BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

Department of Engineering and Architecture

Machine Design 2

BELTS

A belt is a flexible power transmission element that seats

tightly on a set of pulleys or sheaves. When the belt is used
for speed reduction, the typical case, the smaller sheave is
mounted on the high-speed shaft, such as the shaft of an
electric motor. The larger sheave is mounted on the driven
machine. The belt is designed to ride around the two sheaves
without slipping. Belts are the cheapest utility for power
transmission between shafts that may not be axially aligned.
Power transmission is achieved by specially designed belts
and pulleys. The demands on a belt drive transmission
system are large and this has led to many variations on the
theme. They run smoothly and with little noise, and cushion
motor and bearings against load changes, albeit with less
strength than gears or chains.
The amount of power transmitted depends upon the following factors:

1. The velocity of the belt.

2. The tension under which the belt is placed on the pulleys.
3. The arc of contact between the belt and the smaller pulley.
4. The conditions under which the belt is used.
It may be noted that:

a. The shafts should be properly in line to insure uniform tension across the belt section.
b. The pulleys should not be too close together, in order that the arc of contact on the
smaller pulley may be as large as possible.
c. The pulleys should not be so far apart as to cause the belt to weigh heavily on the
shafts, thus increasing the friction load on the bearings.
d. A long belt tends to swing from side to side, causing the belt to run out of the pulleys,
which in turn develops crooked spots in the belt.
e. The tight side of the belt should be at the bottom, so that whatever sag is present on the
loose side will increase the arc of contact at the pulleys.
f. In order to obtain good results with flat belts, the maximum distance between the shafts
should not exceed 10 metres and the minimum should not be less than 3.5 times the
diameter of the larger pulley.

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 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

Types of belt

Though there are many types of belts used these days, yet the following are important
from the subject point of view:
1. Flat belt - The flat belt is mostly used in the factories
and workshops, where a moderate amount of power is
to be transmitted, from one pulley to another when the
two pulleys are not more than 8 metres apart. The flat
belt is a simple system of power transmission that was
well suited for its day. It delivered high power for high
speeds (500 hp for 10,000 ft/min), in cases of wide
belts and large pulleys. These drives are bulky,
requiring high tension leading to high loads, so vee
belts have mainly replaced the flat-belts except when
high speed is needed over power. Figure 13.1: Flat belt
Advantages:

 It can be used with high speed drives.

 It can be used in dusty and abrasive environments.

 It allows long distances between shafts.

 It offers long life high efficiency, low cost and low maintenance.
Disadvantages:

 The tension must be kept high so as to keep the slow two percent (2%). The
tension in high bearing loads and belt stress.

 Noise
2. V-belt - The V-belt is mostly used in the factories and
workshops, where a great amount of power is to be
transmitted, from one pulley to another, when the two
pulleys are very near to each other. V-belts (also known
as Vee-belt or wedge rope) solved the slippage and
alignment problem. It is now the basic belt for power
transmission. They provide the best combination of
traction, speed of movement, load of the bearings, and
long service life.
Figure 13.2: V belt
Advantages:

 The belt cannot come out of the grooves.

 The wedging action permits a smaller arc of contact.

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 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

 Shorter center distances can be used.

 Gripping action results in lower belt tension.

 The drives are quite of high speeds.

 The drive is capable of absorbing high shock.

 Standardization results in better initial installation and replacement.

