Static and dynamic adhesive properties between continuous basalt fibre cords and NR/SBR matrix tackified by p-octylphenolic resins

The effects of p-octylphenolic resins on the adhesion between continuous basalt fibre (CBF) cords with various surface treatments, i.e., desizing and RFL dipping, and a natural rubber (NR)/styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix were investigated by adding p-n-octylphenolic and p-t-octylphenolic resins to the rubber matrix, respectively. The structure of the RF resins with various F/R ratios was characterized and probed by field desorption mass spectrometry (FD-MS) and solubility testing. The desized and 2 types of RFL-dipped CBF cords were used to prepare the H-shaped samples with the matrices. The results of H pull-out tests showed that the p-octylphenolic resins could more effectively improve the static adhesion between the CBF cord and the rubber matrix when the cord was coated by the RFL layer with a high F/R ratio. The dynamic adhesive properties were studied with an MTS elastomer testing system, and the results showed that the addition of either resin could significantly improve the interfacial fatigue life of the RFL-coated cord/rubber matrix. The p-t-octylphenolic resin was demonstrated to be more effective due to the branching side chain and higher molecular mass, which resulted in sufficient entanglement between the molecular chain of the matrix and the RFL layer.