Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a steel wire for reinforcing an elastomeric material. The steel wire has a metal core and a coating layer made of a metal alloy material having a composition including at least one first metal component and at least one second metal component. The method includes the steps of: a) conveying the steel core along a predetermined path in a substantially continuous manner; b) co-sputtering at least one first powered cathode made of said first metal component and at least one second powered cathode made of said second metal component onto the steel core being moved along the predetermined path to obtain a coating layer made of a metal alloy material of a first composition; and c) adjusting the power provided to at least one of the first and second cathodes to obtain a coating layer made of a metal alloy material of a second composition.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a steel wire for reinforcing an elastomeric material. The steel wire has a metal core and a coating layer made of a metal alloy material having a composition including at least one first metal component and at least one second metal component. The method includes the steps of: a) conveying the steel core along a predetermined path in a substantially continuous manner; b) co-sputtering at least one first powered cathode made of said first metal component and at least one second powered cathode made of said second metal component onto the steel core being moved along the predetermined path to obtain a coating layer made of a metal alloy material of a first composition; and c) adjusting the power provided to at least one of the first and second cathodes to obtain a coating layer made of a metal alloy material of a second composition.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a metal wire having a steel core and a metal coating layer in a radially outer position with respect to the steel core. The metal coating layer includes an alloy of at least two metal components. The process includes the steps of coating the steel core by depositing onto the steel core separate layers of the two metal components, each layer having a thickness not greater than 50 nm, and drawing the coated core to form the alloy of the at least two metal components. Preferably, the deposition step is carried out by means of a plasma deposition technique.

Abstract: A metal wire for reinforcing an elastomeric material includes a metal core and a metal coating layer. The core includes a predetermined initial diameter. A method for producing the wire includes submitting the core to at least one surface treatment, thermally treating the core, depositing the coating layer on the core, and drawing the metal-coated metal core. The at least one surface treatment predisposes a surface of the core to being coated with the coating layer. The coating layer is deposited on the core to a predetermined initial thickness using a plasma deposition technique. The metal-coated metal core is drawn until the core includes a final diameter smaller than the predetermined initial diameter and the coating layer includes a final thickness smaller than the predetermined initial thickness. A metal cord for reinforcing an elastomeric material and a method for producing the metal cord are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrolytic process for depositing copper on a steel wire in which the wire travels through an acidic electrolytic bath of an aqueous solution of Cu2+ ions in the form of a salt of an acid. A direct electric current passes through the solution between at least one anode and the wire acting as cathode. The bath also has from 1.9 to 6 mM/l of a thiourea and from 1.9 to 6 mM/l of an amino acid.

Abstract: A brass coated metallic wire for use as a reinforcing component in an elastomeric article, such as a motor vehicle tire. The brass coating is formed by depositing alternate layers of copper and zinc on the wire and then drawing the wire under conditions of temperature and pressure suitable to alloy the copper and zinc to form a brass coating on the wire.

Abstract: A brass coated metallic wire for use as a reinforcing component in an elastomeric article, such as a motor vehicle tire. The brass coating is formed by depositing alternate layers of copper and zinc on the wire and then drawing the wire under conditions of temperature and pressure suitable to alloy the copper and zinc to form a brass coating on the wire.

Abstract: A brass coated metallic wire for use as a reinforcing component in an elastomeric article, such as a motor vehicle tire. The brass coating is formed by depositing alternate layers of copper and zinc on the wire and then drawing the wire under conditions of temperature and pressure suitable to alloy the copper and zinc to form a brass coating on the wire.

Abstract: A surface-treated metal component for reinforcing structures for manufactured products made of vulcanized elastomeric material, in which the said component is coated with a layer of metal alloy and in which the said alloy is an alloy ZnMoX in which X is a metal chosen from the group comprising cobalt, iron and nickel.

Abstract: A metal wire, having a steel core and being provided with a layer of cladding of a zinc/manganese alloy containing between 5% and 80% of manganese. The wire is used as a reinforcement structure for tires or other products of elastomer material. Several embodiments of a process for applying the cladding on the steel core by electrodeposition of the zinc/manganese alloy are also described.