3. Round belt - The circular belt or rope is mostly used in the factories and workshops,
where a great amount of power is to be transmitted, from one pulley to another, when
the two pulleys are more than 8 metres apart. Round belts are a circular cross section
belt designed to run in a pulley with a 60 degree V-groove. Round grooves are only
suitable for idler pulleys that guide the belt, or when (soft) O-ring type belts are used.
4. Toothed belt - Also known as timing belt. It is a positive transfer
belt and can track relative movement. These belts have teeth that
fit into a matching toothed pulley. When correctly tensioned, they
have no slippage, run at constant speed, and are often used to
transfer direct motion for indexing or timing purposes (hence their
name). They are often used in lieu of chains or gears, so there is
less noise and a lubrication bath is not necessary. Camshafts of
automobiles, miniature timing systems, and stepper motors often
utilize these belts. Timing belts need the least tension of all belts,
and are among the most efficient. They can bear up to 200 hp
(150 kW) at speeds of 16,000 ft/min.
Figure 13.3:
Advantages: Toothed belt
 Positive drive eliminates slippage and speed variation.

 Low initial tension.

 Uniform speed due to the absence of chordal effect.

 High horsepower to weight ratio.

 Low maintenance cost

 Wide speed range.

 Elimination of friction, low initial tension and thin belt construction prevents heat
build-up.

 Low noise level.

Types of belt connections

1. Speed of the driving and driven shafts

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 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

2. Power to be transmitted
3. Positive drive requirements
4. Space available

5. Speed reduction ratio

6. Center distance between the shafts
7. Shafts layout
8. Service conditions
9. Etc.
Types of belt drives
1. Light drives are used to transmit small powers at belt speed up to about 10 m/s as in
agricultural machines and small machine tools.
2. Medium drives are used to transmit medium powers at belt speeds over 10 m/s but
up to 22 m/s as in machine tools.
3. Heavy drives are used to transmit large powers at belt speeds above 22 m/s as in
compressors and generators.
Advantages of flat belt

1. It can be used with high speed drives.

2. It can be used in dusty and abrasive environments.
3. It allows long distances between shafts.
4. It offers long life, high efficiency, low cost and low maintenance.
Disadvantages of flat belt

1. The tension must be kept high so as to keep the slow two percent. This high tension
results in high bearing loads and belt stress.
2. Noise.
Types of belt connections
1. Open belt drive - The open belt drive is used with shafts arranged parallel and rotating
in the same direction. In this case, the driver A pulls the belt from one side (i.e. lower
side RQ) and delivers it to the other side (i.e. upper side LM). Thus the tension in the
lower side belt will be more than that in the upper side belt. The lower side belt
(because of more tension) is known as tight side whereas the upper side belt (because
of less tension) is known as slack side.

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 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

2. Crossed or twist belt drive - The crossed or twist belt drive is used with shafts
arranged parallel and rotating in the opposite directions. In this case, the driver pulls the
belt from one side (i.e. RQ) and delivers it to the other side (i.e. LM). Thus, the tension
in the belt RQ will be more than that in the belt LM. The belt RQ (because of more
tension) is known as tight side, whereas the belt LM (because of less tension) is known
as slack side.
Materials for transmission belts

1. Oak-tanned leather is the standard material for the flat belts.

2. Chrome leather is used where very pliable material is desired.
3. Rubber belt is used when exposed to moisture, acids and alkalies.
4. Fabric and canvas belts are used for light power transmission.
Uses of belts

1. Power transmission
2. Conveyor service
3. Elevator service

DERIVATION OF FORMULAS
Open belt connection

1. Belt Length

𝜋 (𝐷 − 𝐷1 )2
𝐿= (𝐷1 + 𝐷2 ) + 2𝐶 + 2
2 4𝐶
Where: L = the belt length
D1 = the driving pulley

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Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

D2 = the driven pulley

C = the center distance

2. Angle of Contact
𝐷2 − 𝐷1 𝐷2 − 𝐷1
𝜃2 = 180 + 2 sin−1 𝜃1 = 180 − 2 sin−1
2𝐶 2𝐶
Where: θ1 = the angle of contact of the small pulley
θ2 = the angle of contact of the big pulley
D1 = the driving pulley
D2 = the driven pulley
C = the center distance

