T5 Timing Belts (5mm Metric Trapezoidal)
T5 timing belts are metric trapezoidal synchronous belts with a 5mm pitch, widely used in European-manufactured equipment, linear motion systems, textile machinery, and precision automation. The T-profile (sometimes called "T-series" or "metric trapezoidal") was developed in Europe and is the standard tooth form on equipment from German, Italian, Swiss, and Scandinavian OEMs. Texas Belting stocks T5 timing belts in neoprene and urethane constructions with fiberglass, steel cord, and Kevlar tensile cord options.
Pitch: 5mm | Tooth height: 1.2mm | Profile: Trapezoidal (metric, straight-sided)
Standard widths: 6, 10, 16, 25, 32, 50mm
Part number format: T5-[pitch length in mm]-[width in mm] | Example: T5-450-16 = T5 profile, 450mm pitch length, 16mm wide
Material: Neoprene (standard) or urethane (FDA, steel cord, open-end)
T5 Is NOT the Same as 5M
This is the single most important thing to know about T5 timing belts. T5 and 5M (HTD) both have a 5mm pitch, but they use completely different tooth shapes and completely different pulleys. Mixing them causes premature wear, tooth shear, and belt failure.
| Factor | T5 (Metric Trapezoidal) | 5M (HTD Curvilinear) |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | 5mm | 5mm |
| Tooth shape | Trapezoidal (straight, angled sides) | Curvilinear (rounded, semi-circular) |
| Tooth height | 1.2mm | 2.06mm (significantly taller) |
| Load capacity per tooth | Lower (trapezoidal stress concentration at root) | Higher (curvilinear distributes stress evenly) |
| Pulleys | T5 pulleys only | 5M HTD pulleys only |
| Interchangeable? | NO. Different tooth shape. Different pulleys. Will not mesh correctly. | |
| Origin | European standard (DIN) | North American/global standard (RMA/ISO) |
| Common on | European OEM equipment (German, Italian, Swiss) | North American and global industrial equipment |
| Urethane/open-end | Widely available. Standard for linear motion. | Available but less common in open-end. |
T5 Timing Belt Part Number Decoder
| Part Number | Pitch Length | Width | Teeth | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T5-200-10 | 200mm | 10mm | 40 | Neoprene, fiberglass cord |
| T5-390-16 | 390mm | 16mm | 78 | Neoprene, fiberglass cord |
| T5-450-25 | 450mm | 25mm | 90 | Neoprene, fiberglass cord |
| T5-600-16 | 600mm | 16mm | 120 | Neoprene, fiberglass cord |
| T5-25 (open-end) | Per cut length | 25mm | Per length | Urethane, steel cord |
How to calculate teeth: Divide pitch length by 5. Example: 450 / 5 = 90 teeth. Open-end T5 belts are sold by the meter or foot and cut to length, then joined with a mechanical splice or welded connection. Some manufacturers reverse the order or omit the "T5" prefix, listing it as 450-T5-16. See our Pitch Chart for all format variations.
T5 Timing Belt Width Guide
| Width | Typical Applications |
|---|---|
| 6mm | Miniature European drives, instruments, small printers |
| 10mm | Light-duty European OEM equipment, textile drives, small automation |
| 16mm | Most popular T5 width. General European industrial, linear motion, packaging |
| 25mm | Medium duty. Larger European conveyors, machine tools, linear actuators |
| 32mm | Heavy-duty T5 applications approaching the lower range of T10 |
| 50mm | Maximum T5 width. Heaviest T5 loads. Consider T10 if more capacity needed. |
T5 vs. AT5: What Is the Difference?
