Flat Belts are utilized in various applications, especially for driving machines in industries. Flat belts are made of various materials like rubber, leather etc. In some cases they are reinforced with metal, textiles and fibers. Rubber is a popular material used in the making of flat belts. These belts are highly convenient and reliable in operation and installation and are used in high-speed, low-power applications. They are generally used in textile manufacturing machines, paper making machines and conveyors. They have durable surface coatings which provide anti-static properties and withstand high tension and cost-effective.

Classifications of flat belts
Based on their design, rubber flat belts are classified as follows:

• Stretch
• Semi-stretch
• Non-stretch belts

Types of rubber used in making rubber flat belts

• Urethane rubber
• Neoprene elastomer
• Hypalon
• Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPM, EPDM)
• Silicone Rubber (SiR)

Types of Rubber Flat Belts

• Small woven endless belts: Suitable for applications in which less vibration is produced near the driven pulley. These belts are designed as elastic belts, semi-elastic belts and non-stretch belts.
• Higher power flat belts: They are made up of abrasion-resistant rubber. This eliminates the high tension applied to grip pulleys.

Buying Tips Following are the specifications of Flat Belts: Working Load: The maximum weight or mass that a belt can support which is expressed in pounds. Length: This is the linear distance measured from one end of the belt to the other and expressed in inches or millimeters. Weight: This refers to the heaviness of the flat belt and expressed in kilograms or pounds. Thickness: This is the distance between two surfaces of a rubber flat belt and expressed in millimeters or inches.

Advantages

• No requirement of lubrication.
• Maintenance is minimal.
• Reduction of sudden shocks or changes in loading.
• Quiet and smooth operation.

Applications

• Conveyors
• Compressors
• Paper making machines
• Textile machinery
• Hard disk drives
• High speed motors
• Heavy industrial devices and Machine tools.