TY - JOUR
T1 - Plasma-polymerized thiophene films for enhanced rubber-steel bonding
AU - Delattre, James L.
AU - D'Agostino, Riccardo
AU - Fracassi, Francesco
PY - 2006/3/15
Y1 - 2006/3/15
N2 - Thin films of plasma-polymerized thiophene (PPTh) were deposited on cold-rolled steel substrates to improve adhesion to rubber compounds. PPTh films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and atomic force microscopy. The ratio of carbon-to-sulfur found in PPTh films is 4:1, suggesting the monomer structure is generally intact, which was supported by FT-IR absorptions characteristic of polymerized thiophene rings. However, some fragmentation did occur to give acetylenic and aliphatic groups. Steel-rubber adhesion measurements, performed in accordance with the ASTM 429-B peel test, strongly depended on cleaning and pretreatment methods as well as film thickness. Best results were obtained on polished steel samples that were cleaned with acid, pretreated with a hydrogen/argon plasma, then coated with 50 Å of PPTh film. These samples exhibited a peel force of 14.3 N/mm, which is comparable to that of polished brass control samples. Depth-profiling XPS analysis of the rubber-steel interface showed the existence of an iron sulfide layer which is likely responsible for the strong adhesion.
AB - Thin films of plasma-polymerized thiophene (PPTh) were deposited on cold-rolled steel substrates to improve adhesion to rubber compounds. PPTh films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and atomic force microscopy. The ratio of carbon-to-sulfur found in PPTh films is 4:1, suggesting the monomer structure is generally intact, which was supported by FT-IR absorptions characteristic of polymerized thiophene rings. However, some fragmentation did occur to give acetylenic and aliphatic groups. Steel-rubber adhesion measurements, performed in accordance with the ASTM 429-B peel test, strongly depended on cleaning and pretreatment methods as well as film thickness. Best results were obtained on polished steel samples that were cleaned with acid, pretreated with a hydrogen/argon plasma, then coated with 50 Å of PPTh film. These samples exhibited a peel force of 14.3 N/mm, which is comparable to that of polished brass control samples. Depth-profiling XPS analysis of the rubber-steel interface showed the existence of an iron sulfide layer which is likely responsible for the strong adhesion.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.apsusc.2005.05.069
DO - 10.1016/j.apsusc.2005.05.069
M3 - Comment/debate
AN - SCOPUS:32644447588
VL - 252
SP - 3912
EP - 3919
JO - Applied Surface Science
JF - Applied Surface Science
SN - 0169-4332
IS - 10
ER -