Abstract: Disclosed herein are a tire-reinforcing steel cord and a pneumatic radial tire using the same. The tire-reinforcing steel cord includes an inner layer consisting of 3 filaments and an outer layer consisting of 7 or 8 filaments and surrounding the inner layer. The inner layer and the outer layer are twisted in such a manner that they have the same twist direction and the same twist pitch length, whereby the number of the twisting steps in the manufacture of the steel cord is reduced, and also the penetration of rubber into the steel cord is improved such that the steel cord has an improved durability upon application to tires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high strength steel cord(1) for pneumatic tires, which is produced by the process of drawing high strength carbon steel with carbon content of 0.91.about.2.0% by weight, plating brass on the surface of the carbon steel so that it adheres to the rubber and repeating the drawing and stranding of said carbon steel. In particular, as the steel cord is composed of a filament of two strips, the steel cord according to the present invention is of a higher strength than conventional steel cord, and therefore when it is applied to a tire, the amount of steel cord and rubber topping used can be reduced, thereby resulting in a lighter weight tire, cost savings and lower fuel consumption rate.