Continental / ContiTech Timing Belts
Continental AG is a German-engineered, global manufacturer of industrial power transmission products. ContiTech is the industrial division of Continental responsible for timing belts, V-belts, conveyor belts, and hose products. Continental / ContiTech timing belts are specified by OEMs worldwide and are particularly strong in European-designed equipment, urethane/polyurethane applications, and metric profile families. Texas Belting stocks Continental timing belts, Synchroflex urethane belts, and Blackhawk timing belt sprockets for same-day shipping from Houston.
Synchrobelt: HTD curvilinear in 3M, 5M, 8M, 14M (neoprene, standard)
Synchroforce CXP / CXA: High-performance HTD with HNBR compound (wider temp range, higher load)
Synchroflex: Open-end polyurethane with steel cord in T5, T10, AT5, AT10, AT20
Trapezoidal: MXL, XL, L, H, XH, XXH (neoprene)
Blackhawk: Timing belt sprockets / pulleys in HTD and trapezoidal profiles
Automotive OE: Continental OE timing belts (5-digit part numbers, e.g., 40018, 40303)
Continental and ContiTech: The Relationship
Buyers often see "Continental" and "ContiTech" used interchangeably and wonder which name to search for. Here is how they relate:
| Name | Role | What You See |
|---|---|---|
| Continental AG | Parent company. German multinational. Manufactures automotive and industrial products globally. | Brand name on packaging, catalogs, and part numbers. |
| ContiTech | Industrial division of Continental. Responsible for belts, hose, and rubber products for industrial markets. | Product line names (Synchrobelt, Synchroforce, Synchroflex). Technical documentation. |
A belt labeled "Continental Synchrobelt" and one labeled "ContiTech Synchrobelt" are the same product. Texas Belting carries both Continental and ContiTech branded products depending on the product line and inventory source.
Continental Timing Belt Product Lines
Synchrobelt (Standard HTD Curvilinear)
Synchrobelt is Continental's standard HTD timing belt line. Neoprene body with fiberglass cord and nylon tooth facing. Direct dimensional replacement for Gates PowerGrip HTD, Bando, Diesel Belting, and Megadyne Isoran at the same part numbers.
| Pitch | Continental Line | Gates Equivalent | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3M | Synchrobelt 3M | PowerGrip HTD 3M | View |
| 5M | Synchrobelt 5M | PowerGrip HTD 5M | View |
| 8M | Synchrobelt 8M | PowerGrip HTD 8M | View |
| 14M | Synchrobelt 14M | PowerGrip HTD 14M | View |
Synchroforce CXP and CXA (High-Performance HTD)
Synchroforce is Continental's premium timing belt line for demanding applications. CXP uses HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile) compound instead of standard neoprene, providing a wider operating temperature range (-40F to 250F vs. -30F to 185F for neoprene), improved chemical resistance, and higher load capacity. CXA is the aramid-cord version for applications requiring maximum flex life.
| Product | Body Material | Cord | Temp Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchrobelt (standard) | Neoprene | Fiberglass | -30F to 185F | General industrial replacement |
| Synchroforce CXP | HNBR | Fiberglass | -40F to 250F | High temp, chemical exposure, heavy loads |
| Synchroforce CXA | HNBR | Aramid (Kevlar) | -40F to 250F | High temp + maximum flex life, small pulleys |
Synchroflex (Open-End Polyurethane)
Synchroflex is Continental's open-end polyurethane timing belt line with steel tensile cord. Synchroflex is the direct competitor to Megadyne Megalinear and is widely specified for linear motion, European automation, and CNC gantry systems.
| Profile | Synchroflex Product | Cord | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| T5 | Synchroflex T5 | Steel | Light-medium linear motion, European OEM |
| T10 | Synchroflex T10 | Steel | Heavy linear motion, large gantry systems |
| AT5 | Synchroflex AT5 | Steel | Heavy European automation, modified trapezoidal |
| AT10 | Synchroflex AT10 | Steel | Heavy gantry, CNC routers, waterjet tables |
| AT20 | Synchroflex AT20 | Steel | Heaviest gantry, mining, material handling |
Synchroflex features: Polyurethane body for chemical, oil, and moisture resistance. Steel tensile cord with 0.02% elongation for precision positioning. Sold by the meter, cut to any required length. FDA-compliant urethane compounds available for food processing applications. Welded endless or clamp-on end joining.
