Chemical Structures of Adhesion Interlayer between Brass Plating and Rubber from the Viewpoint of Analysis Techniques

Adhesion and deterioration mechanisms between brass coated steel cords and rubber for tires have been studied by various analytical methods. Previously, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and so on were used by early researchers. Recently, time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) is employed for analysis. And cross-sectional observations of adhesion interfaces for sliced specimen by focused ion beam system (FIB) are carried out with (scanning) transmission electron microscope ((S)TEM). Element analyses were also performed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) simultaneously. In this report, results of analyses obtained by various methods for the adhesion interfaces were reviewed in focusing on data analyses. Planar specimens were prepared by brass coating on flat silicon and iron plates for making it possible to apply various analysis methods. While it was difficult to apply glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) for uneven real steel cord, preferable results were obtained by using the present flat specimens.