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Internal mixers play a critical role as blending equipment in the rubber industry, operating for extended hours under high intensity. Investigating the wear patterns of internal mixers holds paramount importance in curbing dust leakage and prolonging their operational lifespan during the mixing process. Thermal cracked carbon black (CBp), an economically viable material derived from waste rubber, stands as a potential substitute for other carbon blacks in specific applications. This substitution aids in waste rubber recycling, thereby promoting ecological sustainability. This study centers on the amalgamation of CBp and graphene oxide (GO) in varying proportions, incorporated into the rubber matrix via mechanical blending. The objective is to produce composite materials, namely CBp/GO/NR, and comprehend the synergistic mechanisms between CBp and GO. Furthermore, the study analyzes the impacts of different CBp/GO ratios on metal friction and wear at the internal mixer's end faces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations divulge a collaborative behavior between GO and CBp particles within the rubber matrix, culminating in a spatial "honeycomb" network structure. On one hand, GO's two-dimensional planar network structure aids in CBp particle dispersion. Conversely, this planar network restricts the overflow of aromatic oils in CBp particles, influencing oil film formation on the rubber surface. Simultaneously, the planar network of GO creates a physical isolation layer between the rubber and the metal components. The inclusion of GO in the rubber matrix introduces notable alterations in CBp particle dispersion, friction coefficient, metal surface roughness, and metal wear. In summary, the optimum interaction between GO and CBp particles is achieved when the GO content in the composite material reaches 4 phr. This interaction leads to superior CBp particle dispersion and minimal metal wear in the composite material. • Produce CBp/GO/NR composites, understand CBp and GO synergy. • Analyze CBp/GO ratios on metal friction/wear at mixer faces. • SEM shows collaborative GO and CBp behavior, "honeycomb" structure. • Optimal GO-CBp interaction at 4 phr in composite material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the essential mixing equipment, long hours of work can cause wear and tear on the end face of the compactor. The wear of the end faces leads to an increase in the gap between the chamber and the end faces, which leads to leakage, reduces the mixing effect, and ultimately affects the rubber properties. Therefore, it is necessary to study the end face metal wear during the mixing process. Thermally cracked carbon black, as recycled material for scrap rubber, can be used as a substitute for other carbon blacks in some fields, vastly reducing the production cost and promoting the reuse of scrap rubber. In this paper, thermally cracked carbon black (CBp) was mixed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and added rubber by mechanical blending to obtain CBp/MWCNTs composites. The synergistic mechanism of CBp and MWCNTs was investigated to analyze the effect of CBp/MWCNTs ratios on the frictional wear of metal on the end face of the compactor. The results showed that MWCNTs cooperated with CBp particles to form a three-dimensional "grape bunch" network structure. On the one hand, the three-dimensional "grape bunch" network structure can adsorb CBp particles to promote the dispersion of CBp particles. On the other hand, the three-dimensional "grape bunch" network structure can also hinder the overflow of aromatic oil and affect oil film formation. At the same time, the three-dimensional "grape bunch" network structure can also form a physical isolation layer between the rubber and the metal. This significantly influences the degree of CBp particle dispersion, friction coefficient, metal surface roughness, and metal wear. It seems that the synergistic effect between MWCNTs and CBp particles is maximized when the content of MWCNTs in CBp/MWCNTs composites is 4 phr, the area of CBp/MWCNTs three-dimensional mesh is maximized, the dispersion of CBp particles is the best, and the wear of CBp/MWCNTs composites on metal is the lowest. • As the essential mixing equipment, long hours of work can cause wear and tear on the end face of the compactor. • The effect of the synergistic effect of CBp and MWCNTs on the friction and wear of end-face metal was analyzed. • The results showed that MWCNTs cooperated with CBp particles to form a three-dimensional "grape bunch" network structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]