The Role of the Brass Surface Composition With Regard To Steel Cord Rubber Adhesion

The results of adhesion research clarify the role of copper and zinc in adhesion bonding and adhesion degradation. For the actual interpretation of the results, the difference between surface and average bulk composition must be considered. The tendency towards zinc enrich ment is mainly governed by the average brass coating composition. Besides this basic parameter, the drawing parameters may substantially influence the steel cord surface composition. The presence of ZnO in the brass surface not only influences the rubber-brass reaction, but the rate of sul fide film growth as well. A laboratory conditioning of the surface definitely reveals the real effects of average and surface composition.