3. Arc of Contact

𝑆1 = 𝑅1 𝜃1 𝑆2 = 𝑅2 𝜃2
Where: θ1 = the angle of contact of the small pulley
θ2 = the angle of contact of the big pulley
R1 = the radius of driving pulley

R2 = the radius of driven pulley

S1 = the arc of contact of driving pulley
S2 = the arc of contact of driven pulley

Crossed belt connection

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 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

1. Belt Length

𝜋 (𝐷 + 𝐷1 )2
𝐿= (𝐷1 + 𝐷2 ) + 2𝐶 + 2
2 4𝐶
Where: L = the belt length
D1 = the driving pulley
D2 = the driven pulley
C = the center distance

2. Angle of Contact

a. Open belt connection

𝐷2 − 𝐷1
𝜃 = 180 ± 2 sin−1
2𝐶
b. Crossed belt connection
𝐷2 + 𝐷1
𝜃 = 180 + 2 sin−1
2𝐶
Where: D1 = the driving pulley
D2 = the driven pulley
C = the center distance
Θ = the angle of contact

3. Arc of Contact

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Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

𝑆 = 𝑅𝜃
Where: S = the arc of contact
R = the radius of pulley

θ = the angle of contact

4. Effective Belt Pull

𝑒 𝑓𝜃 − 1 12𝜌𝑉 2 𝑒 𝑓𝜃 − 1
𝐹1 − 𝐹2 = 𝐹1 − 𝐹𝑐 ( 𝑓𝜃 ) 𝐹1 − 𝐹2 = 𝑏𝑡 [𝑆 ]
𝑒 𝑔 𝑒 𝑓𝜃

Where: F1 = the force on the tight side

F2 = the force on the slack side
Fc = the centrifugal force
b = the belt width
t = the belt thickness

f = the coefficient of friction

S = the allowable stress
θ = the angle of contact
V = the belt speed
g = the gravitational acceleration
g = 9.81 m/s2 = 32.2 ft/s2

ρ = the density

5. Centrifugal Force

𝑚𝑔𝑉 2 𝑊𝑉 2 12𝜌𝑏𝑡𝑉 2
𝐹𝑐 = = 2 =
𝑟2 𝑟 12

6. Belt Tension Ratio

𝐹1 − 𝐹𝑐
= 𝑒 𝑓𝜃
𝐹2 − 𝐹𝑐

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Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

7. Power Transmitted

𝑃 = (𝐹1 − 𝐹2 )𝑉

8. Belt Speed

𝑉 = 𝜋𝐷𝑛
Where: F1 = the force on the tight side
F2 = the force on the slack side

Fc = the centrifugal force

b = the belt width
t = the belt thickness
r = the radius
m = the mass of the belt
W = the weight of the belt

D = the pulley diameter

n = the rotative speed
P = the power transmitted
f = the coefficient of friction
θ = the angle of contact
V = the belt speed
g = the gravitational acceleration

g = 9.81 m/s2 = 32.2 ft/s2

ρ = the density

Belt joints

1. Cemented joint

2. Laced joint

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Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

3. Hinged joint

Types of flat belt drives

1. Open belt drive

2. Crossed or twist belt drive
3. Quarter turn belt drive
4. Belt drive with idler pulley
5. Compound belt drive
6. Stepped or cone pulley drive
7. Fast and loose pulley drive

V-belts are made of fabric and cords moulded in rubber and covered with fabric and rubber.
The included angle for the V-belt is usually from 30 deg to 40 deg.

Advantages of V-belts over flat belt drives

1. The V-belt drive gives compactness due to the small distance between centers of
pulleys.

2. The drive is positive, because the slip between the belt and the pulley groove is
negligible.
3. Since the V-belts are made endless and therefore the drive is smooth.
4. It provides longer life 3 to 5 years.

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 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

5. It can easily installed and removed.

6. The operation of the belt and pulley is quiet.
7. The belts have the ability to cushion the shock when machines are started.

