Adhesion promoters with epoxy-reactive groups

A rubber containing product comprising:

• a polymeric fiber coated with a compound having a plurality of epoxy groups, wherein the polymeric fiber is coupled to a rubber via an adhesion promoter, wherein the polymeric fiber comprises a polyester fiber;
• wherein the adhesion promoter comprises a polymeric strand with an epoxy-reactive group other than a phenolic hydroxyl group, further comprising a crosslinking group that has crosslinked the polymeric strand with the rubber, wherein the adhesion promoter is water soluble in an amount of at least 10 g/l;
• and
• wherein the polymeric strand comprises a polybutadiene which is grafted with a maleic anhydride and wherein the maleic anhydride is reacted with a compound selected from the group consisting of a methoxy polyethylene glycol, a monoamine terminated polyoxyalkylene, and a monoalcohol terminated polyoxyalkylene.

A method of fabricating a rubber containing product, comprising:

• providing a rubber, and a polymeric fiber coated with a compound having a plurality of epoxy groups;
• providing an adhesion promoter having a polymeric strand with an epoxy-reactive group other than a phenolic hydroxyl group, and further having a crosslinking group,
• wherein the polymeric strand comprises a polybutadiene which is grafted with a maleic anhydride and wherein the maleic anhydride is reacted with a compound selected from the group consisting of a methoxy polyethylene glycol, a monoamine terminated polyoxyalkylene, and a monoalcohol terminated polyoxyalkylene,
• and wherein the adhesion promoter is water soluble in an amount of at 10 g/l, and
• covalently coupling the rubber with the polymeric fiber via the adhesion promoter, wherein the epoxy-reactive group forms a covalent bond with the epoxy group, and wherein the crosslinking group forms another covalent bond with the rubber.