RUBBER/METAL CORD COMPOSITE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rubber/metal cord composite comprising a 1×3 structure steel cord ensured in the stability of twist shape and improved in rubber permeability. SOLUTION: This rubber/metal composite is produced by embedding a 1×3 structure steel cord 1 comprising three twisted element wires 2 in a rubber. The steel cord comprises expanded portions A where in the circumscribed circle of each cross section has an approximately flat elliptic shape and wherein the element wires 2 are separated from each other, and reduced portions B wherein the circumscribed circle of each cross section has an approximately circular shape and wherein at least two of the element wires are brought into contact with each other. The expanded portions A and the reduced portions B are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction. Therein, the minor diameter (a) and the major diameter (b) of the circumscribed circle in the expanded portion A has a (a)/(b) flatness ratio of 0.7-0.9, and the major diameter (b) and the circumscribed circle diameter (d) of the reduced portion B has a (b)/(d) ratio of 1.1-1.45. The length of each reduced portion in the longitudinal direction is one third or large as long as the twist pitch of the cord is concerned, and the distance between the adjacent reduced portions B is two times or larger the twist pitch of the cord.