8. The high velocity ratio (maximum 10) may be obtained.

9. The wedging action of the belt in the groove gives high value of limiting ratio of tension.
10. The V-belt may be operated in either direction with tight side of the belt at the top or
bottom. The center line may be horizontal, vertical, or inclined.
Disadvantages of V-belt over flat belt drive

1. The V-belt drive can not be used with long center distances because of larger weight
per unit length.
2. The V-belts are not so durable as flat belts.
3. The construction of pulleys for V-belts is more complicated than pulleys of flat belts.

4. Since the V-belts are subjected to certain amount of creep, therefore these are not
suitable for constant speed applications such as synchronous machines and timing
devices.
5. The belt life is greatly influenced with temperature changes, improper belt tension
prevents the use of V-belts at speeds below 5 m/s and above 50 m/s.
Circular belt drive is widely used where a large amount of power is to be transmitted, from
one pulley to another, over a considerable distance.
Advantages of circular belt drive

1. They give smooth, steady and quite service.

2. They are little affected by out door conditions.

3. The shafts may be out of strict alignment.

4. The power may be taken off in any direction and in fractional parts of the whole
amount.
5. They give high mechanical efficiency.
Disadvantages of V-belts

1. The belt cannot come out of the grooves.

2. The wedging action permits a smaller arc of contact.
3. Shorter center distances can be used.

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Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

4. The gripping action results in lower belt tension.

5. The drives are quite of high speeds.
6. The drive is capable of absorbing high shock.

7. Standardization results in better initial installation and replacement.

V-belt Formulas

1. Belt tension ratio

𝐹1 − 𝐹𝑐
= 𝑒 𝑓⁄sin 𝛼
𝐹2 − 𝐹𝑐
Where: F1 = the force on the tight side
F2 = the force on the slack side

Fc = the centrifugal force

f = the coefficient of friction
α = the side angle

2. Effective belt pull

𝑒 𝑓𝜃 ⁄sin 𝛼 − 1
𝐹1 − 𝐹2 = 𝐹1 − 𝐹𝑐 ( )
𝑒 𝑓𝜃 ⁄sin 𝛼

Where: F1 = the force on the tight side

F2 = the force on the slack side

Fc = the centrifugal force

f = the coefficient of friction
α = the side angle
θ = the angle of contact

3. Number of belts
𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝐻𝑝
𝑁𝑏 =
𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐻𝑝⁄𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑡

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Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

4. Belt length

a. Open belt

𝜋 (𝐷2 − 𝐷1 )2
𝐿 = (𝐷1 + 𝐷2 ) + 2𝐶 +
2 4𝐶
b. Crossed belt
𝜋 (𝐷 + 𝐷1 )2
𝐿= (𝐷1 + 𝐷2 ) + 2𝐶 + 2
2 4𝐶

Where: L = the belt length

D1 = the driving pulley
D2 = the driven pulley
C = the center distance

5. Angle of Contact

a. Open belt connection

𝐷2 − 𝐷1
𝜃 = 180 ± 2 sin−1 ( )
2𝐶
b. Crossed belt connection
𝐷2 + 𝐷1
𝜃 = 180 + 2 sin−1
2𝐶
Where: θ = the angle of contact
D1 = the driving pulley
D2 = the driven pulley
C = the center distance

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Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

1. Find the angle of contact on the small pulley for a belt drive with a 72 in. center distance.
The pulley diameters are 6 in. and 12 in.
Given: Solution:
D1 = 12 in 𝐷 𝐷
( 21 ) − ( 22 )
D2 = 6 in 𝜃 = 180° ± 2𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 [ ]
C = 72 in 𝐶
12 6
Required: ( 2 ) − ( 2)
θ (Angle of Contact) = ? 𝜃 = 180° ± 2𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 [ ]
72
Considering the negative value:

