MULTI-LAYERED METAL CORD RUBBERISED IN SITU BY AN UNSATURATED THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMER

摘要

The invention relates to a metal cord comprising a plurality of concentric layers, of the type that are rubberised in situ, that is, rubberised from inside, during the actual production, by a so-called filling rubber, wherein all or some of the gaps between the wires of the cord contain a thermoplastic elastomer of the unsaturated type, especially a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer (TPS) such as a block copolymer SBS, SBBS, SIS or SBIS. Such a thermoplastic elastomer, implemented in its melted state, does not cause any unwanted sticking problems in the event of the filling rubber overrunning outside the cord after production; its unsaturated and therefore (co)vulcanisable character enable it to be excellently compatible with diene rubber matrices, especially natural rubber, such as those usually used as calendering rubber in the metal fabrics used to reinforce tyres.