MATO Belt Fastener Selection Guide
MATO Belt Fastener Selection Guide
Texas Belting is an authorized MATO distributor stocking the full line in Houston, TX. If you already know your belt thickness and pulley diameter, call 888-203-2358 and we will identify the exact fastener, hinge pin, and rivet combination in one call. This guide is the self-service version for engineers, maintenance managers, and purchasing teams who want to confirm the selection themselves before ordering.
The Four Selection Inputs
- Thin light-duty belt, small pulley: Steelgrip (size by thickness).
- Packaging, baggage, parcel, warehouse conveyor: EasyClip EC62, EC125, or EC187.
- Food processing or wash-down: stainless EasyClip or stainless Steelgrip.
- Grain, flour, or non-sparking: Copper Rivet.
- Medium-duty rubber belt, small to mid pulley: Riv-Nail R-2, R-3, or TR-4.
- Portable conveyor with frequent belt changes: Hinged Plategrip X375 or X550.
- Heavy-duty mining, aggregate, or quarry belt: Riv-Nail R-5, R-5-1/2, R-6, or RC-8 in Durgard.
- Long-life bolt-type splice on large pulleys: Plategrip 140, 190, or larger.
Understanding the Four Selection Inputs
1. Belt thickness
Measure belt thickness with a caliper at the splice location, not at a worn cover area. Most manufacturers publish thickness in the belt datasheet, but field belts often wear thin on the top cover, so re-measure before ordering fasteners on any belt that has been in service for more than a few years. Thickness determines which fastener line fits: fasteners that are too thick will not seat fully in the belt; fasteners too thin will not grip the carcass and pull out under tension. Fastener lines are designed in overlapping thickness ranges so most belts have two valid size options.
2. Minimum pulley diameter
The smallest pulley the belt travels over determines how tightly the fastener must flex. Head, tail, snub, bend, and take-up pulleys all count. A fastener that exceeds the pulley's minimum diameter rating will fatigue-crack at the belt edge within weeks. Check every pulley on the conveyor and size to the smallest one. For conveyors with a small take-up pulley that the fastener barely clears, consider a 45-degree splice, which reduces flex stress behind the fastener row and allows installation of larger fastener sizes on smaller pulleys.
3. PIW (pounds per inch of width)
PIW is the belt tension the fastener must carry. Belt manufacturers publish PIW ratings (also called tension rating or belt strength) on the belt datasheet. A mechanical splice typically achieves 50% to 70% of the belt's rated PIW, so the fastener rating must equal or exceed the operating tension, not the belt's maximum rating. For example, a belt rated 800 PIW operating at 400 PIW can use a fastener rated 450 PIW (like the Riv-Nail R-5). Match the fastener PIW rating to the operating tension with a 25% safety margin.
4. Operating environment
Environment determines the fastener material (steel, galvanized, stainless, Durgard, or copper), the hinge pin type (bare cable, nylon-covered cable, stainless cable), and whether a corrosion-resistant or abrasion-resistant grade is required. The material selection table further down in this guide maps environments to the correct material grade.
Master Decision Table: Belt Specs to MATO Line
This table is the fastest way to narrow the MATO line. Find your belt thickness in the first column, then cross-reference duty and pulley to identify the correct fastener family. Specific size within each line is covered in the next section.
| Belt Thickness | Duty | Min. Pulley | MATO Line | Typical Size | PIW Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16" to 1/8" | Light | 1" to 2" | Steelgrip or EasyClip | Steelgrip 00-7; EC62 | Under 150 |
| 1/8" to 3/16" | Light | 2" to 3" | Steelgrip or EasyClip | Steelgrip 15; EC125 | Under 180 |
| 3/16" to 1/4" | Light to medium | 3" to 5" | Steelgrip, EasyClip, or Riv-Nail R-2 | Steelgrip 20, 27; EC187; R-2 | Up to 330 |
| 1/4" to 3/8" | Medium | 5" to 9" | Riv-Nail R-2, R-3 or Hinged Plategrip | R-2, R-3; X375, X550 | 200 to 450 |
| 3/8" to 1/2" | Medium to heavy | 9" to 14" | Riv-Nail R-5, R-5-1/2 or Plategrip 1, 140, 1-1/4 | R-5, R-5-1/2; PG 140, 1-1/4 | 150 to 800 |
| 1/2" to 5/8" | Heavy | 14" to 18" | Riv-Nail R-5-1/2 or Plategrip 190, 1-1/2 | R-5-1/2; PG 190, 1-1/2 | 300 to 800 |
| 5/8" to 3/4" | Heavy | 18" to 30" | Riv-Nail R-6, RC-8 or Plategrip 2 | R-6, RC-8; PG 2 | 440 to 1,500 |
| 3/4" to 1" | Extra heavy | 30" to 48" | Plategrip 2-1/4, 2-1/2, 3 | PG 2-1/4, 2-1/2, 3 | 450 to 620 |
Fastener Selection by Application Scenario
The master table above narrows by belt specs. These scenarios narrow by what the conveyor is actually doing. Pick the scenario closest to your application to confirm the line choice and understand the trade-offs.
