EXCIMER LASER TREATMENT OF STEEL FIBERS FOR IMPROVED ADHESION TO SILICONE RUBBER

摘要

Former investigators observed characteristic laser-induced structure on synthetic fibers and steel cord surfaces after irradiation, which is considered by us as an advantageous factor in developing bonding strength of fiber-elastomer composites. We applied various UV laser treatments on the surfaces of steel fiber in order to obtain similar topographic features. Surface modification was observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). In consideration as factors in bonding strength, mechanical properties of the matrix elastomer (silicon rubber) had been tested in addition to its thermal properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Carbon Black (CB) filler dispersion properties by atomic force microscopy (AFM). As the main test for adhesion strength, we performed a fiber pull-out test method developed by our research group for bonding strength of cord fibers to silicon rubber in both neat and CB filled forms for comparison purposes. Our experiment results revealed better adhesion strength when using silicone rubber matrix reinforced with CB.