𝜃 = 175.22°

2. A pulley 610 mm in diameter transmits 40 KW at 500 rpm. The arc of contact between the
belt and pulley is 144°, the coefficient of friction between the belt and pulley is 0.35 and the
safe working stress of the belt is 2.1 MPa. Find the width of the belt used if its thickness is
6.
Given:
D = 610 mm
P = 40 kW
N = rpm

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Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

θ = 144°
f = 0.35
Sw = 2.1 MPa
Required:
b=?
Solution:
𝑃 = 2π𝑇𝑁 𝐹1 𝜋
500 = 𝑒 (0.35)(144 𝑥 180 )
𝐹2
40 = 2πT ( )
60 𝐹1
𝑇 = 0.763944 𝐾𝑁 − 𝑚 = 2.41
𝐹2
𝐹1
𝐹2 = 2.41 (Substitute the value of F2 to Eq.1)
𝑇 = (𝐹1 − 𝐹2 )𝑟
0.610
0.763944 = (𝐹1 − 𝐹2 ) ( ) 𝐹1
2 𝐹1 − = 2505
𝐹1 − 𝐹2 = 2.505 𝐾𝑁 2.41
𝐹1 − 𝐹2 = 2505 𝑁 (Eq. 1) 𝐹1 = 4282 𝑁

𝐹1 F1
= 𝑒 𝑓𝜃 Sw =
𝐹2 bt
4282
2,100,000 =
b(0.006)
𝑏 = 0.34 𝑚
𝑏 = 340 𝑚𝑚

1
3. A 4 in. flat leather belt with a specific weight of 0.035 lb/in 3 is 6 in. wide. The driving pulley is
6 in. diameter and the driven pulley is 6 in. diameter. The center distance between pulleys
is 56 in. The driving pulleys rotate 1800 rpm. The coefficient of friction is 0.3 for the driving
pulley and 0.4 for the driven pulley. The allowable belt pull is 450 lbs. Find the belt capacity
in horsepower.
Given:
1
t = 4 in= 0.25 in
ρ = 0.035 lb/in3
b = 6 in
D2 = 6 in
N2 = 1800 rpm
D1 = 18 in
C = 56 in
Belt Pull = 450 lbs.
Required:
Belt capacity in HP = ?
Solution:
Let:

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Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

θs = arc of contact for small pulleys

θb = arc of contact for big pulleys
𝐷 𝐷 18 6
( 21 ) − ( 22 ) ( 2 ) − ( 2)
𝜃𝑠 = 180° − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 [ ] = 180° − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 [ ]
𝐶 56
𝜃𝑠 = 167.7°
𝐷 𝐷 18 6
( 21 ) − ( 22 ) ( 2 ) − ( 2)
−1 −1
𝜃𝑏 = 180° + 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 [ ] = 180° + 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 [ ]
𝐶 56
𝜃𝑏 = 192.3°
𝜋
𝑓𝜃 = 0.3 (167.7) ( )
180
𝑓𝜃 = 0.878 driving pulley
𝜋
𝑓𝜃 = 0.4 (192.3) ( )
180
𝑓𝜃 = 1.342 driven

Thus, the belt will slip first on the smaller pulley : so the computation must be based on smaller
pulley.
6
𝑉 = 𝜋𝐷𝑁 = 𝜋 ( ) (1800)
12
𝑉 = 2827.43 𝑓𝑡/𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑉 = 47.12 𝑓𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝐹1 = 𝑆𝑏𝑡
𝐹 450
𝑆= =
𝑏𝑡 6(0.25)
𝑆 = 300

𝜌𝑉𝑠 2 𝑒 𝑓𝜃 − 1
𝐹1 − 𝐹2 = 𝑏𝑡 (𝑆 − ) ( 𝑓𝜃 )
2.68 𝑒
(0.035)(47.12)2 𝑒 0.878 − 1
𝐹1 − 𝐹2 = 6(0.25) [300 − ] [ 0.878 ]
2.68 𝑒
𝐹1 − 𝐹2 = 237.57 𝑙𝑏𝑠
(𝐹1 − 𝐹2 )𝑉
𝐻𝑃 =
33,000
(237.57) (2827.43 )
𝐻𝑃 =
33,000
𝐻𝑃 = 20.35 𝐻𝑃

