I assumed the black rings were made from some sort of carbon fiber. I attributed the black residue to the actual material being used and not from laser soot...interesting. They are very sturdy and work well, but very messy as others have stated. I think BMS is the root source for them. Fliskit and Zooch use them in their kits. Doesn't keep me from buying their kits, but I like the white rings that Estes supply much better. The Semroc rings have worked out just fine, but maybe night quite as stiff as the competition, but certainly better than the Quest junk.