Adhesion of a reinforcing cord or filament to a rubber matrix and pneumatic tire comprising a belt reinforing structure

A method for forming an adhesion joint between a filament (1010) or cord (1100) and a rubber matrix is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a filament (1010) or a cord (1100) having an initial relatively smooth surface; texturing the smooth surface or the filament (1010) or a cord (1100) such that the resulting surface is rougher than the initial surface of the filament (1010) or cord (1100); depositing a polymer coating, preferably an uniform polymer coating, onto the textured surface of the filament (1010) or cord (1100) by plasma polymerization of an organic precursor (201, 301) in a plasma (203, 303), preferably an air plasma and/or an atmospheric plasma; and inserting the textured and coated filament (1010) or cord (1101) into a rubber matrix. Also, cord or filament for use in a pneumatic tire is disclosed wherein the cord (1101) or the filament is micro-textured and comprises a polymer coating. Finally, a pneumatic tire comprising a reinforcing structure comprising such a filament or cord (1101) is disclosed.