Method for protecting tire innerliner using thermoformable film coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive

摘要

A method is provided for protecting a surface (28) of a tire innerliner (16) from contamination by a release agent during curing. A pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA)-coated thermoformable film (18) is pressed onto an exposed surface (28) of a green tire innerliner (16) to adhere the PSA (22) to the surface and thereby form a protected green innerliner. The PSA is based on a rubber that is compatible with the rubber of the tire innerliner. The protected green innerliner is then exposed to the release agent, and cured. By virtue of the PSA, the film stays reliably in position. The thermoformable film is then removed to reveal the cured surface substantially free of the release agent.