What's the difference between good and bad belts?

Material strength

Material plays arguably the most important role in ensuring the quality and performance of a V-belt. The tensile cord running through the belt handles the lion's share of the duty, so physical properties are vital.

A rubber belt with a polyester cord, and one with aramid, may look the same from the exterior, but their power ratings are totally different. Therefore, dependant on the type of cord used - aramid, fibre glass, polyester - quality, length stability, power and performance will inevitable vary. The stronger the cord, raw materials and build, the better overall performance. The cheaper the cord, the higher possibility of bowing under tension.

The amount of primary material used should also be factored in. A high-performance belt manufactured from 40% EPDM, for example, will outperfrom one of 10%, with many imported versions made up of filler materials. Belts with lower EPDM content will deteriorate quicker, significantly reducing their lifecycle.

Belts such as the FennerⓇ Quattro Plus TW (twinn wrapped) have better length stability due to more highly developed tension cord technology, and improved protection against abrasion, utilising a state-of-the-art wrapped chloroprene rubber construction with a 2-ply asymmetrical weave outer jacket.

Storage conditions

Regardless of the quality of your belt, storage conditions can have a significant impact on their performance, and due diligence should be taken to ensure the correct conditions are met.  For example, if storage temperatures exceed 30°C service levels could be reduced, and under no circumstances should you store your V-belts in conditions above 46°C.

To ensure premium storage conditions, try hanging your V-belts on pegs or crescent-shaped saddles to prevent weight distribution leading to distortion.

Once out of storage, installation and maintenance processes must be undertaken correctly, or the performance and lifecycle of your belt will also be reduced.

Consistency is key

Traditionally, belt manufacture is a very manual process, and the curing process of rubber hasn't changed significantly since its invention, therefore consistency should be a very high importance.

We automatically assume that if our belts come from the same manufacturer and factory, then they all share the same properties. But that's not strictly true.

Overall quality is dependant on the experience and precision of the builder, quality of moulds, and technology used in the process. With everything factored in, the only true way of guaranteeing the best quality belts, is by choosing a reputable manufacturer and selecting a belt that is suitable for your application.

The future is 'smart belts'

Companies like ContiTech are now looking into the possibilities of improving and reducing maintenance processes by introducing new belting technologies utilising sensors that can measure key states including temperature, elongation and corrosion. Data will then be transferred to a computer, aiding in a transition from reactive to preventative maintenance.

Are you getting the most from your belts? Check out the latest ERIKS instructional video on how to assess your pulleys for wear and damage. Visit www.vimeo.com/eriksuk