Vulcanization of Rubber Conveyor Belts with Metallic Insertion Using Ultrasounds

For increasing the life of conveyor belts, it requires a vulcanization joint of them, so that, in the joint area, physical and mechanical characteristics must be the same or very close to the rest of the conveyor belt. Conveyor belts with rubber matrix and embedded metallic insertions are working in very difficult operating conditions and thus their jointing require to take place in optimal conditions. Researches have taken into consideration the type of ATRBZ rubber conveyor belts reinforced with embedded metallic insertions. To observe the effect of applying ultrasound on vulcanization process, there were considered two distinct processes, namely one in which ultrasonic energy is not used, and one in which the process is activated ultrasonic, with frequencies in the range of 17-19 / kHz. Applying ultrasound showed a vulcanized joint of conveyor belts with embedded metallic insertions have superior characteristics in comparison with those obtained when not using ultrasound. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.