The importance of vulcanization in rubber flat belt production

As an indispensable transmission and conveying component in modern industry, the performance of rubber flat belts has a direct impact on the efficiency and service life of mechanical equipment. In the production process of rubber flat belts, the vulcanization process is a key link, which profoundly affects the physical and chemical properties of rubber.

The basic principle of the vulcanization process is to react rubber with a vulcanizing agent (usually sulfur) under high temperature. This process causes the formation of a cross-linked structure between rubber molecules, thereby significantly enhancing its physical properties. The degree and conditions of vulcanization will directly determine the performance of the final product, including key indicators such as elasticity, wear resistance, heat resistance and aging resistance.

In the unvulcanized state, the molecular chain of the rubber material is linear and lacks sufficient cross-linking, resulting in insufficient elasticity and strength. Through vulcanization, the cross-linking between the rubber molecular chains significantly improves the elasticity and recovery ability of the rubber. This enhanced elasticity enables the rubber flat belt to effectively absorb shock and vibration in practical applications, extend its service life and improve transmission efficiency.

During operation, rubber flat belts often face the challenges of friction and wear, especially under high loads and high-speed operation. Vulcanized rubber has higher wear resistance and can resist wear and tear, which reduces the frequency of replacement and maintenance costs. This is particularly important for industrial applications, as frequent maintenance and replacement can lead to production stagnation and increase operating costs.

In addition, the performance of rubber flat belts in high temperature environments is also crucial. Unvulcanized rubber is prone to deformation and loss of elasticity under high temperature conditions, while the vulcanization process significantly improves the heat resistance of rubber, allowing it to maintain good performance in high temperature environments. This is particularly important for industries such as food processing and chemicals, where the production process is often accompanied by high-temperature operations.

In long-term use, rubber materials will be affected by environmental factors such as oxygen, ozone and ultraviolet rays, resulting in performance degradation and aging. The vulcanization process can improve the oxidation resistance of rubber, thereby delaying the aging process. By reasonably adding antioxidants and appropriate vulcanizers, the aging resistance of rubber can be further enhanced to ensure that the rubber flat belt can maintain excellent performance after long-term use.

It is worth noting that vulcanization not only improves the elasticity and wear resistance of rubber, but also improves the overall physical properties. The vulcanized rubber flat belt has excellent performance in tensile strength, tear strength and compression set, etc. These performance improvements enable the rubber flat belt to withstand greater loads and higher working strength, meeting the needs of diverse industrial applications.