Synthesis of cobalt complexes and their evaluation as an adhesion promoter in a rubber–steel wire system

Cobalt adhesion promoters are considered as one of the most important ingredients in the tyre industry for adhesion between the rubber compound and the brass plated steel cord for manufacturing of steel-belted radial tyres. Most of the commercially available cobalt compounds are either higher fatty acid salts, or cobaltchelate complexes, e.g., cobalt octate, naphthenate, stearate and cobalt-boron complexes. Among all the available cobalt salts, cobalt-boron complexes are the most popular ones and bond well. Considering the availability, economics and performance of the different cobalt salts, an attempt has been made in this study to synthesise different cobalt-chelate complexes and to make a comparative evaluation. In some of the cases the cobalt complexes developed showed better adhesion properties as compared to the control compound.