The Difference between Polyurethane Synchronous Belt And Rubber Synchronous Belt

Synchronous belt is a widely used transmission component in mechanical transmission systems, which is highly favored for its high-precision and high-efficiency transmission characteristics. Among the types of synchronous belts, polyurethane synchronous belts and rubber synchronous belts are two common types. They have certain differences in materials, properties, applications, and other aspects. This article will provide a detailed comparative analysis of polyurethane synchronous belts and rubber synchronous belts, in order for readers to better understand the differences between the two.

1、 Material composition

Polyurethane synchronous belt, as the name suggests, is mainly made of polyurethane (PU). Polyurethane is a polymer compound with excellent wear resistance, tear resistance, and elasticity, which makes polyurethane synchronous belts have excellent stability and durability during transmission. In addition, polyurethane synchronous belts also have good oil resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, which can maintain stable transmission performance in various harsh environments.

The rubber synchronous belt is mainly made of rubber as the main material. Rubber synchronous belts have good elasticity and toughness, and can withstand large tension and bending forces. However, compared with polyurethane, rubber has poor wear resistance and tear resistance, making rubber synchronous belts prone to wear and damage during long-term use. In addition, rubber synchronous belts have weak resistance to oils and chemicals, making them susceptible to erosion and affecting their service life.

2、 Transmission performance

Polyurethane synchronous belts perform excellently in terms of transmission performance. Due to its material characteristics, polyurethane synchronous belts have high transmission accuracy and stability, which can ensure the accurate operation of the transmission system. Meanwhile, the elastic modulus of polyurethane synchronous belts is relatively high, which reduces energy loss during the transmission process and improves transmission efficiency. In addition, polyurethane synchronous belts also have lower noise and vibration, providing a quieter and smoother operating environment for mechanical equipment.

In contrast, the transmission performance of rubber synchronous belts is slightly inferior. Due to the low elastic modulus of rubber materials, rubber synchronous belts are prone to significant deformation during transmission, which affects transmission accuracy and stability. In addition, the transmission efficiency of rubber synchronous belts is relatively low, which is prone to significant energy loss. In terms of noise and vibration, rubber synchronous belts do not perform as well as polyurethane synchronous belts.

3、 Applicable occasions

Polyurethane synchronous belts are widely used in various high-precision and high load transmission systems due to their excellent performance. For example, in the fields of CNC machine tools, printing machinery, textile machinery, etc., polyurethane synchronous belts can play their unique advantages to ensure the stable operation of equipment. In addition, polyurethane synchronous belts are also suitable for some special occasions that require high transmission accuracy and stability, such as precision measuring instruments, automation equipment, etc.

Rubber synchronous belts are more commonly used in situations with relatively low requirements for transmission accuracy and light loads. For example, in some fields such as small mechanical equipment and household appliances, rubber synchronous belts have been widely used due to their lower cost and certain transmission performance. However, in situations where large loads are required or high-precision transmission is required, rubber synchronous belts may not be able to meet the requirements.

4、 Service life and maintenance

Polyurethane synchronous belts have a long service life and can operate stably for a long time in high load and high-speed working environments. At the same time, due to its material characteristics, polyurethane synchronous belt has good anti-aging performance and can maintain stable performance in the long-term use. In terms of maintenance, polyurethane synchronous belts are relatively simple and only require regular cleaning and inspection.

The service life of rubber synchronous belts is relatively short, especially in harsh working environments, where their wear and aging rate will accelerate. In addition, rubber synchronous belts also require more attention in maintenance, such as regular inspection and replacement, and maintaining cleanliness.

5、 Summary

The difference between polyurethane synchronous belt and rubber synchronous belt:

1. The difference in material is obvious. Rubber synchronous belts use rubber as the production raw material, while polyurethane synchronous belts use polyurethane.

2. Rubber synchronous belts with different hardness are relatively softer compared to polyurethane synchronous belts. The hardness of rubber synchronous belts and polyurethane synchronous belts is about 65 degrees Shore and 92 degrees Shore, respectively.

3. The application of different rubber synchronous belts is relatively more extensive, and the manufacturing cost is also relatively low. The application of polyurethane synchronous belts has certain limitations, but in certain specific situations, the characteristic of polyurethane synchronous belts not producing dust makes its advantages more prominent. Industries such as food, medicine, beverage recycling, electronics, etc. that require dust usually use polyurethane synchronous belts.

4. The production process of rubber synchronous belts varies, including processes such as rubber compounding, mixing, and vulcanization, which are relatively more complicated. However, the process of polyurethane synchronous belts is simpler. TPU type synchronous belts are usually directly extruded by extrusion machines, while CPU type products can be produced using casting method.

5. The wear resistance of rubber synchronous belts is usually not as good as that of polyurethane synchronous belts. In terms of acid and alkali resistance and other chemical substances, polyurethane synchronous belts are also superior.

There are significant differences between polyurethane synchronous belts and rubber synchronous belts in terms of materials, performance, and application. Polyurethane synchronous belts are widely used in high-precision and high load transmission systems due to their excellent performance, while rubber synchronous belts are more commonly used in situations with relatively low requirements for transmission accuracy and light loads. When selecting a synchronous belt, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the actual needs and working environment in order to select the most suitable transmission components.