Light-duty thin belts: packaging, parcel, baggage, food transfer
For belts under 3/8" thick on pulleys from 1" to 6", Steelgrip hook lacing and EasyClip preset staple fasteners are the two mainstream choices. Steelgrip installs with a hammer and gauge pin, no special tools. EasyClip installs faster using the EasyFix lacing fixture (6", 12", 24" sizes). Both are available in galvanized steel, 316 stainless, and 430 non-magnetic stainless for metal-detectable food lines. Choose Steelgrip for field repairs where no tools are available; choose EasyClip when installation speed matters on a production line.
Portable conveyors: radial stackers, crushing and screening, pavers
Portable conveyors require splices that open and close quickly so the belt can separate for transport. Hinged Plategrip X375 and X550 are the direct choice for belt thicknesses 1/4" to 5/8" on pulleys 6" to 9". For heavier portable equipment with belts over 1/2" thick, Riv-Nail R-5 or R-5-1/2 with a removable cable hinge pin provides the same quick-separate capability at higher PIW ratings up to 800.
Heavy-duty mining, aggregate, and quarry belts
For belts over 3/8" thick carrying abrasive material at 400 PIW or higher, Riv-Nail rivet hinged fasteners in Durgard alloy are the standard. Riv-Nail R-5 covers medium-heavy applications up to 450 PIW on 9" pulleys. R-5-1/2, R-6, and RC-8 extend to 1,500 PIW on 18" and larger pulleys. Durgard is MATO's heat-treated abrasion-resistant alloy and provides several times the wear life of standard steel in coal, iron ore, hard rock, limestone, sand, gravel, and crushed stone applications. For mining-specific guidance, see the industry page.
Food processing and wash-down environments
Food-contact and wash-down belts require stainless steel fasteners that resist cleaning chemicals, hot water, and sanitation cycles. Stainless EasyClip in 316 grade is the go-to for meat, poultry, dairy, bakery, and produce transfer belts up to 1/4" thick. Stainless Steelgrip covers lighter belts. For heavier food-industry belts on wash-down conveyors, stainless Riv-Nail in the RS or ES series provides compression fastening with full corrosion resistance. See the food-grade belt fasteners page for FDA and NSF/ANSI compliance details.
Grain, flour, feed mills, and non-sparking environments
Copper Rivet fasteners are the correct choice anywhere combustible dust is present or ferrous-metal contamination is prohibited. Copper is non-sparking, corrosion-resistant, and clinches cleanly into fabric and rubber belt carcasses. Grain elevators, flour mills, sugar refineries, and feed plants all specify copper rivet splices for dust-hazard compliance. The stainless-plate-with-copper-rivet combination (CR-Super and similar kits) adds full corrosion resistance for marine and outdoor applications. See the grain handling page for OSHA combustible dust considerations.
Long-life bolt-type splices on large pulleys
When minimum pulley diameter is 12" or larger and the application prioritizes splice life over installation speed, solid Plategrip is the longest-wearing mechanical splice short of vulcanization. Plategrip sizes 1, 140, and 190 cover medium-heavy belts; sizes 1-1/2 through 3 cover extra heavy belts up to 1" thick. The solid plate design has no hinge, so splice life exceeds hinged fasteners in continuous high-tension applications. Plategrip installs with bolt breakers, boring bits or power punches, and spanner wrenches.
Worn belts unfit for vulcanization
When a belt has worn below its original thickness, the carcass is often too degraded for a reliable vulcanized splice. Rivet hinged fasteners (Riv-Nail) are the industry-standard repair because the compression fastening does not rely entirely on carcass fiber integrity for pull-out resistance. The staggered rivet pattern distributes load across multiple attachment points, and the top-and-bottom plate design sandwiches the belt end rather than depending on fabric grip alone. This makes Riv-Nail the preferred fastener for extending the service life of worn belts that would otherwise be scrapped.
