Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) has been shown to be an effective methodology to make adhesive bonds between elastomeric and metal substrates in both self-and cross-bonding configurations.  It has also been show to be an effective technology in promoting adhesion in fiber/elastomer composites.  In a process we named Contact Metathesis Polymerization (CMP), excellent room temperature adhesion results when two substrates are mated wherein one substrate surface is coated with the metathesis catalyst and the other substrate surface is coated with a ROMPable monomer.  However, the performance of this technology under dynamic conditions, where the bond could experience higher temperatures, was unknown and thus prompted this investigation. 

We will describe room and elevated temperature adhesion results of using this methodology to bond tire carcass-to-tire tread and post-vulcanized EPDM-to-grit-blasted steel in which bis-norbornadienes were used as crosslinkers.  The resulting bonded assemblies were evaluated using a 180° Peel Test in a temperature range from Ð40 °C to 66 °C at various crosslinker concentrations.  Significant improvements in bond strength were observed for bonded specimens at elevated temperatures with little detrimental affect on low temperature strengths even at high crosslinker concentrations.  Crosslinker solubility in the ROMP monomer was found to be an important variable as too low of concentration did not improve performance.  The synthesis of the bis-norbornadiene crosslinkers will also be presented.