Studies of dynamic adhesion between steel cord and rubber using a new testing method

A new dynamic test for steel cord/rubber adhesion has been developed. The Tyre Cord Adhesion Test (TCAT) specimen selected as the test piece is subjected to cyclic extension using a Monsanto Fatigue-To-Failure Tester. Cord pull-out tests have been conducted before and after cyclic extension, or the number of cycles required to pull-out the cord from TCAT-specimen has been utilised for evaluation of dynamic adhesion. The effect of various parameters, e.g. cord embedment length, number of extension cycles, degree of extension, aerobic ageing, thermal ageing, compound hardness etc. on adhesion has been investigated using this dynamic adhesion testing technique. The method developed without any extra capital investment is found To be very simple, reliable, reproducible with high discriminating power and capable of providing high quality statistical data.