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| Metal vs Plastic Belts |
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| Experience: |
Advantage: Metal |
| The use of metal belts on spirals have been around since 1967 and are a know factor for their abilities and limitations. The first plastic spiral belt was installed in 1987 so metal has more experience, 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. |
| Strength: |
Advantage: Plastic |
| As of this writing, 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 |
| 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 though the spiral does not have the same detrimental affect on the plastic as it does on metal. |
| Open Area: |
Advantage: Metal |
| The most open metal belts (rod type) have more open area then the most open plastic belts. |
| Sanitation: |
Advantage: Plastic |
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| Product Release: |
Advantage: Plastic |
| The contact surface of plastic belts offer a more non stick surface than metal belts. |
| 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 less 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 is the best choice for now (over 220 F), due to both plastic material compositions and costing associated with high temperature materials. |
| Air Flow: |
Advantage: Metal |
| The most open metal belts have better vertical air flow than the most open plastic belts, but most air flow 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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