The surface morphology and chemistry of CBp obtained by pyrolysis of waste tyres at 500 and 700 degrees C, respectively was studied compared with a commercial tyre carbon blacks by laser particle size analyzer, X-ray diffractogram (XRD) and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The distribution of CBp aggregates was the mixed particle distribution of commercial carbon blacks added to tyres in fabrication. The concentration of inorganic compounds and carbonaceous deposits (the organic compounds deposited on the surface of the CBp) depends on the pyrolysis temperature. The chemical nature of the CBp from pyrolysis at 700 degrees C was found to be closer to the commercial tyre carbon blacks than the CBp from pyrolysis at 500 degrees C. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.