Metal vs Plastic Belts

Are you considering the use of plastic belts on their spirals, either to replace metal belts on existing units or designing new spirals with plastic?

Are you considering the use of plastic belts on their spirals, either to replace metal belts on existing units or designing new spirals with plastic?

With new plastic materials, solid engineering and application support and very strong belt warranties, you should take a look at the use of plastic spiral belts on your next application.

If you have an application coming up for a spiral, let us take a look at it and we will give you a specific analysis of the belts you are considering for a specific product and environment. We can help you choose the best belt for the application.

The use of metal belts on spirals are well documented for their abilities and limitations.

Plastic spiral belts have not as much history, although in straight running applications plastic belts have proven to outwear metal by a 3:1 factor. Time will tell if this also applies to spiral radius belts

belt-mfg-2

Metal Versus Plastic Belts for Freezers Advanced Spiral, Tunnel Freezer Manufacturer - Spiral Freezers, IQF Freezer Manufacturer, Tunnel Freezers

Belting Manufacturers
The various types and styles of belting that are available for the use of spirals. Unlike straight running conveyors, spirals can only use belts which can make a radius turn, which limits the types and styles that can be used on these systems.

Belts as listed by the manufacturer.

  • Marcon
  • Ashworth
  • Cambridge
  • Flex
  • Habasit
  • Intralox
  • KVP
  • Mesh

RodThe final decision of selecting a belt of your choice should be made between you, the manufacturer of the spiral and the belt manufacture. We also list a short description of the belts main characteristics for your initial evaluation, as well as a general comparison between plastic belts and metal belts.

If there are belt manufacturers which would like to be considered for listing and have not been included, please feel free to contact us. We have listed 95% of all spiral belts that are currently used on low tension spirals. We have not listed belts which are of special proprietary belt design which can only be used on a single type spiral.

Strength:
Advantage: Plastic
Currently, the strongest plastic belts are 550 lbs on plastic and 500 lbs on metal. Not all plastic or metal styles carry this rating. As strength itself is not the most critical factor (it is the radius weight rating which is), plastic belts have an advantage over metal.
Weight:

Advantage: Plastic
Plastic belts weigh:

1" pitch: 1.1lbs/sq. ft
1 1/2" pitch: 1.7 lbs/sq. ft
2" pitch: 2.76 lbs/sq. ft
Metal belts weigh:

Rod type: 1.85 lbs/sq. ft
Flex type: 3.2lbs/sq. ft
Mesh Overlay type: 3.05 lbs/sq.ft

In weights, the lighter the better (assuming no strength loss). Plastics have it over metal.

Fatigue:
Advantage: Plastic
Plastic belts are not subject to work hardening as metal belts are, so the continuous cycling of the belt through the spiral does not have the same detrimental effect on the plastic as it does on metal.

Collapse:
Advantage: Metal
Metal belts (various styles) have collapse factors of:

2.2 to 1
1.7 to 1
1.5 to 1
1.1 to 1
Current Plastic belts have collapse factors of:

2.2 to 1
1.7 to 1

A smaller collapse factor in a belt gives you a smaller footprint (smaller cage diameter possibilities), so metal has it over plastic (today).

Open Area:
Advantage: Metal
The most open metal belts (rod type) have more open area than the most open plastic belts.

Sanitation:
Advantage: Metal
The more open metal belts (rod type) are easier to clean than the most open plastic belts due to their construction.

Product Release:
Advantage: Plastic
The contact surface of plastic belts offers a more nonstick surface than metal belts.

Styles Of Belts Offered:
Advantage: Metal
Metal belts have more styles to choose from and more manufacturers.

Spiral Framework:
Advantage: Metal
Metal belts would generally be considered as less complicated on the frame construction primarily due to the belt support system used. A typical 36" wide metal belt takes 2 supports for this width, while it takes 3 to properly support a plastic belt (due to lateral belt deflection). This can be avoided with plastic by putting metal connector rods periodically into the belt (to obtain lateral stiffness).On the flip side of this, it could be proven in the future that while metal belts generally run on both horizontal and vertical plastic wear strips, a plastic belt could be run on metal structure only, eliminating wear strips altogether. Construction could then be easier with plastic.

Belt Speeds:
Advantage: Plastic
Plastic belting has proven itself to be a better alternative when the application calls for higher belt speeds, as metal belts have generally been used only in applications where these speeds do not exceed 150 FPM.

Lubrication:
Advantage: Plastic
With plastic belts, you do not lubricate at all. With metal belts, lubrication is required in certain applications in order to reduce friction.

Belt Life:
Advantage: Metal / Plastic
Since plastic belts have a lower friction factor and generally run at fewer belt tensions than metal, we expect plastic belts to outlast metal on a given suitable application, although plastic belts on spirals are still relatively new (13 years compared to 33 years on metal).
Heat:

Advantage: Metal
Metal belts are the best choice for now (over 220 F), due to both plastic material compositions and costs associated with high-temperature materials.

Radius Weight:
Advantage: Plastic
In all applications, available strength factors and expected belt tensions for both metal and plastic are related to the "radius weight factor" which is the weight of the product and the belt multiplied by its radius. A lighter belt allows for more capabilities.

Air Flow:
Advantage: Metal
The most open metal belts have better vertical air flow than the most open plastic belts, but most airflow patterns used today are horizontal, so review your application to see if this will have any effect one way or the other.

Thermal Conductivity:
Advantage: Metal
Metal belts have better thermal conductivity properties than plastic belts.
Flammability:

Advantage: Metal
Metal belts do not support a flame, while the standard plastic belts can.
Note: There are plastic belt materials which are self-extinguishing.

Drive Ability:
Advantage: Plastic
Plastic belts have a greater drive surface contact area than metal, making them a better choice for lower tension systems.

Particulates:
Advantage: Plastic
Metal belts can generate filings or metal particulates due to connector rod and link interface in certain applications. This is not an issue with plastic.

Repair Ability:
Advantage: Metal
Since plastic belts are modular in design, maintenance and repairs made in the field are easier and quicker than metal belts. No special tools, grinding or welding is necessary.

Cost:
Advantage: Metal
The least expensive metal belt is less expensive than the least expensive plastic belt. Metal belts have an advantage overall because they are not petroleum based.

Example:

Grid belt $ .55/in of width
Flex belt $ .91/in of width
Mesh overlay belt $ .90/in of width
Plastic belt $ 1.10- 1.48/in of width
For actual pricing per application, please get a quote above are pure guesstimates.

The More You Know About Freezers
The More You Will Look To Advanced Equipment Inc. as Your Reliable Supplier