Why belt conveyor belts are prone to aging？

The function of the belt conveyor belt in the conveying operation is very important, but it is very easy to age in use, not durable, and needs to be replaced frequently. What is the cause of aging? Let's take a look together.

• Oxidation

Oxygen undergoes a free radical chain reaction with rubber molecules in rubber, and the molecular chain is broken or excessively crosslinked, causing a change in rubber properties. Oxidation is one of the important reasons for rubber aging.

• Ozone reaction

The chemical activity of ozone is much higher than that of oxygen, and it is more destructive. It also breaks the molecular chain, but the effect of ozone on rubber varies with the deformation of rubber. It is used as a rubber for deformation (mainly unsaturated). In the case of rubber), a crack perpendicular to the direction of stress action occurs, which is called "ozone cracking".

• Temperature is too high

Increasing the temperature can cause thermal cracking or thermal crosslinking of the rubber, but the basic effect of heat is activation, increasing the rate of oxygen diffusion and activating the oxidation reaction, thereby accelerating the oxidation reaction rate of the rubber, which is a ubiquitous aging phenomenon - heat Oxygen aging.

• Excessive illumination

The shorter the light wave, the greater the energy; the more damaging to the rubber is the higher energy ultraviolet light. In addition to UV directly causing the breakage and cross-linking of rubber molecular chains, rubber generates free radicals by absorbing light energy, triggering and accelerating the oxidation chain reaction process. Ultraviolet light plays a role in heating, and light has another characteristic (with heat). The effect is different. It is mainly produced on the surface of the rubber, and the sample with high gel content has a network crack on both sides, which is called “light outer crack”.

• Mechanical stress

Under the repeated action of mechanical stress and continuous friction with the roller, the belt conveyor will break the rubber molecular chain to form a free radical, trigger the oxidative chain reaction, form a force chemical process, mechanically break the molecular chain and mechanically activate the oxidation process. It is dominant, depending on its conditions, and it is easy to cause ozone cracking under stress.

• Too humid

When the rubber is exposed to humid air or immersed in water, it is easily destroyed. This is because the water-soluble substances and water-clearing components in the rubber are dissolved, hydrolyzed or absorbed by water, especially in water soaking and Under the alternating action of atmospheric exposure, the destruction of rubber will be accelerated.

The above points are the reasons why the conveyor belt is prone to aging when the conveyor is in use. If you want to know how to solve these problems, you can consult our manual customer service, we will solve it for you.