Annals of the „Constantin Brâncuși” University of Târgu-Jiu,Engineering Series, Issue 4/2014

ANALYSIS OF PARAMETERS WHICH CHARACTERIZE THE JOINTING

BY VULCANIZATION OF CONVEYOR BELTS

D. Dobrota, Constantin Brancusi University of Targu Jiu, Targu Jiu, Romania

C. Iancu, Constantin Brancusi University of Targu Jiu, Targu Jiu, Romania

ABSTRACT: In the joint area between two conveyor belts, there must be obtained a more
homogeneous structure with properties as close as possible to the original conveyor belt. Because
the temperature is one of the most important technological parameters which characterize the
vulcanization of rubber, in the paper is presented a research which shows that temperature has
different values depending on the measurement points and the time after which the measurement is
taken. The temperature was monitored in 8 distinct points every 10 / min. In the paper, was also
measured the hardness of rubber in the 8 points, observing higher values of hardness in the center of
conveyor belt and lower values at the periphery.

KEY WORDS: conveyor belts, vulcanization, monitoring temperature, hardness, rubber

1. INTRODUCTION influence, through their realization mode, the

joint quality and the behavior in operating the
The technological process of the jointing of conveyor belt [4].
conveyor belts with metal insertions or In the joint area between two conveyor belts,
textiles is particularly important in order to it must be obtained a more homogeneous
ensure a construction and optimal structure and properties as close as possible to
maintenance in the functioning of conveyors the original belt [5]. Because a large influence
with conveyor belts. The execution mode of a on the tensile strength of the conveyor belt
joint of a conveyor belt affects a number of has metal or textile insertion, so the
features of the conveyor belt, but especially arrangement of insertion in the joint area has
tensile strength. Jointing technologies of a large influence. The arrangement of the
conveyor belts can be continuously improved, inserts in the joint area is influenced by the
both in terms of operations organization and diameter of the textile insertion or the number
the use of proper jointing materials, but also of textile canvases and thus there are
in terms of the execution process of the joint recommended certain classes of resistance for
of conveyor belt [1, 2]. conveyor belts [6]. International standards,
To achieve a high productivity for a DIN 22 129, depending on the resistance
conveyor with belt it is necessary that the class, it is recommended the joint in one, two,
stationary time, necessary for the reparations three or four steps. Thus, the standards
and especially the joints rehabilitation or recommend for belts ST 800, ST 1000, ST
replacement of sections of belt that require 1250 and ST 1600 joining in one step, for ST
new joints, must be as short as possible. As 2000, ST 2500 and ST 3150 in two steps, for
regards the methods of jointing the conveyor ST 3500, ST 4000 and ST 4500 in three steps,
belts, these can be by vulcanization or by and for ST 5000 and ST 5400 in four steps.
stapling with metal clips [3]. Both methods of
jointing the belts are made up of a sequence 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
of relatively simple operations, but there are a
number of complex operations, especially in An important feature that should be
jointing by vulcanization process which considered at the joint of conveyor belts is the
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adhesion between its parts. This feature is For belts with metal insertions, the evulsion
influenced by both the conveyor belt resistance of the cable must have the values
production technology and the materials used which are given in Table 1.
at joint, namely rubber and metal insertions.

Table 1. Specific evulsion resistance of steel cable

Specific evulsion resistance,
Resistance class Cable diameter, mm max.
N/mm
ST 800 4,3 70
ST 1000 4,3 70
ST 1250 4,3 70
ST 1600 6,0 85
ST 2000 6,0 85
ST 2500 7,5 100
ST 3150 8,5 110
ST 4000 9,5 120

To obtain a joint of the conveyor belt with transported material and not change properties
corresponding characteristics, the rubber when they are under the influence of the
coating (load bearing and rolling faces and environment. These characteristics of rubber
also the rubber edges) of the conveyor belt coatings are given in Table 2 for conveyor
must possess a high resistance to wear of the belts with metal insertions.

Table 2. Physical and mechanical characteristics of the coating rubber of belts with metal insertions

Characteristic Conditions of Methods of testing

admissibility
Tensile strength, MN/m2 min 25 ISO 5285/2008 (dumbbell-shaped
samples, size 1)
Tensile elongation, % min. 450
Abrasion resistance, mm2 max. 150 ISO 5285/2008 (method with the
roller device, downforce 10 N)

3. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Rubber hardness was measured because it
In the experimental research, it was influences the adhesion between rubber and
intended to monitor the heater temperature metal insertion, and the behavior of the
during a vulcanization cycle. This monitoring conveyor belt in terms of abrasive wear. For
allowed a correlation of the evolution of joining the conveyor belts, it is used a
heating temperature with rubber hardness machine of DSLQ type, which is a machine
from the joint. Also, thermal analysis was that works by electrical heating, triphased.
performed every 10 min in 8 distinct points, The metal structure of this machine is made
namely 4 points for each end of the belt which largely of aluminum alloy with symbolization
will be spliced. 3L59. General scheme of the installation of
After thermal analysis in the research was vulcanization of a conveyor belt is shown in
realized a measurement of rubber hardness in Figure 1.
the vulcanite state for all 8 points of analysis. Scheme of arrangement of the 8

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measurement points for temperature and rubber hardness is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1. General scheme of joint installation: 1 - conveyor belt; 2 - traverse; 3 - heating plate; 4 -
system for fixation of traverse package; 5 - hydraulic pistons for maintaining the
pressing pressure

Figure 2. General scheme of arrangement of the 8 measurement points for temperature and rubber
hardness

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The experimental results obtained in the

monitoring process for the temperature for For temperature measurement was used a
the 8 measuring points are shown in Table 3, pyrometer EX42570 and for measuring rubber
and the results regarding the hardness of hardness it was used a durometer Shore D /
rubber are presented in Table 4. standardized ASTM D 2240.

Table 3. Values of temperature measured in the 8 monitoring points

Temperature measured / 0C
Measuring points 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Time / min
20 94 100 99 96 94 103 101 96
30 112 117 116 111 111 118 115 110
40 113 123 124 113 112 120 118 112
50 117 120 123 116 116 121 121 116
60 118 119 120 119 117 122 122 117
70 119 120 121 119 118 123 123 118
80 120 123 124 120 120 124 125 120
90 122 128 129 123 122 127 128 122
100 125 129 131 124 124 128 131 124
110 126 129 132 125 125 129 132 125
120 127 130 133 126 126 130 134 127
130 129 132 134 128 128 133 135 128
140 130 134 136 131 130 134 136 130
150 131 136 138 132 131 137 138 131
160 132 139 140 133 131 142 143 133

Table 4. Hardness values measured in the 8 monitoring points

Measuring points 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0
Hardness / Sh 64 76 78 69 68 75 77 67

4. CONCLUSION - obtaining a conveyor belt with

inhomogeneous properties in the structure
From the analysis of obtaining determines a low durability and an
experimental, results the following accentuated wear over time.
conclusions:
- on the width of the conveyor belt REFERENCES
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