4. A slurry pump is to be driven by a 50 HP, 2400 rpm diesel engine and operating under
moderate shock load with service factor of 1.20. The pump will operate at 800 rpm and

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Machine Design 2

using type B V belt. The available small sheave diameter is 5.4 in. and having a factor of
1.14. The arc of contact factor is 0.89 and the length of belt factor is 0.97. Find the no. of
belts used.
Given:
Transmitted HP = 50 HP
N = 2400 rpm
Nsf = 1.20
D = 5.4 in
k d = 1.14
k θ = 0.89
k = 0.97
Required:
Nb = ?
Solution:
𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝐻𝑃 = 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃 × 𝑁𝑠𝑓
𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝐻𝑃 = 50 × 1.20
𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝐻𝑃 = 60 𝐻𝑃

0.09
103 𝑐 𝑉𝑚 2 𝑉𝑚
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃 = [𝑎 ( ) − − 𝜀 ( 6 )] 3
𝑉𝑚 𝐾𝑑 𝐷1 10 10
0.09
103 13.962 𝑉𝑚 2 𝑉𝑚
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃 = [4.737 ( ) − 0.0234 ( 6 )] 3
𝑉𝑚 𝐾𝑑 𝐷1 10 10

Where:
𝑉𝑚 = 𝜋𝐷𝑁
5.4
𝑉𝑚 = 𝜋 ( ) (2400)
12
𝑉𝑚 = 3393𝑓𝑡/𝑚𝑖𝑛
0.09
103 13.962 (3393)2 3393
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃 = [4.737 ( ) − – 0.0234 ( )]
3393 (1.14)(5.4) 106 103
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃 = 5.792 𝐻𝑃

𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃 = 𝐾𝜃 𝐾𝐿 (𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃)

𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃 = (0.89)(0.97)(5.792)
𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃 = 5 𝐻𝑃

𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝐻𝑃
𝑁𝑏 =
𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑃
60
𝑁𝑏 =
5
𝑁𝑏 = 12 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑠

Belts 30
 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

DEFINITION OF TERMS

A
Abrasion - Wearing away by rubbing, scraping. The established abrasion tests, for instance
as per ISO 4649, have no practical relevance. The abrasion value alone is no indicator of a
belt's wear resistance.
Adhesion The bonding strength between two materials.
Ageing - The exposure to an environment for a period of time.
Aramid - Stands for aromatic polyamide; a low elongation fiber.
Arc of contact - The circumferential portion of a pulley which is engaged by a belt.

B
Belt clamp - Beams or metal plates secured transversely to hold the belt in a desired position.
Belt cleaning device - A scraper or rotating device pressed against the belt surface to remove
material stuck to the belt.
Belt fastener - A device for holding two ends of a conveyor belt together.
Belt modulus - The force per unit width of belt required to produce a stated percentage of
elongation. See "Modulus of elasticity".

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 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

Belt sag - The amount of vertical deflection of a conveyor belt from a straight line between
idlers, usually expressed as a percentage of the center to center spacing of the idlers.
Belt slip - The speed differential between the belt and the pulley surface.
Belt training idler - An idler having a belt-actuated swivel mechanism to automatically control
side drifting of a conveyor belt.
Belt turnover - A system of idlers to turn a belt over (upside down).

Bending modulus - The force required to induce bending around a specified radius and,
hence, a measure of stiffness.
Bend pulley - A pulley used to change the direction of a belt.
Bleeding - Migration to the surface of plasticizer, waxes or similar materials to form a film or
beads.
Blister - A raised spot on the surface or a separation between layers usually forming a void or
air-filled space in the vulcanized conveyor belt.
Breaker - An extra ply for shock absorption to minimize gouging.
Breaking strength - The breaking strength of the conveyor belt, either nominal/minimum (e.g.
St 2000) or ultimate/actual (e.g. 2197 N/mm).

