Abstract: A process useful for the production of a carbon black useful as an ingredient in dry cell battery compositions is disclosed which comprises heating a carbon black feedstock having a dibutylphalate absorption (DBP) ranging from 200 to 250 cc/100 g, nitrogen surface area ranging from about 30 to about 60 m.sup.2 /g, an average stacking height (L.sub.c) of ordered graphitic layer segments ranging from about 1.1 to about 1.5 nm, and a wide aggregate size distribution with a range of measured aggregate volume from about 5.times.10.sup.4 to about 1.times.10.sup.9 nm.sup.3, a geometric mean aggregate volume (Log Vg, nm.sup.3) of about 6.2 to about 7.5, and geometric standard deviation (for Log Vg, nm.sup.3) of about 0.7 to about 1.0. This feedstock is heated to a temperature ranging from 1400.degree. C. to 2400.degree. C.

Abstract: Carbon black products useful as an ingredient in dry cell battery compositions are disclosed which have a wide aggregate size distribution with a range of measured aggregate volume from about 5.times.10.sup.4 to about 1.times.10.sup.9 nm.sup.3, a geometric mean aggregate volume (Log Vg, nm.sup.3) of about 6.2 to about 7.5, geometric standard deviation (for Log Vg, nm.sup.3) of about 0.7 to about 1.0, a dibutyl phthalate absorption ranging from about 210 to about 270 cc/100 g., a nitrogen surface area ranging from about 30 to about 60 m.sup.2 /g, an average stacking height (L.sub.c) of ordered graphitic layer segments ranging from about 2.7 to about 3.7 nm. Novel furnace carbon blacks are disclosed which have the same characteristics but have an average stacking height (Lc) of ordered graphitic layer segments ranging from about 1.6 to about 3.7 nm.