Conveyor belt information - Swicofil

A conveyor belt is the carrying medium of a conveyor belt system. A belt conveyor system consists of two or more pulleys (sometimes referred to as drums), with an endless loop of carrying medium—the conveyor belt—that rotates about them. Conveyor belt (systems) are usually used in automated distribution and warehousing


Conveyor belts differentiate themselves from each other by three main characteristics:
 

• construction
  Conveyor belts are either made with PVC or then rubber, depending on the end application of the conveyor belt. Normally, conveyor belts are made by rubber belts, as rubber is flexible within a wide temperature range / during prolonged use, has a high tear strength as well as a high friction coefficient. 
  PVC on the other hand is used when safety has a high priority, due to PVC's inherent flame retardancy.
   
• reinforcement
  How is the rubber / PVC coating reinforced? There are various materials to do so (please see below).
   
• service
  Meaning where the conveyor belt finds its end use. Possiblities include mining, bulk goods handling, the food insutry or low temperature service.

In general, a conveyor belt has to meet the following basic requirements:
 

• high strength
  A conveyor belt must have the proper strength to withstand the maximum operation tension in the belt throughout its service life. Extending this thought, this means that the maximum working load is about 10-15% of the breaking load of the conveyor belt.
   
• good troughability
   
• low growth
  A low growth means a high dimensional stability in longitudinal direction which is crucial for operating a conveyor belt without frequest delays for readjusting the correct pretension.
   
• high impact resistance
   
• low bending resistance / no buckling
   
• good adhesion between components
  Meaning the reinforcement material and the matrix material work perfectly together.