What Materials Are Used In Conveyor Belts?

Conveyor belts are made from a variety of materials, including metal, rubber, fabric, thermoplastic and leather. Teflon conveyor belts - a plastic material known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) - are arguably one of the most durable and versatile conveying products on the market. They can be used in many different industrial and commercial environments, including warehouses, manufacturing facilities, product packaging factories, grocery stores and more.

 

Conveyor belt material selection

 

The application

Does the conveyor belt need to withstand heavy impacts? What are the temperatures, from frying to freezing? Will the conveyor belt be submerged in an impregnation bath?

 

Check your specific application and determine what conveyor belt will pass through at that point in the process line. Doing so can help answer many key questions about which material is best.

PTFE Fabric Belts

Unprocessed product can enter a plant with sand or dirt from the outside. Potatoes from the peeler can release starch for the application. The product may pass through a boiling oil bath and end up covered in flavourings and spices. Each application brings different temperature, physical and chemical factors into play.

 

The material you choose for your conveyor belt must be tailored to withstand the shocks associated with each application. Ask yourself what makes this particular application different from other areas of the factory.

 

Teflon conveyor belts are quite robust and have a protective coating to prevent surface damage. This also extends their service life and the quality of the product. As a result, Teflon conveyor belts are capable of transporting hard, soft, large, heavy, small and light products.

 

Tip: If your conveyor belt must be stored before use, avoid exposing it to sunlight. Many materials cannot withstand UV light for long before they begin to degrade.

PTFE Seamless Belts

Temperature exposure

Over time, low temperatures can cause certain materials (such as rubber or certain plastics) to become brittle and crumble. Although it is technically classified as a plastic, Teflon conveyor belts can handle a wide range of hot and cold temperature fluctuations. It also has a non-stick coated surface that prevents certain materials (such as metals) from adhering to it at extremely hot temperatures and delays the conveying or production process.

 

Aspects

Product specifications such as weight, size and shape as well as the distance they are to be transported also determine the type of conveyor belt you should use. Teflon belts are rigid enough to hold their shape and bear the weight of heavy loads, and flexible enough to remain intact at low temperatures and handle a variety of angular configurations.

PTFE Teflon Mesh Conveyor Belts

By using the correct specified conveyor belt material, your plant will have everything to gain.

 

Before you make your next conveyor belt purchase, consider its application, the environmental conditions in the area, the specifics of the product being conveyed, and even how the belt will be stored prior to operation.

 

Better performance, longer belt life, higher product throughput, less maintenance, lower costs and less chance of failure are just some of the benefits you can get from choosing the right conveyor belt material.

PTFE Seamless Sealing Belts/2-PLY Belts

Of all the potential problems that can occur in a food processing facility, your choice of conveyor belt material is not necessarily the cause of the problem. Consult your conveyor belt partner and equipment manufacturer as early as possible. They can work together and work with you to make the right choice.

 

Get in touch with a Bocheng New Tech Materias conveyor belt specialist to discuss which conveyor belt material is right for your application, environment and product.