What are the causes of surface damage to rubber flat belts

Rubber flat belts play a vital role in industrial transmission systems, and their surface condition directly affects the transmission efficiency and the overall performance of the equipment. Surface damage is one of the common problems of rubber flat belts, which not only shortens their service life, but may also cause a series of mechanical failures.

The causes of surface damage to rubber flat belts can be mainly attributed to multiple aspects, including material defects, external environmental factors, mechanical stress, improper installation and unreasonable operating conditions. Among them, the quality and performance of the material play a fundamental role in the occurrence of surface damage. The ratio of rubber materials, the selection of vulcanization processes and additives are directly related to their wear resistance, aging resistance and elastic performance. If the rubber ratio is improper, resulting in too high or too low hardness, it will increase the risk of cracks, scratches or peeling during operation. In addition, insufficient or uneven vulcanization during the manufacturing process will also lead to instability of the internal structure of the rubber, thereby forming microcracks or weaknesses, which are manifested as surface damage during use.

External environmental factors are also an important cause of surface damage to rubber flat belts. Ultraviolet radiation is the main external factor of rubber aging. When exposed to sunlight for a long time, ultraviolet rays will cause the rubber molecular chain to break, which will cause the surface to become brittle, harden, and crack and craze. Oxidation should not be ignored. Oxygen in the air reacts with unsaturated bonds in rubber to form oxides, which reduce the elasticity of rubber and increase brittleness, thus causing cracks and peeling. The impact of high temperature environment on rubber is particularly significant. Long-term exposure to high temperature will accelerate the aging process of rubber, causing cracks, discoloration and hardening on the surface. In severe cases, the surface may even peel off. In addition, chemical corrosion is also one of the factors causing surface damage. If the rubber material is exposed to grease, acid, alkali, solvent or other chemicals, it may cause the rubber to swell, deform or soften, forming local peeling and cracks.

The role of mechanical stress also plays an important role in the surface damage of rubber flat belts. During the transmission process, the flat belt is subjected to multi-directional stresses such as tension, compression and shear. If the stress is concentrated or unevenly distributed, micro cracks are easily formed locally. Excessive stretching or uneven stretching may cause strain concentration in the rubber material, which in turn causes surface cracks or peeling. In addition, friction and wear are also an important factor. The contact friction between the drive wheel and the flat belt will gradually wear the rubber surface, forming scratches and depressions. If the lubrication is poor or the drive wheel surface is uneven, the change in the friction coefficient will increase the wear of the rubber.

Improper installation is also one of the important reasons for surface damage. Incorrect installation methods, including eccentricity, misalignment or excessive tension, will lead to local stress concentration, causing cracks, peeling and deformation on the rubber surface. During the installation process, if the tension is not properly adjusted or the drive wheel is not adequately surface treated, the risk of surface damage will also increase.