Nv Bekaert Sa

Xavier De Vos

Frans Van Giel

Yvan A Lippens

Albert R Somers

Luc Sabbe

A steel structure adapted for the reinforcement of elastomeric members has steel elements containing a plurality of steel filaments at least one of which filaments is provided with first and second crimps. The first crimp lies in a plane that is substantially different from the plane of the second crimp. Application of the both crimps can be carried out efficiently using two pairs of toothed wheels which are not externally driven. This arrangement renders it possible to obtain steel structures with an increased penetration of rubber or with an increased elongation at break.

Steel cord with waved elements

A steel cord (10) adapted for the reinforcement of elastomeric products comprises a core and a layer arranged around the core. The core comprises one to four core filaments (12) and the layer comprises three to ten layer filaments (14). At least one of the core filaments (12) have a first wave form and at least one of the layer filaments (14) have a second wave form such that the first wave form is substantially different from said second wave form. This allows to control the size of the micro-gaps and to guarantee rubber penetration.

Steel cord with differently waved filaments

A steel cord (114) comprises strength elements (100, 132) and having a length, a longitudinal central axis (112) and a cord pitch. At least one of the elements (100) has a projection on a plane YZ perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (112). This projection takes the form of a curve with a radius of curvature which alternates between a maximum and a minimum. The curve further has a center of curvature. The radius of curvature and the center of curvature lie inside the curve so that a convex curve is obtained. The cord (114) is further characterized by one or both of following features:

Open steel cord structure

A steel cord comprises steel filaments twisted around each other in a first direction about at least one steel core filament having a wave form. The twisted filaments are individually subjected to a rotation about their own axes. This steel cord is formed by deforming the core filament into a planar wave form and twisting the core filament in a second direction to a predetermined degree. The core filaments together with the other filaments are twisted in the first direction so that the twisted filaments are individually subjected to a rotation around their own axes in the first direction.

Twisting steel cord with wavy filament

A steel cord (10) adapted for the reinforcement of elastomers, comprises individual steel filaments (12, 14). Some of these steel filaments (12) have a difference in torsion saturation level in comparison with other steel filaments (14). All of the individual steel filaments have a predetermined number of residual torsions and are preferably free of residual torsions. Such a steel cord is manufactured by making use of two false twisters.

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Oudenaarde, Belgium

Xavier De Vos