Improvement of Tribological Properties of Natural Rubber Filled With Waste Tire Pyrolysis Carbon Black Treated by Plasma

ABSTRACT The erosion and polarization effects were much more evident with the increase in plasma power for pyrolysis carbon black (CBp) arising from waste tire. However, a strong fusion effect appeared when the plasma power reached 600 W. CBp‐400 W had the best dispersion in the rubber matrix and the deepest strong interaction with molecular chains. However, CBp‐600 W had the worst dispersion and the most remarkable weak interaction with the rubber matrix. Compared with NR/CBp‐0 W, the tensile strength increased by 16.6%, and the DIN abrasion volume decreased by 8.1% for the NR/CBp‐400 W. Its coefficient of friction (COF) and abrasion resistance enhanced by 22.6%/56.5% (7 N : 0.25 m/s), 13.5%/30.1% (7 N : 0.5 m/s), 7.6%/28.8% (14 N : 0.25 m/s), and 20.3%/34.1% (14 N : 0.5 m/s) under dry friction conditions. The steady COF of NR/CBp‐400 W increased by 53% compared with NR/CBp‐0 W under wet friction conditions, and the regulation of the COF was in accordance with that of the tanδ at 0°C detected by dynamic mechanical measurement. In this work, it was proved that 400 W was the optimized plasma power. Filler dispersion and strong filler–polymer interaction were crucial factors in enhancing abrasion resistance. Additionally, this research introduced a novel approach for assessing the wet‐slip resistance of rubber materials.