rCB stands for recovered carbon black (also commonly called recycled carbon black) in tire pyrolysis and tire recycling sectors.
Brief explanation
When waste tires undergo oxygen-free pyrolysis, the rubber matrix decomposes into pyrolysis oil, fuel gas and a solid byproduct known as pyrolysis char. This char contains the original carbon black that was added to tires as a reinforcing filler. After purification, de-agglomeration, grinding, classification and thermal treatment, the char is upgraded into commercial rCB — recovered carbon black.
Key points
- Full name: Recovered Carbon Black
- Alternative term: Recycled Carbon Black
- Distinction: Raw pyrolysis char ≠ rCB. Crude char is only the intermediate solid product; rCB refers to the refined, processed carbon black powder ready for industrial reuse.
- Industry abbreviation convention: lowercase r for recovered/recycled; uppercase CB for Carbon Black.
- Compare with virgin carbon black (vCB): vCB is made from petroleum feedstock via furnace black processes, while rCB is recycled from end-of-life tires.
It can partially replace virgin carbon black for:
- Heavy-duty & OTR tire rubber compounds
- Rubber goods, conveyor belts, hoses
- Plastic color masterbatch, coatings and inks
- High-purity grades: conductive additives for lithium-ion batteries
