Materials Of Conveyor Belt Idlers

Common materials for conveyor belt idlers include polymer materials, metal materials, ceramic materials, and rubber materials. Each material has its own unique properties and applicable scenarios.

Polymer materials
Polymer materials such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) have excellent wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and self-lubrication. The wear resistance of UHMWPE is 5-7 times that of carbon steel or stainless steel, which can extend the service life under harsh working conditions and reduce the cost of frequent replacement. In addition, it also has good corrosion resistance and is suitable for corrosive environments such as cement plants and coal mines. However, the pipe body strength of polymer materials is relatively low, which is easy to be damaged on high-capacity belts, and the procurement cost is high.

Metal materials
Among metal materials, steel rollers and stainless steel rollers are the most common. Steel rollers are high in strength, impact-resistant, mature in technology, and relatively low in price, and are suitable for ordinary conveying occasions. However, steel rollers are prone to rust and corrosion, have poor wear resistance, and have high maintenance costs. Stainless steel rollers have good corrosion resistance and are rust-free, and are suitable for environments with high requirements for sanitary conditions, such as the food and pharmaceutical industries. However, they are expensive, have poor wear resistance, and are heavy, making maintenance and replacement inconvenient.

Ceramic materials
Ceramic materials such as ceramic rollers are corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, rust-free, and anti-aging, and are suitable for environments with high temperatures, strong corrosion, and severe wear, such as cement plants and steel plants. Ceramic rollers have a long service life, but they are heavy and fragile, difficult to transport and replace, and are more damaging to the belt.

Rubber materials
Rubber rollers have certain elasticity and buffering properties, which can reduce the impact and noise of materials on the conveyor belt. It is suitable for occasions where there are requirements for buffering performance and the impact of conveying materials is large, such as transfer points in coal mines and loading and unloading areas in ports. However, rubber materials have poor oil resistance and acid resistance, are prone to aging after long-term use, and have a limited service life.