Size Selection Within Each MATO Line
Steelgrip size chart
| Size | Belt Thickness | Min. Pulley | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steelgrip 00 | 1/16" | 1" | Galvanized |
| Steelgrip 1A | 1/16" to 3/32" | 1-1/2" | Galvanized |
| Steelgrip 7 | 3/32" to 9/64" | 2" | Galvanized |
| Steelgrip 15 | 1/8" to 5/32" | 2-1/2" | Carbon / Stainless |
| Steelgrip 20 | 5/32" to 3/16" | 3" | Carbon / Stainless |
| Steelgrip 27 | 1/4" to 9/32" | 5" | Carbon / Stainless |
| Steelgrip 35 | 9/32" to 5/16" | 7" | Carbon / Stainless |
| Steelgrip 45 | 5/16" to 3/8" | 9" | Carbon / Stainless |
EasyClip size chart
| Size | Belt Thickness | Min. Pulley | PIW | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EC62 | 1/16" to 1/8" | 2" | 115 | Galv. / 316 / 430 stainless |
| EC125 | 1/8" to 3/16" | 3" | 180 | Galv. / 316 / 430 stainless |
| EC187 | 3/16" to 1/4" | 4" | 220 | Galv. / 316 / 430 stainless |
Riv-Nail size chart
| Size | Belt Thickness | Min. Pulley | PIW | Materials Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riv-Nail R-2 | 1/8" to 3/8" | 5" | 330 | Galv., Durgard, RLC, RC, RS |
| Riv-Nail R-3 | 3/16" to 3/8" | 6" | 330 | Galv., Durgard, RLC, RC, RS |
| Riv-Nail TR-4 | 7/32" to 7/16" | 9" | 400 | Galv., Durgard, RLC, RC, RS |
| Riv-Nail R-5 | 7/32" to 7/16" | 9" | 450 | Galv., Durgard, RLC, RC, RS |
| Riv-Nail R-5-1/2 | 3/8" to 19/32" | 12" | 800 | Galv., Durgard, RLC, RC, RS |
| Riv-Nail R-6 | 13/32" to 3/4" | 18" | 1,000 | Galv., Durgard, RLC, RC |
| Riv-Nail TRC-6 | 13/32" to 3/4" | 18" | 1,000 | Galv., Durgard, RLC, RC |
| Riv-Nail RC-8 | 13/32" to 3/4" | 18" | 1,500 | RC stainless |
Plategrip size chart (solid and hinged)
| Size | Belt Thickness | Min. Pulley | PIW | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plategrip 1 | 3/16" to 7/16" | 12" | 150 | Solid |
| Plategrip 140 | 3/16" to 7/16" | 14" | 225 | Solid |
| Plategrip 190 | 5/16" to 9/16" | 18" | 375 | Solid |
| Plategrip 1-1/4 | 3/8" to 1/2" | 14" | 150 | Solid |
| Plategrip 1-1/2 | 7/16" to 11/16" | 18" | 300 | Solid |
| Plategrip 2 | 9/16" to 13/16" | 30" | 440 | Solid |
| Plategrip 2-1/4 | 9/16" to 1-3/16" | 36" | 620 | Solid |
| Plategrip 2-1/2 | 3/4" to 1" | 42" | 450 | Solid |
| Plategrip 3 | 15/16"+ | 48" | 560 | Solid |
| Hinged Plategrip X375 | 1/4" to 13/32" | 6" | 200 | Hinged |
| Hinged Plategrip X550 | 1/4" to 5/8" | 9" | 300 | Hinged |
Copper Rivet sizing
Copper Rivet fasteners are sized by kit (CR-1, CR-2, CR-2A, CR-Super, and similar) rather than by a universal numbering scheme. Each kit is matched to a belt thickness and width range and contains the rivets, burrs, and instructions needed for the splice. Stainless-plate-with-copper-rivet variants (denoted with an S suffix) combine corrosion resistance with non-sparking installation. Call for kit selection by belt thickness and width, or view the complete Copper Rivet collection.
Material Selection
Material is the second dimension of fastener selection. The correct size in the wrong material will fail within weeks in an aggressive environment. Use this table to match material grade to environment.
| Material | Best For | Avoid When | Available In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | General industrial, dry, indoor | Moisture, chemical exposure | All lines |
| Galvanized Steel | Moderate moisture, outdoor, general use | Chemical attack, salt exposure | All lines |
| 316 Stainless | Food, wash-down, chemical, wet | Very abrasive material (wears fast) | Steelgrip, EasyClip, Riv-Nail, Plategrip |
| 430 Stainless (non-magnetic) | Metal-detectable food lines | Highly corrosive environments | EasyClip, Riv-Nail (RS series) |
| Durgard | Abrasive: coal, ore, sand, gravel, crushed stone | Highly corrosive environments | Riv-Nail, Plategrip |
| RLC Low-Chrome Stainless | Moderate abrasion plus moderate corrosion | Extreme either direction | Riv-Nail |
| RC High-Chrome Stainless + Nickel | Magnet belts, potash, salt, acidic conditions | Cost-sensitive general applications | Riv-Nail (RC-8 is RC-only) |
| Copper | Grain, flour, non-sparking, corrosive | High-tension heavy-duty belts | Copper Rivet only |
Hinge Pin and Rivet Selection
Hinged fasteners (Riv-Nail, Hinged Plategrip, EasyClip, Steelgrip) use a hinge pin to connect the two belt ends. Solid Plategrip and Copper Rivet do not use hinge pins. Rivets are ordered separately for Riv-Nail and are included in Copper Rivet kits.
