Polyurethane Flat Belts
Polyurethane Flat Belts
Polyurethane flat belts are smooth, toothless belts reinforced with steel or aramid tension members. Unlike toothed timing belts that mesh with sprockets, flat belts are friction-driven and designed for accumulation conveyors, slip-sheet feeding, light product transport, and applications requiring a smooth, continuous contact surface.
Flat belts are available in thicknesses from 1.0mm to 6.0mm and can be supplied with specialized surface treatments including Supergrip rubber for high traction, PAZ polyamide for reduced friction, felt for delicate products, and FDA-compliant surfaces for food processing lines.
- Models: F1.0, F1.5, F2.0, F2.2, F2.5, F3.0, F4.0, F6.0
- Thickness range: 1.0mm to 6.0mm
- Widths: 10mm to 200mm (model dependent)
- Tension members: steel cord or aramid
- Open-ended, welded, or truly endless
- Friction coefficient: 0.5 to 0.7 (polyurethane on steel)
- Speed: up to 30 to 50 m/s
- Surface options: Supergrip, PAZ, felt, FDA-compliant
Flat Belt Specifications
| Model | Thickness (mm) | Standard Widths (mm) | Tension Member | Configurations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1.0 | 1.0 | 10, 20, 30, 50 | Aramid or steel | Open-ended, welded |
| F1.5 | 1.5 | 10, 20, 30, 50, 75 | Aramid or steel | Open-ended, welded |
| F2.0 | 2.0 | 20, 30, 50, 75, 100 | Aramid or steel | Open-ended, welded, truly endless |
| F2.2 | 2.2 | 20, 30, 50, 75, 100 | Steel cord | Open-ended, welded, truly endless |
| F2.5 | 2.5 | 20, 30, 50, 75, 100 | Steel cord | Open-ended, welded, truly endless |
| F3.0 | 3.0 | 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 | Steel cord | Open-ended, welded |
| F4.0 | 4.0 | 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 | Steel cord | Open-ended, welded |
| F6.0 | 6.0 | 50, 75, 100, 150, 200 | Steel cord | Open-ended, welded |
Flat Belt Applications
| Application | Recommended Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Accumulation conveyors | F1.0 to F2.0 | Low friction allows product to slide when belt is stopped |
| Light product transport | F1.5 to F3.0 | Smooth surface for gentle handling of packaged goods |
| Friction drives | F2.0 to F4.0 | Consistent coefficient of friction for reliable power transmission |
| Heavy conveying | F4.0 to F6.0 | Higher load capacity, thicker cross-section |
| Paper and film handling | F1.0 to F2.0 | Smooth surface prevents marking or scuffing on printing substrates |
| Slip-sheet feeding | F1.0 to F1.5 | Thin, flexible profile for tight-radius sheet separation |
Surface and Backing Options
Flat belts can be supplied with specialized surface treatments and backings to modify friction, grip, and product handling characteristics:
| Surface Option | Effect | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Supergrip rubber | Increases friction to 0.8+ | Inclined conveying, high-traction drives |
| PAZ polyamide | Reduces friction to approximately 0.3 | Accumulation conveyors, zero-pressure zones |
| Felt padding | Soft, cushioned surface | Delicate product handling, scratch prevention |
| FDA-compliant surface | Food-safe polyurethane | Food processing, pharmaceutical |
Frequently Asked Questions
Polyurethane flat belts are smooth, toothless belts reinforced with steel or aramid cords. Unlike toothed timing belts, flat belts are friction-driven and are used for accumulation conveying, light product transport, and applications requiring a continuous smooth surface.
The coefficient of friction for polyurethane on steel pulleys is approximately 0.5 to 0.7 depending on surface finish and conditions. Adding Supergrip rubber backing increases friction to 0.8 or higher. PAZ polyamide coating reduces friction to approximately 0.3 for accumulation applications.
Flat belts are tensioned by adjusting the center distance between drive and idler pulleys. Spring-loaded tensioners are recommended to maintain consistent tension as the belt stretches slightly during break-in. Proper tension ensures adequate friction drive force without overloading bearings.
Standard polyurethane flat belts can handle slight inclines (up to about 15 degrees) depending on the product. For steeper inclines, adding Supergrip rubber backing provides additional friction to prevent product slippage. For steep angles, toothed timing belts with flights are recommended instead.
Polyurethane flat belts can operate at speeds up to 30 to 50 m/s depending on thickness, width, and pulley configuration. Thinner belts (F1.0, F1.5) are suitable for higher speeds, while thicker belts (F4.0, F6.0) are typically used at moderate speeds for heavy-load conveying.
Yes. Polyurethane flat belts with aramid tension members are non-magnetic and generate minimal particulate. For cleanroom applications in semiconductor or pharmaceutical environments, belts can be supplied with precision-ground surfaces and clean-packed to meet specific cleanliness requirements.
Yes. Flat belts can be welded or mechanically joined on-site. Butt welding is the most common field connection method for flat belts. For the strongest joint, specify truly endless belts (F2.0, F2.2, F2.5 models available truly endless).
Choose based on load and application: F1.0 to F2.0 for light accumulation and film handling, F2.0 to F3.0 for general conveying, and F4.0 to F6.0 for heavy products. Thinner belts are more flexible and can wrap around smaller pulleys. Contact Texas Belting at 888-203-2358 for application-specific recommendations.
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