Metallic or metallized, graphenized reinforcement

Abstract

A threadlike metallic or metallized reinforcer, for example a thread, film, tape or cord made of carbon steel, at the periphery of which is positioned a layer of metal referred to as “surface metal” chosen from copper, nickel and copper/nickel alloys, is characterized in that this surface metal layer is itself coated, at least in part, with at least one layer of graphene; preferably, there is grafted, to this graphene, at least one functional group which can crosslink to a polymer matrix. This reinforcer of the invention is effectively protected from corrosion by virtue of the graphene present at the surface; advantageously, it can be adhesively bonded directly, without adhesion primer or addition of metal salt, to an unsaturated rubber matrix, such as natural rubber, by virtue of the possible functionalization of this graphene.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.