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Conveyor belts are essential components in a wide range of industries—from mining and steel to food processing and logistics. Among the many performance parameters that define a belt's reliability, tensile strength is one of the most critical. It determines how much force a belt can withstand before failing, and directly influences durability, load capacity, and operational safety.
At Rentone Belt Co., Ltd., with over 25 years of experience in conveyor belt manufacturing, we understand how vital tensile strength is in achieving long-lasting, high-performance conveyor systems. In this article, we explore the top factors that influence tensile strength and how our belts are engineered to meet the toughest demands.
Tensile strength affects a conveyor belt's ability to:
Handle Heavy Loads: Systems that transport dense materials like ore or coal require belts with high tensile ratings.
Maintain Structural Integrity: Especially in long-distance, high-speed, or inclined systems where belt tension is high.
Resist Environmental Degradation: Belts exposed to heat, oil, UV radiation, or chemicals degrade faster without strong tensile performance.
Insufficient tensile strength can lead to belt stretching, tearing, or even catastrophic failure—causing downtime and safety hazards.
The materials used in the carcass and cover layers form the backbone of a conveyor belt's strength:
Rubber Compounds: Different rubber types (natural, nitrile, neoprene, PVC) offer varying tensile characteristics.
Fabric Carcass: Polyester (warp) and nylon (weft) combinations, typical in EP belts, offer strength with flexibility.
Steel Cords: Provide exceptional tensile capacity for heavy-duty applications, though less flexible.
Polyurethane: Known for excellent tensile and wear resistance, ideal for harsh environments.
At Rentone Belt, we select materials based on your application—whether that's lightweight EP fabric or high-tensile steel cord belts.
The structural design has a direct impact on how stress is managed:
Number of Plies: More layers can increase tensile strength by distributing load evenly, but too many may reduce flexibility.
Ply Thickness: Thicker layers improve durability but must be matched to pulley sizes.
Reinforcement Type: Fabric carcasses suit general use; steel cords are for high-tension, long-span systems.
Adhesive Layers: High-quality bonding between plies prevents delamination under stress.
The microstructure of the rubber matters as much as the material:
Molecular Weight: Higher molecular weight = longer polymer chains = better strength.
Cross-Linking Density: More chemical bonds between chains improve elasticity and resistance to breakage.
Crystallinity: Materials like natural rubber exhibit structured molecular alignment under tension, boosting strength.
Rubber Blending: Combining rubbers (e.g. NBR with PVC) enhances strength and performance in specific environments.
Rubber strength is also affected by the additives used:
Reinforcing Fillers: Carbon black, zinc oxide, and stearic acid increase toughness.
Particle Size: Finer additives distribute more evenly, strengthening the rubber matrix.
Softening Agents: Improve flexibility, but excessive amounts can lower tensile strength.
Rentone's proprietary mixing techniques balance these ingredients for optimal belt performance.
One of the most common failure points in a belt is interlayer delamination:
Strong Bonding Agents: Ensure rubber and fabric layers stay intact under load.
Controlled Vulcanization: Precise heat and pressure ensure full adhesion and consistent tensile characteristics.
High tensile strength can only be achieved with strict control over manufacturing processes:
Calendering: Ensures uniform rubber thickness.
Fabric Embedding: Maintains consistent tension during integration to avoid stress concentrations.
Vulcanization: Forms a durable, elastic network of cross-links in the rubber.
Rentone uses fully automated, ISO-compliant systems to maintain quality and repeatability.
Even the strongest belts degrade over time if exposed to harsh conditions:
UV Radiation: Breaks down rubber chains, causing cracking.
Heat & Cold: Alters elasticity and can make belts brittle or soft.
Humidity: Especially affects fabric-reinforced belts.
Chemical Exposure: Oils, acids, and solvents can weaken rubber and adhesives.
Abrasive Materials: Constant friction with rough materials erodes belt strength over time.
Rentone offers specialized belts (heat-resistant, oil-resistant, flame-retardant) designed for these challenges.
Real-world usage plays a big role in strength requirements:
Heavy Loads or Inclined Transport: Require stronger belts with higher safety margins.
Pulley Diameter and Speed: Influence flexing fatigue and stress concentration.
Impact Loading: Shock from dropping materials may require reinforced impact zones.
Rentone's engineering team works with clients to tailor belt designs for real-world conditions.
Rentone follows ISO 10247 and DIN 22102 standards to ensure tensile performance:
Dumbbell Sample Testing: Rubber specimens are stretched to break using universal testing machines.
Key Metrics:
Maximum force before rupture (tensile strength)
Elongation at break
Abrasion resistance
These tests verify our belts meet or exceed global performance benchmarks.
Understanding load and system configuration helps select the correct belt:
Total Belt Strength (N) = Tensile Strength per mm × Belt Width (mm) × Number of Plies
Required Tensile Strength (N/mm) =Maximum Load (N) ÷ Belt Width (mm)
Always include a safety factor of 8–10 for shock loads, startup surges, and material variations.
To preserve tensile performance:
Regular Inspections: Detect cracks, edge wear, or joint damage early.
Cleaning: Prevents abrasive materials from shortening belt life.
Proactive Replacements: Replace worn sections before failures occur.
Rentone provides full-service support and parts for long-term reliability.
With over two decades of experience and a global customer base, Rentone Belt Co., Ltd. delivers:
ISO, DIN, RMA-compliant belts
Custom fabric, steel cord, and special-purpose belt solutions
In-house R&D and quality assurance
Tailored consultation based on real operating conditions
Understanding the factors affecting conveyor belt tensile strength is essential for selecting the right belt for your application. By considering material composition, rubber properties, fabric structure, manufacturing precision, environmental conditions, and regular testing, you can ensure optimal performance and longevity of your conveyor systems.
