The surface activity of different types of carbon black with phenolic antioxidants is examined using flow micro-calorimetry (FMC), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Significant differences in both the overall adsorption activity and the levels of probe adsorption are observed. Differences in behaviour between types of carbon black are evident and show that the specific surface area is not the most important factor affecting the adsorption activity, but also the chemical nature of its surface. Essentially, two factors were found to affect the behaviour of phenolic stabilisers: Phenolic hydroxyl and ester groups were found to form the strongest interactions with carbon black. Furthermore, steric hinderance of phenolic hydroxyls by alkyl groups is the main factor which influences adsorption activity. In order to characterise different carbon blacks, FTIR and XPS analysis have been used in an attempt to determine the nature of functional groups present on the surface of the carbon blacks. FTIR analysis also shows that some adsorbed antioxidants on the surface of the carbon black could be successfully detected. This provides valuable information regarding the adsorption mechanisms on to carbon black surfaces. Other techniques included thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), N-2 BET adsorption studies and Karl Fisher analysis. The latter were performed in order to determine differences in the volatile and water contents, respectively, of the carbon black samples.