C
Calender - A machine equipped with three or more heavy drums revolving in opposite
directions.
Capacity - The material load on the belt, given in tons per hour (t/h).
Clamping force - Depending on the friction factor of clamp and belt surfaces and on the
(downhill) force. Chart.
Cleaner - A device for removing adherent material from the belt.
Cold resistance - Usually, conveyor belts are resistant to up to -30°C. Lower temperatures
may be achieved with special compounds. Constant movement of the belt may be required.
Compression set - The deformation in a material remaining after it has been subjected to and
released from a compressive force.

Belts 32
 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

Degradation - A deleterious change in the chemical structure of a material.

Density - The ratio of the mass of a body to its volume or the mass per unit volume of the
substance. For ordinary practical purposes, density and specific gravity may be regarded as
equivalent.
Dipped fabric - Coated with rubber compound by passing through a rubber solution and
drying.

E
Electrical conductivity - A measure of how well a material accommodates the transport of
electric charge, measured in Ohm (Ω).
Elongation - The total belt elongation consists of an elastic (which recovers) and a plastic
(which remains) portion. As per ISO 9856 a belt sample is subjected to a sinusoidal cyclic
stress that varies from 2 to 10 % of the belt's nominal breaking strength. Equations. 2 - 10 %,
because this is a typical operating range for textile conveyor belts. After 200 cycles, the
amount of permanent elongation of the test piece and the amount of elastic elongation
produced by the force differential are recorded from a force-elongation graph. Typical
permanent elongation values: Polyamide (P): 1,0-2,5%, Polyester (E): 0,5-1,5%, Aramide (D):
0,25-0,75%, Steel: 0,1-0,25%.
Elongation at break - The percentage the rubber or belt can be stretched until it breaks.
Extrusion - A process whereby rubber is forced through a shaping orifice.
Eytelwein's equation - Determines the optimum difference between the forces F1 and F2
without belt slip.

F
Fatigue - The weakening of a material occurring when repeated application of stress causes
permanent strain.
Feeder belt - A belt that discharges material onto another conveyor belt. Often used for belts
extracting bulk materials from under a dump hopper or regulating feed to a crusher or screen.
Friction - The resistance to tangential motion between two surfaces. For rubber, the classical
laws of friction are not applicable, since rubber has no rigid surface. The individual friction
factor must be determined experimentally. In general, higher hardness and abrasion resistance
result in lower friction.

Belts 33
 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

G
Gauge - The thickness of a belt or its individual elements.
Gouging - The effect of sharp heavy material falling onto a conveyor belt cover to loosen or
tear out pieces of the cover.
Gravity take-up - A mechanical system that adjusts for the stretch or shrinking of a conveyor
belt automatically by a weighted pulley in the system.

I
Idler - A non-powered roller supporting the belt.
Impact - A stroke of a body dropping on the belt.
Impact idler - A belt idler having a resilient roll covering, resilient molded elastomer rings,
springs or other means of absorbing impact energy at the place where material falls onto the
belt.
Impact resistance - The relative ability of a conveyor belt assembly to absorb impact loading.

M
Maximum tension - The highest tension occurring in any portion of the belt under operating
conditions.
Mechanical fastener - Any mechanical device used to join the ends of belting.
Moulded edge - A solid rubber belt edge formed in a mould. Another option are cut edges.
The technical differences are small.
Mullins effect - A particular aspect of the mechanical response in filled rubbers in which the
stress-strain curve depends on the maximum load encountered. The phenomenon can be
idealized as an instantaneous and irreversible softening of the stress-strain curve that occurs
whenever the load increases beyond its prior all-time maximum value. At times, when the load
is less than a prior maximum, nonlinear elastic behavior prevails.

