How does vulcanization increase the wear resistance of rubber flat belts

Rubber flat belts play a vital role in industrial transmission and conveying systems, and their performance is directly related to the working efficiency and service life of the equipment. Among the many factors that affect the performance of rubber flat belts, wear resistance is undoubtedly a key indicator. Vulcanization, as the core process in the manufacturing process of rubber flat belts, significantly improves the wear resistance of rubber through a series of chemical reactions and physical changes.

Overview of vulcanization process
Vulcanization is the process of heating rubber and vulcanizing agent (usually sulfur) under high temperature conditions. In this process, a cross-linked structure is formed between the rubber molecular chains, resulting in a series of changes in physical and chemical properties. The degree of vulcanization and its conditions (including temperature, time and type of vulcanizing agent) directly affect the final performance of the rubber, especially wear resistance.

Transformation of microstructure
Unvulcanized rubber has a linear structure of molecular chains and lacks sufficient cross-linking, which makes the rubber easy to deform under external force, leading to wear and tear. During the vulcanization process, cross-links are formed between the rubber molecular chains to build a three-dimensional network structure. This cross-linked structure makes the molecular chains of rubber no longer a simple linear arrangement, significantly enhancing its overall strength and toughness.

Improvement of tensile strength and tear strength
The vulcanized rubber flat belt exhibits higher tensile strength and tear strength. Tensile strength refers to the ability of a material to resist breaking when stretched, while tear strength refers to the ability of a material to resist tearing. The vulcanization process forms a cross-linked structure, which enables the rubber to disperse and absorb stress more effectively when subjected to external forces, thereby reducing the risk of wear and tear.

Mechanism of enhanced wear resistance
The mechanism of vulcanization to enhance the wear resistance of rubber is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Crosslinking of molecular chains: The formation of cross-linked structures makes the molecular chains of rubber more compact, reducing the slippage and deformation of molecular chains during friction, thereby effectively reducing wear.
Increase in hardness: Vulcanization usually leads to an increase in the hardness of rubber. Increased hardness means that the rubber is not easy to deform when subjected to external forces, thereby reducing the possibility of wear.
Enhancement of cohesion: The vulcanization process increases the cohesion between rubber molecular chains. The increase in cohesion makes the rubber less likely to peel off and wear under friction.

Improvement of anti-oxidation and heat resistance
Unvulcanized rubber is prone to aging in high temperature and oxidative environments, resulting in decreased performance and thus reduced wear resistance. The vulcanization process significantly enhances the rubber's anti-oxidation and heat resistance, allowing the rubber flat belt to maintain good wear resistance under extreme working conditions. By adding antioxidants and appropriate vulcanizing agents, the rubber's anti-aging properties can be further improved to ensure its stability in long-term use.