The surface adhesion activation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) silk (PET silk) was accomplished through dipping in a reaction product of a water-soluble modified epoxide resin (SJR-2) and a precondensed resorcinol-formaldehyde (SJR-1), and by partial curing of the dip. Then, the adhesion activated sample was coated with a single resorcinol-formaldehyde latex (RFL) dip prepared from SJR-1. The effects of heat treatment conditions and formulation of impregnation solution as well as RFL prepared with water-soluble SJR-1 resin on the adhesion between PET silk and chlorohydrin rubber for aerial film were studied. High adhesion between PET silk and chlorohydrin rubber was obtained by using optimized RFL formulation and heat treatment condition, and the high levels of adhesion were maintained after oil impregnating test, dynamic fatigue and storage stability test. The PET silk possessed good adhesion to natural rubber (NR), chloroprene rubber (CR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene and rubber (NBR), and chlorohydrin rubber (CHR). RFL filled with diffused carbon black improved the fatigue endurance and oil resistance of adhesion. The adhesion activator is nontoxic. This method of adhesion activation and RFL preparation for adhesion treatment of poly(ethylene terephthalate) silk is a practical technique with excellent technological, economical, and safety effects. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.