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 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

Payne effect - Is observed under cyclic loading conditions with small strain amplitudes, and is
manifest as a dependence of the viscoelastic storage modulus on the amplitude of the applied
strain.
Permeability - Usually the quality or condition of allowing passage of air through a steel cord
to identify the degree of rubberization.
Plastisol - A suspension of a finely divided polymer (PVC) in a plasticizer.
Ply - A layer of fabric in a belt.
Polyamide - High-elongation fiber, normally used for the belt's weft for good troughability. As
warp recommended only for specific applications because of its plastic elongation behavior.
Polyester - Low-elongation fiber, normally used as belt warp.

R
Rating - The minimum belt breaking strength (DIN) of a belt in Newtons per millimeter of belt
Regenerative conveyor - A conveyor for which the head is at a substantially lower altitude
than the tail (downhill conveying), generating power.
Return idler - Part of a conveyor's return run.

Rheometer - A device to measure the shear stress of rubber under the influence of
temperature and pressure under a twisting cone.
Rip detection - A system detecting a lengthwise damage of the conveyor belt. Most common
are sensor loops embedded in the belt's cover at a certain spacing. See here. Also other
external - mechanical or optical - systems can be used.
Rip protection - A system to prevent the intrusion of foreign bodies into the belt and its
subsequent slitting. This may be done by a simple breaker (a fabric ply) or sophisticated
systems like single synthetic transverse cords.
Rolling resistance - Also called indentation rolling resistance. The resistance by deformation
that occurs when the conveyor belt moves over an idler. The energy of deformation is greater
than the energy of recovery. The hysteresis energy loss is depending on the viscoelastic
properties of the belt.

S
Shuttle conveyor - A belt conveyor having over end discharge, the whole being mounted on a
travelling carriage capable of being shuttled backwards and forwards.

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 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

Skim coat - A layer of rubber material laid on a fabric but not forced into the weave. Normally
laid on a frictioned fabric.
Skiver - Grinding equipment to bevel belt ends for an overlap splice. There are sanding belt,
drum and disk skivers in use.
Slab belting - Belting made in wide widths and long lengths for later slitting into narrower
widths and cutting into shorter lengths.
Slope belt - A conveyor belt used to carry material along an inclined flight. Sometimes called
drift conveyor.
Snub pulley - A non-driven pulley located close to the drive pulley to provide a greater arc of
Straight warp - Made of high tenacy polyester fibres for the warp and weft polyamide yarns,
both held together by a polyamide composite yarn.

T
Tail pulley - The pulley near the loading end of the conveyor system.
Take-up pulley - A pulley which can move in space in order to maintain relatively constant
tension.
Tensile member - The fabric, cord and/or metal reinforcing section of a belt, as distinguished
from the rubber cover.
Tensile strength - The usual term for the rubber's ultimate tensile strength, i.e. the maximum
stress that the rubber can withstand while being stretched (MPa).
Tension - Stress on the belt tending to cause extension.
Training idler - An idler mounted on a mechanical device, actuated by the belt moving against
it to make the belt run straight.
Transition distance - The distance between the last fully troughed idler and the flat driving or
discharge pulley.
Tripper - A device for discharging material from a belt.
TT drive - A belt-to-belt booster drive to reduce belt tension. Originally from the German term
"Treib-Traggurt".

Belts 36
 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Machine Design 2

Viscoelasticity - The property of materials that exhibit both viscous and elastic characteristics
when being deformed. Viscoelasticity is the result of the diffusion of atoms or molecules inside
of an amorphous material.
Viscosity - The resistance of a material to flow under stress. The higher the viscosity, the
thicker the material.

W
Wear resistance - A combination of abrasion and cut resistance. New test methods have
been developed recently by ITA Germany.
Working tension - Used in the USA to determine the belt rating (piw). It is up to the belt
manufacturer to decide on the real belt breaking strength.

****

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