TTE Conference Preview:  A sticky problem

London - A recurring topic on the TTE conference programme reflects the growing pressure in the tire industry to transition away from the use of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) tire cord adhesives.

Among the papers addressing this topic, will be a joint presentation by Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH and Kordsa Global on their co-development of a new RF-free adhesion systems.

The technology being developing will be provided free of charge to lay the foundation for a new eco-friendly adhesion system standard.

This joint presentation will, therefore, cover the free licensing and sampling concept along with the latest technical results.

A Michelin presentation will, meanwhile, focus on the company’s industrialisation of formaldehyde-free dip system for textile cords.

The technology, based on polyphenols and aldehydes chemistry, can be used on a range of fibres, with adhesion levels equivalent to RF systems.  Results from the lab, tire testing and industrialisation phase will be shown.

Dr Wilma Dierkes, associate professor at the University of Twente will look at atmospheric plasma treatment of tire cord – in which the fibre surface is activated and a reactive coating applied.

Precursors with different types of anchoring groups for coupling to the cord and the polymer will be compared for rayon and polyester tire cord.

Image source: Continental AG