Imperial Trapezoidal
Continental manufactures the full range of imperial trapezoidal profiles (MXL, XL, L, H, XH, XXH) in neoprene with fiberglass cord. Same dimensions and part numbers as Gates, Bando, Diesel Belting, and all other manufacturers.
Blackhawk Timing Belt Sprockets
Continental manufactures Blackhawk timing belt sprockets (pulleys) in HTD and trapezoidal profiles. Texas Belting stocks Blackhawk sprockets alongside Continental timing belts so you can source both the belt and pulley from a single order.
Continental 5-Digit Part Numbers
Continental uses 5-digit part numbers (e.g., 40018, 40303, 40329) for many of their timing belts, particularly those originally developed for automotive and light industrial OEM applications. These part numbers are Continental-specific and do not follow the standard pitch-length-width format used by Gates and other manufacturers.
If you have a Continental 5-digit part number, Texas Belting can decode it and confirm the correct profile, pitch, length, and width. We can also cross-reference it to equivalent belts from other manufacturers if needed. Call 888-203-2358 with the part number.
Cross-Reference: Continental to Gates, Megadyne, and Others
| Continental Part | Gates Equivalent | Megadyne Equivalent | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synchrobelt 535-5M-25 | 535-5M-25 (PowerGrip HTD) | Isoran 535-5M-25 | 5M |
| Synchrobelt 640-8M-30 | 640-8M-30 (PowerGrip HTD) | Isoran 640-8M-30 | 8M |
| Synchroforce CXP 640-8M-30 | 640-8MGT-30 (GT3, comparable) | Isoran RPP 640-8M-30 | 8M (premium) |
| Synchroflex AT10 (open-end) | N/A | Megalinear AT10 | AT10 |
| Synchroflex T5 (open-end) | N/A | Megalinear T5 | T5 |
| Continental 300L075 | 300L075 (PowerGrip) | 300L075 | L |
Why Choose Continental / ContiTech
- German engineering with global manufacturing. Continental designs in Germany with production facilities worldwide. Consistent quality across all product lines.
- Synchroforce CXP for extreme environments. HNBR compound handles temperatures up to 250F and resists oils and chemicals that destroy neoprene. No other timing belt manufacturer offers a more widely available HNBR timing belt line.
- Synchroflex for precision urethane. One of the two major global sources (alongside Megadyne Megalinear) for open-end polyurethane timing belts with steel cord for linear motion and European automation.
- Blackhawk sprockets match the belts. Source both the timing belt and the matching sprocket from Continental in a single order.
- OEM specification. Continental timing belts are specified by major European and global OEMs. Replacement with the same brand ensures exact dimensional and performance match.
- Full profile coverage. HTD, trapezoidal, T-profile, AT-profile, and urethane all from a single manufacturer.
Or call 888-203-2358. We decode Continental 5-digit part numbers and cross-reference to all brands.
Related Pages
Continental / ContiTech Timing Belt FAQs
Continental AG is the parent company. ContiTech is Continental's industrial division responsible for belts, hose, and rubber products. A belt labeled "Continental" and one labeled "ContiTech" at the same part number are the same product from the same manufacturer.
Yes, for all standard HTD and trapezoidal profiles. Continental Synchrobelt uses the same RMA/ISO dimensional standards as Gates PowerGrip HTD. A Continental 535-5M-25 is a direct drop-in for a Gates 535-5M-25. Continental Synchroforce CXP is comparable in concept to Gates GT3 but uses a different approach (HNBR compound vs. modified tooth geometry).
Synchroforce CXP is Continental's premium timing belt using HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile) compound instead of standard neoprene. HNBR provides a wider operating temperature range (-40F to 250F), improved oil and chemical resistance, and higher load capacity. CXP fits the same pulleys as standard Synchrobelt HTD. Available in 8M and 14M.
Synchroflex is Continental's open-end polyurethane timing belt line with steel tensile cord. Used for linear motion, CNC gantry systems, and European automation. Available in T5, T10, AT5, AT10, and AT20 profiles. Sold by the meter, cut to any length. FDA compounds available.
Continental uses 5-digit part numbers (e.g., 40018, 40303) for timing belts originally developed for automotive and light industrial OEM applications. These are Continental-specific numbers that do not follow the standard pitch-length-width format. Texas Belting can decode any Continental 5-digit part number. Call 888-203-2358.
Yes. Texas Belting stocks Continental Synchrobelt HTD timing belts, Synchroflex urethane belts, and Blackhawk timing belt sprockets for same-day shipping from Houston. We also source Synchroforce CXP and specialty sizes on short lead time. Call 888-203-2358 or request a quote online.