AT5 is a modified version of the T5 profile with a slightly different tooth geometry designed for higher load capacity and improved engagement. AT5 was developed to address the tooth stress concentration limitations of the standard T5 profile while maintaining compatibility with the same pitch and width dimensions.
| Factor | T5 (Standard) | AT5 (Modified) |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth shape | Standard trapezoidal | Modified trapezoidal (wider tooth base, reduced stress) |
| Load capacity | Standard | Higher (improved tooth root strength) |
| Pulley compatibility | T5 pulleys | AT5 pulleys (NOT compatible with standard T5 pulleys) |
| Availability | Widely available | Less common. Specialty order for some sizes. |
| When to choose | Replacing existing T5. Standard European OEM equipment. | New designs requiring higher load at 5mm pitch. European automation. |
T5 for Linear Motion and Positioning
T5 is one of the most popular profiles for linear motion applications. Open-end urethane T5 belts with steel tensile cord provide the near-zero stretch that linear actuators, gantry systems, and pick-and-place machines require for repeatable positioning.
- Open-end urethane T5 with steel cord is the standard for linear motion. Cut to any length and joined with a mechanical connector or welded splice.
- Steel cord provides 0.02% elongation under load, ensuring that the carriage position corresponds exactly to the motor shaft rotation without drift.
- T5 at 16mm or 25mm width handles most linear motion loads. For heavier gantry systems, step up to T10 (10mm pitch) or AT10.
- Urethane body resists oils, chemicals, moisture, and particulate contamination common in manufacturing environments.
For a complete overview of timing belt materials for precision and food applications, see Urethane Timing Belts.
Common T5 Timing Belt Applications
| Application | Why T5 | Typical Width | Typical Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| European OEM equipment (replacement) | Original equipment specified T5. Must match existing pulleys. | 10, 16, 25mm | Neoprene |
| Linear motion and actuators | Open-end with steel cord for precision positioning | 16, 25mm | Urethane, steel cord |
| Textile machinery | European textile equipment standard. Multiple drives per machine. | 10, 16mm | Neoprene |
| Packaging and labeling | Precise registration. Compact drives. | 10, 16mm | Urethane (steel cord for registration) |
| Food processing (European equipment) | FDA urethane replacement for neoprene T5 on food machinery | 16, 25mm | Urethane (FDA) |
| Printing and paper handling | Precise web registration. Smooth, quiet operation. | 10, 16mm | Neoprene |
| CNC and small machine tools | European CNC equipment. Compact drive layout. | 16, 25, 32mm | Neoprene or urethane |
| Medical and laboratory equipment | Precision positioning. Clean operation. Low noise. | 6, 10mm | Urethane, steel cord |
| Conveyor indexing (light duty) | Precise product spacing on compact European conveyor systems | 16, 25mm | Neoprene or urethane |
T5 Timing Belt Materials
Neoprene (standard): Neoprene body with fiberglass tensile cord. Standard construction for closed-loop T5 belts. Temperature range -30°F to 185°F. Available from Gates, Continental, Diesel Belting, and other manufacturers.
Urethane with steel cord: The standard for linear motion and precision applications. Near-zero stretch. Available in closed-loop and open-end (cut to length). FDA-compliant compounds available for food processing.
Urethane with Kevlar cord: For applications requiring high flex life with low stretch. Better fatigue resistance than steel cord around small pulleys.
Open-end: Urethane T5 belts are available in open-end rolls (typically sold by the meter). Cut and joined to any required length. This is the standard format for linear motion drives and custom center distance applications. Open-end neoprene T5 is not available.
T5 Timing Belt Brands We Carry
Texas Belting stocks and sources T5 timing belts from the following manufacturers. We can cross-reference part numbers between brands to find the correct belt for your application.
| Brand | T5 Product Lines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gates | PowerGrip T5 | Neoprene and polyurethane T5 belts |
| Continental / ContiTech | Synchroflex, Synchroforce T5 | Industry-leading European T-profile range, polyurethane and neoprene |
| Bando | Bando T5 | High-quality Japanese manufacturing |
| Diesel Belting | Diesel T5 | Cost-effective replacement option for standard T5 drives |
| Megadyne | Megalinear T5 | Polyurethane open-end and closed-loop, strong linear motion range |
Not sure which brand to specify? Request a quote or call 888-203-2358.
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