Reinforcement mechanism of polyester‐fiber‐reinforced rubber—A model study

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Abstract
The reinforcement mechanism of polyester tire cord was studied by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy using various model compounds. Three model compounds representing the main chain of polyester and the terminal groups, namely carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups, were used. Chemical reactions between these polyester models and an epoxy functional silane coupling agent were studied qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Among the many possible reactions, the reaction between the carboxylic acid and epoxy group was found to proceed readily. Kinetic studies of the major reactions also show quantitative differences in their activation energies as well as the rate constants. Based on the quantitative studies, we have estimated the expected rate of interfacial reaction at the heat treating temperature of polyester tire cord.