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Technical Guide
Cover grades, international standards, a quick belt selection guide and a glossary of conveyor belt terms.
Specifications
Conveyor Belt Cover Grades & Standards
The cover grade is the single biggest factor in belt life. Use this table to compare grades across standards.
Cover grades at a glance
| Cover grade | Standards | Min. tensile (MPa) | Min. elongation (%) | Max. abrasion (mm³) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (M-grade) | DIN-X, AS-M, IS-M 24, BS-M 24, SANS-M | 24 – 25 | 450 | 120 – 150 | Large lumps, sharp rugged material: iron ore, coal, limestone, rock |
| General (N-grade) | SANS-N, DIN-Y, IS-N 17, BS-N 17, RMA 1, JIS-S | 17 – 20 | 400 – 450 | 150 – 200 | Moderately abrasive: sand, cement, wood chips |
| Super abrasion resistant | DIN-W, AS-A | 17 – 18 | 400 | 70 – 90 | Highly abrasive: limestone, metal ore, slag, glass |
| Heat resistant T1 | DIN-T, IS-HR (T1) | 13.0 | 350 | 150 | Up to 125°C coarse / 100°C fines |
| Heat resistant T2 | DIN-T, IS-HR (T2) | 12.5 | 350 | 180 | Up to 150°C coarse / 125°C fines |
| Heat resistant T3 (EPDM) | UHR (T3) | 10.0 | 300 | 200 | Up to 200°C coarse / 180°C fines |
| Fire resistant | SANS-F, ISO-340, DIN S/K, AS-F, CAN/CSA, IS-FR, MSHA-FR | 14 – 17 | 300 – 350 | 180 – 200 | Coal and fire-hazard materials, antistatic |
| Oil resistant | IS-OR, AS-Z, DIN-G, HiOR, MOR | 12.5 – 15 | 250 – 350 | 40 – 80 | Oil-treated fertiliser, petroleum, vegetable oils, grease |
Values are minimums/maximums for the standards listed. Exact properties depend on the specific grade ordered.
Selection Guide
Which Conveyor Belt Do I Need?
Start from the material you convey. For a firm recommendation, share your conveyor details with our team.
| Material / condition | Recommended belt | |
|---|---|---|
| Iron ore, coal, rock, large lumps | General purpose M-grade / SAR | View → |
| Sand, cement, wood chips | General purpose N-grade | View → |
| Hot sinter, clinker, coke (100–200°C) | Heat resistant T1 / T2 / T3 | View → |
| Coal in mines and power plants | Fire resistant & antistatic | View → |
| Urea, potash, corrosive chemicals | Chemical resistant | View → |
| Oily fertiliser, oil seeds, grease | Oil resistant | View → |
| Food, grain, pharmaceuticals | Hygienic (white, FDA polymers) | View → |
| Bags and cartons on inclines | Rough top | View → |
| Loose bulk on steep inclines | Chevron | View → |
| Long-distance, high-tension | Steel cord | View → |
| Grain and flour elevators | Woven belting + elevator buckets | View → |
Glossary
Conveyor Belt Terms Explained
- Cover grade
- The rubber compound on the carrying (top) and pulley (bottom) side of the belt. It decides resistance to abrasion, heat, oil, fire or chemicals.
- Ply
- A layer of fabric (cotton, nylon, polyester or EP) inside the belt that gives it strength. More plies mean higher tensile strength.
- Tensile strength
- The load the belt carcass can carry, usually stated in N/mm or kgf per 25 mm per ply.
- Elongation at break
- How far the cover rubber stretches before breaking, in %. Higher values mean a tougher, more flexible cover.
- Abrasion loss
- Volume of rubber (mm³) lost in a standard abrasion test. Lower values mean better wear resistance.
- SAR
- Super Abrasion Resistant: a premium cover for highly abrasive materials.
- Chevron belt
- A belt with moulded V-shaped cleats that stop loose material from rolling back on steep inclines.
- Steel cord belt
- A belt reinforced with high-tensile steel cords instead of fabric, used for long, high-tension conveyors.
- Vulcanising / jointing
- Joining belt ends with heat and pressure (hot) or adhesive (cold) to make the belt endless. Mechanical fasteners are a quick alternative.
- Elevator bucket
- A metal or plastic bucket bolted to an elevator belt to lift bulk material vertically.
Need help with calculations? Try our belt length, roll diameter and weight calculators.
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