Effect of Sn on the Adhesion between Cu–Sn Alloy Coated Steel and Styrene Butadiene Based Rubber

Abstract

The effect of Cu-Sn coating on steel towards improving the adhesion between steel and typical styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) based tyre bead composition has been investigated in this work. Steel coupons were coated with varying compositions of Cu-Sn via immersion coating, where the electrolyte bath composition was varied. Chemical analysis of the coatings using ICP-OES confirmed increase in Sn content with increasing SnSO4 concentration in the coating baths, keeping other parameters constant. No change in the surface roughness and coating weight was observed with change in Sn concentration in the coatings. The coated steel plates were vulcanized with SBR based rubber and peel strength was measured. The results confirmed an optimum Sn concentration of 3-4 wt% in the coatings up to which an increase (~ 25%) in adhesion strength was exhibited compared to only Cu coatings. Stereo-microscopic analysis of the peel tested samples validated mixed mode i.e. both adhesive and cohesive modes of failure.

EPDM/SBR Blends for Skim Compound of Steel Cord Conveyor Belt: Mechanical Properties, Thermal Stability and Adhesion Level

“…Atanu Banerjee et al investigated the effect of tin coated steel to improve the adhesion between steel and SBR rubber. The results confirmed an optimum tin concentration of 3-4 wt.% in the coatings up to which an increase about 25% in adhesion strength [19,20].…”

Average and Local Effect of Thermal Fatigue on the Coefficients of the Thermal Expansion of a Complex Continuous Composite Fibre Used for Car Clutch Facing: A Multi-Technique Study

“…The sulphur (S) distribution is fairly homogeneous in the matrix region except around the copper filaments, where higher sulphur concentrations are observed (higher colour intensity). These observations show (i) a good distribution of SBR particles (sulphur cross-linking bridges present in the elastomer) in the thermoset phases and (ii) that it can be assumed that a Cu-sulphide interphase structure was created between the copper filaments and the rubber [97]. This phenomenon is highlighted by the magnified view around the These observations show (i) a good distribution of SBR particles (sulphur cross-linking bridges present in the elastomer) in the thermoset phases and (ii) that it can be assumed that a Cu-sulphide interphase structure was created between the copper filaments and the rubber [97].…”

Optimizing Surface Roughness to Improve Steel-rubber Adhesion Strength through Electro-cleaning Simulation

“…2,3) Higher roughness of steel surface enhances the mechanical inter-locking while on the other hand it creates non-uniform coating coverage of Cu-Sn layer and hence reduces the overall chemical bond strength during vulcanization at the uncoated region which is consistent with the literatures. 14,15,18) Likewise, lower surface roughness enhances more chemical adhesion strength by creating more uniform coating coverage of Cu-Sn alloy layer while it reduces the mechanical inter-locking strength. Therefore, a balance between the mechanical inter-locking force and chemical bonding strength was obtained at the final roughness of ~4.75 μm which corresponds to the electro-cleaning current density of 600 A/m 2 that provided the maximum adhesion strength of 110 N. In contrast, the higher surface roughness (R z,i = 7.7 μm) of base sample showed poor adhesion strength due to non-uniform coating coverage of Cu-Sn layer and lower chemical bonding strength.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The recent study by Banerjee et al have concluded the improvement of adhesion strength by applying Cu-Sn alloy coating on bare steel surface. [14][15][16][17][18][19] Most of the literatures suggest copper as a preferred coating to improve the interfacial bonding with rubber during vulcanization because it reacts with sulfur present in the rubber to form copper sulfide at the interface. 4,[20][21][22] For improving the adhesion strength between the steel and rubber, steel surface initial roughness plays an important role in obtaining the uniform metallic coating coverage and the quality of the interface.…”