RUBBER–BRASS ADHESION LAYER ANALYSIS USING THE OLEFIN-METATHESIS METHOD

ABSTRACT The investigation of the adhesion layer between rubber and brass-coated steel wires is a challenging task due to its strong bonding. We explore the possibilities of olefin-metathesis as a method to degrade the cross-linked rubber network without destroying the adhesion layer. Using a ruthenium catalyst and 1-octene as a co-reactant, different types of rubber—natural rubber, acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber, and styrene–butadiene rubber—can be degraded into soluble fragments. The uncovered adhesion layers can be subsequently analyzed with common analytical methods such as optical microscopy, focusvariation microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The revealed surface structures are discussed considering the observed pull-out forces. In a second series, the influence of common additives—cobalt salt, silica, and a resin system—on the metathesis reaction is investigated.