Resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex RFL adhesive

A modified ebonite method was developed [134] to study the interfaces associated with polymer tire cords. Hre cords composed of PET, rayon or nylon fibers are generally bonded to rubber with a resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex (RFL) adhesive. The nature of the interfaces is of interest in tire... 

A modified ebonite method was developed [113] to study the interfaces associated with polymer tire cords. Tire cords composed of PET, rayon or nylon fibers are generally bonded to rubber with a resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex (RFL) adhesive. The nature of the interfaces are of interest in tire cord studies. OSO4 may be used to stain and harden the RFL, but the soft rubber is not affected by this treatment, and, in fact, it forms a barrier to stain penetration. The ebonite reaction hardens the rubber and hardens and stains the RFL while maintaining the geometrical integrity of the composite. 

Two papers, by separate groups working simultaneously, described the structure of the resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex (RFL) adhesives used for bonding rubber to tire cords. Rahrig [565] suggested that the RFL adhesives are two phase systems with an interpenetrating network... 

The most common adhesive system used for bonding continuous fibers and fabrics to rubber is resorcinol-formaldehyde latex (RFL) system. In general, RFL system is a water-based material. Different lattices including nitrile and SBR are used as the latex for the adhesive system. 2-Vinylpyridine-butadiene-styrene is the common latex used in the adhesive recipe. RFL system is widely being used in tires, diaphragms, power transmission belts, hoses, and conveyor belts because of its dynamic properties, adhesion, heat resistance, and the capacity to bond a wide range of fabrics and mbbers. 

Resorcinol formaldehyde latex (RFL) cord dips have only a limited application within the general rubber goods industry and for adhesion to be achieved with synthetic fibres it is necessary to use the systems developed by Bayer and Degussa. These systems are based upon a combination of resorcinol, a formaldehyde donor and a hydrated silica filler (commonly called the RFK system). This system is incorporated as dry ingredients into the rubber compound and is activated by the application of heat. 

As with most rubber composites the adhesion system used in power transmission belts is based on an resorcinol/formaldehyde/latex (RFL) type system. General overviews of RFL adhesion systems from a tyre cord perspective have been previously published by Takeyama and Matsui [31], and more recently by Solomon [32]. Bonding with RFL systems is achieved through applying an RFL coating to the fibre structure prior to the... 

Dispersions of copolymers of butadiene with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid in aqueous potassium hydroxide have been mentioned in the patent literature" as a dip for adhering rayon tire cord to rubber. The effect is most evident when carboxyl groups are present in the adhesive, the tie cement, and the cover stocks. The adhesive may be applied as latex, aqueous dispersion, or cement. A patent issued to the Dunlop Company Ltd." describes the use of a styrene-butadiene-itaconic acid copolymer with Gen-Tac Latex (GenCorp) in formulating an RFL (resorcinol formaldehyde latex) type adhesive for bonding a natural rubber compound to Nylon 66 and rayon tire cords. Brodnyan" also claims carboxylic adhesives for rayon, nylon, and Dacron cords. In this case, the tire cords were treated with a mixed polymer latex containing resorcinol-formaldehyde condensate, a butadiene-vinyl pyridine copolymer, an SBR copolymer, and a multifunctional copolymer from methyl acrylate, 2-hydroxy propyl methacrylate, and acrylic acid. A different approach was reported by Badenkov" whereby rayon or nylon tire cords were coated with... 

The standard aqueous treatment for textile adhesion is based on resorcinol/formaldehyde resin/latex (RFL) dip systems. A typical formulation for such an adhesive dip is given in Table 9.1. 

An RFL dip consists of an aqueous resorcinol formaldehyde resin liquid with a ruhher latex. The RF resin is used to achieve good adhesion to the organic fiber substrate whether it be rayon, nylon, or polyester. The rubber latex portion can be a natural rubber latex or a styrene butadiene vinylpyridine (terpolymer) latex or even a neoprene latex. This rubber latex is present to achieve good adhesion with the rubber matrix itself. So the RFL allows good adhesion between the rubber and the textile cord reinforcement whether it is used in the manufacture of passenger tires, truck tires, off-the-road tires, power transmission belts, V-belts, timing belts, or various hose products. 

Frequently it is necessary to combine materials having quite dissimilar solubility parameters, and often differing in modulus as well. An important example, the manufacture of tires, is discussed in the chapter, Bonding Textiles to Rubber. Use is made of a hybrid adhesive, RFL, containing heat-resistant resorcinol-formaldehyde for good attachment primarily to the polar, high modulus fiber, plus an elastomer of moderate solubility parameter, butadiene-styrene-vinyl pyridine terpolymer latex, mainly for the rubber. 

In the 1940s rayon was used almost exclusively in tires. It was difficult to adhere rayon to rubber mechanically because of the smooth surface of the rayon filaments. Fortunately, two Dupont Co. chemists, W. H. Charch and D. B. Maney found that incorporating a resorcinol-formaldehyde thermosetting resin into a rubber latex made a cord adhesive which gave excellent adhesion of rayon to rubber carcass compounds. The same RFL cord adhesive was also used when nylon was introduced as a tire reinforcing material in 1947 and when glass fiber was introduced as belt material in belted bias and radial tires. 

Most of the aramid adhesive systems initially used were based on a first-step dip of either an epoxide or a blocked polyisocyanate and then a second or top coat of RFL. Wenghoefer in his patent disclosed a somewhat different first step dip which consisted of bis(j3-azido-formyl oxyethyl)isophthalate. After drying, the cord thus treated, was then dipped in a phenolic adhesive and cured at 230 C for 60 seconds. A patent issued to Van Gils uses a one-step dip based on vinyl pyridine latex, trimethylol-phenol, resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, and... 

The actual ratios of resorcinol to formaldehyde and of resin to rubber solids may be varied within reasonable limits, the generally accepted optimum ratios being between 1 1.5 and 1 2 for the resorcinol to formaldehyde and between 1 5 and 1 7 for the resin to rubber ratio. Within these limits, it is possible to fine tune the RFL formulation to suit the particular rubber compound with which it is to be used. Generally, however, it is more convenient to use a standard dip formulation for most applications, to avoid excessive complexity, while still maintaining perfectly adequate adhesion levels to a wide range of rubber compounds. For most applications, the preferred latex used is a styrene/ butadiene/vinyl pyridine (VP) terpolymer latex. 

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