What materials are available for the conveyor belt?

 Conveyor Belt Materials

They must be durable, long-lasting and resistant to a wide range of temperatures, humidity and chemicals.

There are five main materials used for conveyor belts: thermoplastics, metal, rubber, fabric and leather. Plastics include polyester, polyvinyl chloride, silicone and polyethylene. Metals are stainless steel and carbon steel, and fabric materials are canvas or cotton. The most popular material is rubber compound because it is flexible, durable, smooth and seamless.

It also does not have any holes or openings. For added strength, many belt materials contain additives, including fabric, steel, polyester or fibreglass. Many flat belts are actually made up of a core material and a cover. These belts are part of many different types of conveyor, including trough, inclined, horizontal, food grade and overhead conveyors, but they are not used in chain, pneumatic or screw conveyors.

Choosing the correct belt material is the most important specification involved in a conveyor system, as the wrong material can affect productivity or worker safety.

Conveyor systems, especially in manufacturing facilities, traverse many different environments. For example, assembly line conveyors may pass through ovens, underwater parts washers or some kind of secondary operation such as painting. They must therefore be resistant, durable and able to handle these harsh conditions on a continuous and regular basis.

Conveyor belts for transporting ingredients, raw materials and finished, unpackaged goods in food or beverage processing plants are made of stainless steel or heat-resistant, non-contaminating plastic resins. They must be FDA or USDA approved and easy to clean and sanitise. Materials such as some hard plastics or metals lack the flexibility required to be conveyed, which requires the belts to be bent, as they sit on a continuous ring around two sets of rollers.

In these cases, small parts are interlocked together or woven together to bend and twist. However, these often have holes or cracks and are not smooth or waterproof. They are not suitable for carrying small or irregularly shaped items and bagged products which may sag or fall through the cracks.

1. Thermoplastics

Thermoplastic belts are made of thermoplastic polymers. Because of their flexibility and hygienic construction, thermoplastic belts are ideally suited to a number of industries, including food handling, textile production and heavy metal transfer. Thermoplastic belts are also very light. According to the National Industrial Conveyor Belt Association, to be defined as a lightweight conveyor belt, it must have an operating tension of less than 160 lbs per inch of width.

The two most common types of thermoplastic conveyor belts are polyurethane (PU) belts and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) belts.

PU belts: PU belts are made from FDA approved materials and are ideal for food production. They can withstand extremely low and high temperatures without melting or warping, and PU belts are also easy to clean.

PVC belts: these belts are usually flame retardant and can withstand temperatures similar to those of PU belts. pvc belts can handle contact with chemicals. They are known for their durability. PVC belts are usually corrugated for maximum grip.

2. Metal

Metal belts are robust and durable, making them ideal for almost all industries - especially those involving raw materials such as food service or unpackaged goods. In addition to being durable, these belts are flat and easy to handle. They are also rigid, which means you don't have to worry about the belt changing shape over time. However, for the same reason, they are not easily formed or bent, so the possible conveyor paths are limited.

Metal conveyor belts are usually made of aluminium or formed stainless steel or carbon steel.

3. Rubber

If you have spent much time in airports, you have probably seen rubber conveyor belts in operation. They are popular in such environments as well as in mining. Rubber conveyor belt materials are prized for their flexibility and smooth, seamless design. They are also one of the most affordable conveyor belt options.

However, they are far less heat and wear resistant than other conveyor belt materials. They are also more challenging to keep clean.

4. Fabrics

Fabric conveyor belts are usually medium impact and cost effective. They are often used to transport gravel, sand or other bulk materials. Most grocery shops use fabric-based belts in their checkout lines.

Nylon: Nylon is very durable, resistant to high temperatures and can withstand heavy pressure. It also adheres well to rubber in the case of mixed conveyors. It is also less susceptible to mould than other fabrics.

Polyester: Polyester is another synthetic material used for conveyor belts. It has many of the same advantages as nylon, but is usually cheaper and quieter in operation.

5. Leather

Many early models of conveyor belts were made of leather because of its durability and accessibility. Leather is also shock resistant and has a good grip on the ground.

Choose PFM Screen for high quality conveyor belts.