Vulcanized splice is accepted form of joining method for two belt ends. It forms a continuous conveyor system. Both steel and fabric cables are used to handle bulk material. There are many variations in the fabric carcass belts and steel cable belts resulting in the tensile and strength requirements. Special vulcanization techniques are required for various rubber materials. There are number of specialty systems demanding specific splicing configurations. Various conveyor belt vulcanizing methods have to be verified to check which is the most suitable.

Factors for vulcanization process

Consider the belt condition. It will determine the splice requirements. Based on the belt specifications is determined the rubber, breaker fabric and proper cements are considered. The splice layout is decided based on the manufacturer’s design recommendations. For a more involved splice it is significant to consider the design.

For multiple fabric carcass belt, straight splice can be ensured with belt squaring. It ensures compatibility and strength. In certain systems 45 degree bias angle is required while in the case of others there is no angle required. It is important to determine the splice needs before starting the vulcanization process.

For the success of the belt vulcanizing, the splice has to be made of the original material of the belt. When the exact match is not available, compatible materials have to be used. Incase the belt is correctly squared, stripped without any fabric damage with the right step length and right materials, the vulcanization process should use the appropriate pressure and temperature to make a good splice. The process ensures the splice is straight and strong.

Specific vulcanized splice patterns can be found in single ply belts like solid woven carcass, aramid carcass belts and straight warp carcass. Multi-ply belts considerations are stripping, squaring, fabric cutting, vulcanization temperature, material selection, vulcanization time and vulcanization pressure.