Hinge pin types
- Bare steel cable: General-purpose, removable. Best for applications where the pin will be pulled to separate the belt frequently.
- Bare stainless cable: Corrosive environments, food-grade, wash-down. Removable.
- Nylon-covered steel cable: Semi-permanent. The nylon coating locks into the fastener loops so the pin resists walking out under vibration. Not intended for frequent removal.
- Nylon-covered stainless cable: Combines corrosion resistance with the nylon-lock behavior. Preferred for food and chemical applications.
- Armored cable and all-stainless armored: Abrasive and heavy-duty applications where the hinge pin must survive against ore, rock, and hard-edged material.
Rivet selection for Riv-Nail
Riv-Nail rivets are ordered separately and sized to belt thickness. Letter codes (0, 1, 2, A, A/B, B, C, C/D, D, E, F, G, H, I) map to belt thickness from 3.1 mm to 23 mm. Rivets are color-coded: zinc dichromate (gold) for standard steel, zinc silver for plated, plus stainless variants. Using the wrong rivet length is the most common Riv-Nail installation mistake. The rivet must penetrate both top and bottom plates and clinch cleanly on the anvil side. Short rivets leave the plate loose; long rivets bend over rather than clinching. Order by belt thickness measurement rather than estimation.
Installation Tool Requirements by Line
| Fastener Line | Tools Required | Approx. Install Time (36" belt) |
|---|---|---|
| Steelgrip | Hammer, gauge pin, belt cutter. No lacing fixture needed. | 15 to 30 minutes |
| EasyClip / Staplegrip | EasyFix lacing fixture (6", 12", 24", or 1200 mm) plus hammer. No drilling. | 10 to 20 minutes |
| Copper Rivet | Rivet setter, hole punch, hammer. Kit includes instructions. | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Plategrip (solid) | Bolt breakers, boring bit or power punch, spanner or hex wrench (hand or power versions). | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Plategrip (hinged) | Same as solid Plategrip, plus hinge pin insertion. | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Riv-Nail | Manual (RNAT driver, MRNAT multi-driver, RNQL guide block) or powered (RNAPD air hammer, RNBH-1 Bosch hammer, RNEH-1 corded hammer). | 20 to 60 minutes |
The MATO installation tools collection lists every tool by part number. Note that MATO and Flexco tools are not interchangeable; if you are converting from Flexco fasteners, plan to purchase MATO tools at the same time. See the Flexco to MATO cross-reference for the equivalent MATO product for your current Flexco fasteners.
Common Selection Mistakes to Avoid
- Oversizing for pulley diameter. Using a Riv-Nail R-6 (18" pulley minimum) on a conveyor with a 12" take-up pulley will crack the belt behind the fastener within weeks. Always size to the smallest pulley on the conveyor.
- Undersizing for belt tension. Using a Plategrip size 1 (150 PIW) on a belt operating at 300 PIW will pull out of the belt carcass. Match the fastener rating to the operating tension, not the belt's maximum rating, with a 25% safety margin.
- Galvanized in a corrosive environment. Galvanized coating fails quickly in wash-down, food processing, or chemical exposure. Specify stainless for anything more corrosive than indoor dry industrial.
- Wrong rivet length on Riv-Nail. Rivets are matched to belt thickness at installation, not to the fastener size. A worn belt may need a shorter rivet than the datasheet indicates.
- Standard steel in abrasive service. Sand, gravel, aggregate, coal, and ore will wear through carbon steel fasteners in weeks. Specify Durgard for any belt carrying abrasive material.
- Using ferrous fasteners in grain or flour. Steel fasteners in dust-hazard environments create ignition risk and contamination risk. Copper Rivet is the code-compliant choice for grain handling.
- Ordering without re-measuring a used belt. Belt thickness at the splice area on a worn belt is often less than the original spec. Measure at the splice location before ordering.
Industry-Specific Quick Picks
Each of these industry pages narrows the selection to the MATO line and material most commonly specified for that application, with compliance references (MSHA, FDA, OSHA) where relevant.