Banbury Temperature Probe Breaking

[bagotnj]

On the banbury mixer, a temperature probe sticks inside the mixer a couple inches. I have a 2-pass compound that is very high viscosity that regularly snaps the probe in half after the masterbatch is added. I've tried adding the masterbatch in two charges, and it's reduced the occurrence, but not eliminated the issue. I've unsuccessfully tried a different metal temperature probe. I'm considering lowering RPM's in the beginning to reduce KW, and then incrementally increasing RPM's when the material is warmed up. What solutions would you advise? Thanks!

 

[Compositepro]

Banbury mixers are are built like boat anchors because they are designed to generate very large forces that are needed to mix very high viscosity materials. I suggest you use an infrared thermometer looking down at the material, if you have a head space in the mixer. Or use a flush mounted sensor that does not protrude from the wall.