. |
| Carbon black dyes | Produced by charring organic material in a low oxygen environment. |
Some natural black dyes are also still used, such as:
– Logwood extract – Produced from the logwood tree. Also known as haematoxylum campechianum.
– Oak galls – Formed on oak trees and contain tannins that can dye fabric black.
– Iron salts – Solutions of iron sulfate or iron acetate. React with fabrics to produce black iron tannate dyes.
How Artists Create the Color Black
Artists have many options when choosing between black pigments, dyes, inks, or paints. Here are some common ways black is created in art:
Charcoal
Charcoal sticks used for drawing are made by charring organic materials like willow or grapevine at high temperatures with little air. The resulting charcoal can range from deep black to grayish black.
Vine charcoal produces a relatively pure black color. Compressed charcoal is denser and creates darker blacks.
Ink
India ink is essentially carbon black particles suspended in water-based gel containing a glue-like binder. It produces a deep black color that is lightfast and permanent.
Other black inks may be pigment or dye-based. Pigment inks contain fine black particles while dye inks use soluble synthetic black dyes.
Acrylic or Oil Paint
Painters mix colors on a palette to create different shades of black. This allows control over the depth of black and any undertones.
Ivory or mars black contain bone char, producing especially deep, intense blacks. Lamp black is made with soot and creates a lighter black hue.
How Black is Used in Fashion and Textiles
Black is a staple color in fashion. Dyers and fabric producers rely on synthetic black dyes and pigments to color textiles and clothing.
Dying Fabric Black
The dyeing process involves immersing fabric in a dye bath to thoroughly penetrate the fibers. Different types of black dyes are used for natural vs synthetic fabrics:
| Fiber | Dyes Used |
|---|---|
| Cotton | Direct black dyes, sulfur black dyes, vat dyes |
| Wool | Acid black dyes, chrome black dyes, mordant dyes |
| Silk | Acid black dyes, direct black dyes |
| Nylon, polyester | Disperse dyes, vat dyes |
Pigment dyeing is also used. This applies insoluble pigment particles like carbon black directly onto the fabric surface.
Black Clothing
Black is considered a fashion staple because it is versatile and slimming. Some iconic black clothing includes:
– The little black dress – A simple, elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down.
– Black tie attire – Menswear consisting of a black dinner jacket, white shirt, and a black bow tie.
– Black leather jacket – A rebellious fashion symbol associated with bikers, punks, and rockers.
– The black turtleneck – Classic style popularized by Audrey Hepburn and black-and-white films.
– The “basic bitch” look – Pejorative term for a femme outfit of black leggings, Uggs, and a pumpkin spice latte.
– Little black cocktail dress – A short, formal black dress for cocktail parties.
How Black is Used in Printing and Photography
Black ink and pigments are crucial for printing photos, text, and artwork with high contrast and sharpness.
Black Inks
Carbon black pigments are used in black printing ink. This ink is extremely opaque for blocking light and producing solid blacks. Printing techniques like offset lithography rely on combining cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks to generate color images.
Black and White Photography
Black and white film contains an emulsion layer with silver halide crystals. When exposed to light, the crystals convert to metallic silver grains which appear black after development. Varying the crystal size controls the contrast between black, white and grayscale tones.
Photographers adjust shooting and development techniques to control black point, contrast, and grain. Chemical toners like selenium or sepia can darken or add undertones to the black shades.
Color Photography
Even in color photos, black ink helps generates deep shadows with high optical density. The other CMYK inks produce colors through absorptive mixing, relying on the black ink for neutralizing reflections and intensifying saturation.
How Black is Used in Industrial Manufacturing
Black pigments and dyes are essential for manufacturing carbon black rubber, black plastics, and for blackening metals.
Carbon Black Rubber
Tires, seals, hoses, and mechanical parts are made of carbon black rubber for strength and durability. Fine carbon black particles are mixed into the raw rubber to reinforce it. This prevents cracking from sun exposure and ozone damage.
The carbon black also gives the rubber its characteristic black color. The more carbon black, the blacker and stronger the rubber becomes.
Black Plastics and Polymers
Plastics and polymer resins are colored black with pigments like carbon black, iron oxide, or black nickel/chrome.
Black polymers and plastics are used for:
– Wires and cables
– Pipe fittings
– Automotive parts
– Electrical equipment
– Phone cases
– Construction materials
The carbon black pigment protects against UV degradation while also providing an appealing sleek black aesthetic.
Blackening Metals
Steel and other metals can be turned black through oxidizing chemical treatments or controlled corrosion processes. This black oxide coating protects the metal underneath from further corrosion and enhances aesthetics.
Common blackening methods include:
– Black oxide – Produced by hot sodium hydroxide oxidation. Provides a matte black finish.
– Black nickel – Electrolytically applied black nickel creates a black shiny coating.
– Blackening with selenides or sulfides – Produces deep black finishes on steel or silver.
– Rust bluing – Controlling steel corrosion with heat or chemicals creates black magnetite.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many methods used to produce black pigments, dyes, inks, and materials across industries. It remains one of the most widely used and symbolic colors because of its visual power, versatility and ability to accentuate other colors. Black continues to have an enduring mystique and elegance in fashion, while also serving essential practical roles in manufacturing, photography, and printing.
