Conveyor Belt Selection Fundamentals
Conveyor belts are a critical investment in any mining or aggregate operation, representing a significant portion of both capital and operating costs. Selecting the right belt specification — carcass type, cover compounds, width and splice configuration — directly impacts belt life, maintenance requirements and overall operating cost.
Key Selection Parameters
1. Material Characteristics
- Bulk density: Weight per cubic meter of material
- Maximum lump size: Determines minimum belt width
- Abrasiveness: Determines cover compound selection
- Moisture content: Affects belt cleaning and angle of inclination
- Temperature: Hot materials may require special covers
- Chemical properties: Determines rubber compound compatibility
2. Capacity and Speed
- Design capacity in tons per hour (t/h)
- Desired belt speed (typically 1-5 m/s for mining applications)
- Belt width determined by capacity and lump size requirements
3. Conveyor Geometry
- Conveyor length and lift height
- Angle of inclination (typically max 15-20° for most materials)
- Number and type of transitions (horizontal curves, vertical curves)
- Loading conditions (centers, impact bars)
Belt Carcass Types
Fabric Carcass Belts:
Fabric belts use woven textile fabric plies as the load-carrying member. Common fabric belt types:
NN (Nylon-Nylon) Belts:
- High flexibility and impact resistance
- Good for sharp, heavy materials
- Suitable for troughed and flat conveyors
- Lower cost option
EP (Polyester-Nylon) Belts:
- Lower stretch than NN belts
- Better dimensional stability
- Good for long conveyors
- Excellent troughability
Steel Cord Belts:
- Highest strength rating (ST belts up to 5000 kN/m)
- Very low elongation — ideal for long conveyors
- Withstands high start-up tensions
- Required for high-capacity or long-distance conveyors
- Higher capital cost but lower operating cost
Conveyor Belt Selection for Mining Applications
Cover Compound Selection
General Purpose (Grade M):
- Standard abrasion-resistant rubber
- Suitable for most mineral and aggregate applications
- Cost-effective choice for non-specialized materials
Heavy Abrasion (Grade H):
- Higher abrasion resistance for highly abrasive materials
- Extended belt life in high-wear applications
- Common for granite, basalt, iron ore
Heat Resistant (Grade HR):
- For materials up to 150-180°C
- Coke, sinter, clinker applications
- Special compound formulation prevents cover cracking
Oil Resistant (Grade OR):
- For materials containing oil or grease
- Wood chips, pellets,某些矿石
- Prevents swelling and degradation
Belt Width and Speed Selection
Belt width must accommodate the largest lump size while maintaining adequate carrying capacity. General guidelines:
- Lump size < 1/3 belt width: No special requirements
- Lump size 1/3 to 1/2 belt width: Use loading chutes carefully
- Lump size > 1/2 belt width: Special loading design required
Belt speed selection balances capacity, belt life and material degradation. Lower speeds reduce impact and degradation but require wider belts. Higher speeds allow narrower belts but increase wear and noise.
Specification Summary
When requesting a conveyor belt quote or specifying for a project, include:
- Maximum capacity (t/h) and design capacity
- Belt width and speed
- Carcass type and number of plies (or steel cord rating)
- Cover grade (M, H, HR, OR) and thickness
- Maximum lump size and material characteristics
- Conveyor length and elevation change
- Operating conditions (hours per day, temperature, etc.)
WSHT supplies complete conveyor systems including belts, pulleys, idlers and accessories, with technical support for proper belt selection and installation.
