Metal vs Plastic Belts

The use of metal belts on spirals have been around since 1967 and are a know factor for their abilities and limitations. The first plastic spiral belt was installed in 1987 so metal has more experience, although in straight running applications plastic belts have proven to outwear metal by a 3:1 factor. Time will tell if this also applies to spiral radius belts.

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As of this writing, the strongest plastic belts are 550 lbs on plastic and 500 lbs on metal. Not all plastic or metal styles carry this rating. As strength itself is not the most critical factor (it is the radius weight rating which is), plastic belts have an advantage over metal. 

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Plastic belts weigh:

Metal belts weigh:

• Rod type                        1.85 lbs/sq. ft

• Flex type                        3.2lbs/sq. ft

• Mesh Overlay type       3.05 lbs/sq.ft

In weights, the lighter the better (assuming no strength loss). Plastics have it over metal. 

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Plastic belts are not subject to work hardening as metal belts are, so the continuous cycling of the belt though the spiral does not have the same detrimental affect on the plastic as it does on metal.

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Metal belts (various styles) have collapse factors of:

• 2.2 to 1

• 1.7 to 1

• 1.5 to 1

• 1.1 to 1

Current Plastic belts have collapse factors of:

• 2.2 to 1

• 1.7 to 1

A smaller collapse factor in a belt gives you a smaller footprint (smaller cage diameter possibilities), so metal has it over plastic (today). 

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The most open metal belts (rod type) have more open area then the most open plastic belts.

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The most open metal belts (rod type) are easier to clean than the most open plastic belts due to their construction.

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