Urethane Timing Belts

Urethane (polyurethane) timing belts are the preferred choice when standard neoprene belts cannot meet the demands of the application. Polyurethane construction provides superior chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, very low particulate generation, and suitability for cleanroom, food-contact, pharmaceutical, and washdown environments. Texas Belting stocks urethane timing belts across all major profiles and pitches for same-day shipping from Houston.

Urethane timing belts are available with steel wire or Kevlar (aramid) tensile cords and come in both closed-loop and open-end (continuous roll) configurations. Open-end urethane belts can be cut to any length and joined with mechanical connectors or welded splices, making them the standard for linear motion, custom center distance drives, and applications where standard closed-loop lengths are not available.

Why Choose Urethane Over Neoprene?

Standard timing belts use neoprene (rubber) bodies with fiberglass tensile cords. Neoprene works well for general industrial drives, but urethane outperforms neoprene in several key areas.

Choose urethane when the application requires food-grade compliance, chemical resistance, low particulate generation, open-end/custom lengths, or steel cord for near-zero stretch positioning. Choose neoprene for general industrial drives where none of these requirements apply and cost is a primary concern.

Urethane Timing Belt Profiles and Pitches

Urethane timing belts are manufactured in nearly every standard profile and pitch. The table below shows common profiles available in urethane construction.

T-profile and AT-profile belts are the most commonly requested urethane profiles because the European T/AT system was designed around polyurethane construction from the start. HTD and ANSI profiles are also widely available in urethane for applications that require upgrading from neoprene.

Steel Cord vs. Kevlar Cord

The tensile cord determines the belt's stretch characteristics, flex life, and suitability for specific drive types. Urethane timing belts are available with two primary cord materials.

Rule of thumb: Use steel cord for linear motion, positioning, and any application where near-zero stretch is critical. Use Kevlar cord for rotary drives with small pulleys where the belt must flex tightly and achieve long flex life.

Open-End vs. Closed-Loop Urethane Belts

Open-End (Continuous Roll)

Open-end urethane timing belts are sold in roll stock and cut to the exact length required. They are joined into a loop using mechanical connectors (finger splices, pin connectors) or heat welding. Open-end belts are the standard format for linear motion, custom center distance drives, and applications where standard closed-loop sizes are not available. See Open-End Timing Belts for more details.

Closed-Loop (Welded Endless)

Closed-loop urethane timing belts are manufactured as a continuous loop with a welded joint. They are specified by pitch length, profile, and width just like neoprene belts. Closed-loop urethane belts are used where a specific belt length is required and the joint quality of a factory weld is preferred over a field splice.

Common Urethane Timing Belt Applications

For food-grade specific options across all profiles, see Food Grade Timing Belts. For application-specific guidance, see Timing Belts for Food Processing and Timing Belts for Linear Motion.

Urethane Timing Belt Brands We Carry

Texas Belting stocks and sources urethane timing belts from the following manufacturers. We can cross-reference part numbers and recommend the best urethane belt for your application.

Not sure which brand or material to specify? Request a quote or call 888-203-2358. We will recommend the right urethane belt for your application.

Urethane Timing Belt FAQs