REINFORCEMENT CORD WITH RADIATION CONTRAST
A reinforcement cord which comprises a first fiber ( 302 ) having a first radiation attenuation coefficient. The reinforcement cord also comprises a contrast agent applied to the first fiber. The contrast agent has a second radiation attenuation coefficient that is different (e.g., greater) than that of the first radiation attenuation coefficient. In some embodiments, the reinforcement cord is incorporated into a composite product, such as a tire. In some embodiments, the contrast agent improves and/or enhances the discernibility of the reinforcement cord in a composite product during a radiation examination, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan. A method of manufacturing the reinforcement cord is also disclosed.
1 . A tire comprising:
a matrix; and
a reinforcement cord in the matrix, the reinforcement cord comprising:
a first fiber having a first radiation attenuation coefficient; and
a contrast agent applied to the first fiber, the contrast agent having a second radiation attenuation coefficient different than that of the first radiation attenuation coefficient.
2 . The tire of claim 1 , the matrix comprising:
at least one of a plastic, a rubber or a polymer.
3 . The tire of claim 1 , the contrast agent comprising:
at least one of iodine, barium, bismuth, gadolinium, gold or thorium.
4 . The tire of claim 1 , the contrast agent comprising:
an element with an atomic number of 53 or greater.
5 . The tire of claim 1 , the first fiber comprising:
at least one of polyester, cotton, rayon, nylon, polyamide, metal, or glass.
6 . The tire of claim 1 , comprising:
a second fiber twisted around the first fiber.
7 . The tire of claim 1 , the second radiation attenuation coefficient greater than the first radiation attenuation coefficient.
8 . The tire of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement cord has a diameter of about 0.1 to about 2 mm
9 . A reinforcement cord comprising:
a first fiber having a first radiation attenuation coefficient; and
a contrast agent applied to the first fiber, the contrast agent having a second radiation attenuation coefficient different than that of the first radiation attenuation coefficient.
10 . The reinforcement cord of claim 9 , the contrast agent comprising:
at least one of iodine, barium, bismuth, gadolinium, gold, or thorium.
11 . The reinforcement cord of claim 9 , the contrast agent comprising:
an element with an atomic number of 53 or greater.
12 . The reinforcement cord of claim 9 , the first fiber comprising:
at least one of polyester, cotton, rayon, nylon, polyamide, metal, or glass.
13 . The reinforcement cord of claim 9 , comprising:
a second fiber twisted around the first fiber.
14 . The reinforcement cord of claim 9 , the second radiation attenuation coefficient greater than the first radiation attenuation coefficient.
15 . The reinforcement cord of claim 9 , having a diameter of about 0.1 to about 2 mm.
16 . The reinforcement cord of claim 9 , wherein the reinforcement cord is part of a composite product.
17 . A method of manufacturing a reinforcement cord comprising:
providing a first fiber having a first radiation attenuation coefficient; and
applying a contrast agent to the first fiber, the contrast agent having a second radiation attenuation coefficient different than that of the first radiation attenuation coefficient.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the applying comprises coating the first fiber with the contrast agent.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the applying comprises providing for absorption of the contrast agent by the first fiber.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the applying comprises doping the first fiber with the contrast agent.