Micro-XRF for Non-Destructive Analysis of Brass-Coated Steel Tire Cords

Tire cords play an important role in the performance of automotive tires, where a brass coating is applied to enhance adhesion between the cord and the rubber. The coating thickness and composition are essential for ensuring optimal properties. In this application note, we utilized HORIBA’s micro-XRF system, XGT-9000, for non-destructive analysis of a brass-coated steel tire cord. We successfully detected fluorescent X-ray peaks of both Cu and Zn, derived from the thin brass coating, and the calculated thickness and composition were consistent with the reported values.