Modification of two synthetic rubbers, namely polybutactiene (BR) and bromobutyl (BIIR), were carried out to enhance their adhesion performance and their lining to steel to protect it against corrosion. Two different feasible and industrially applicable techniques were used for grafting the two rubbers under investigation individually with maleic anhydride (MAH), namely the reactive extrusion and the mechanochemical techniques. The modified rubbers were characterized by FTIR-spectroscopy, chemical analysis, elemental analysis, and by measuring the surface wetting tension. These applied techniques improved the adhesion performance of the rubber towards steel surface markedly. Grafting of BR with MAH via mechanochemical technique increased the adhesion strength of BR by four to five times, whereas grafting of BIIR with MAH via reactive extrusion techniques increased the adhesion strength of the parent BIIR up to more than five times. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.