Polyurethane is the timing belt material of choice for BRECOflex because of its unsurpassed versatility and long-lasting performance. With 11 types of polyurethane belt materials, BRECOflex has the variety needed to meet the specific requirements of your application.
This comprehensive guide gives you the details of different polyurethane timing belt materials, the applications they’re best suited for, and how to choose the right one for your design.
There are several advantages to using polyurethane timing belts over alternatives like chains or neoprene belts. In general, timing belts that use polyurethane materials are abrasion resistant, resistant to several chemical and environmental exposures, and require very little maintenance. But there are several additional benefits to using polyurethane timing belts, including:
Finding the right timing belt material is all about matching the belt’s performance characteristics to an application’s operating conditions. BRECOflex uses TPU-ST1, a high-quality white polyurethane, as the standard material for most of its belts because it offers excellent performance in most applications. But plenty of use cases require materials optimized for specific environments.
BRECOflex offers three general use polyurethane timing belt materials that are designed for a wide range of industrial applications. While all three materials deliver the durability, precision, and versatility polyurethane is known for, there are some key differences between them that dictate what applications they are best for.
The table below outlines the characteristics of the general use polyurethane timing belt material options:
For most applications, TPU-ST1 provides an excellent balance of strength and environmental resistance, providing reliable and precise performance. TPU-ST2 is better suited for applications that require increased flexibility, grip, and hydrolysis resistance. When FDA compliance is necessary, TPU-ST3 is an appropriate choice.
Looking for more detailed specifications? You can find the data sheets for these polyurethane options below:
Applications in the food or pharmaceutical and medical industries require timing belt materials that meet strict health and hygiene standards. For these environments, there are three FDA-compliant, food-grade polyurethane materials that are designed to withstand cleaning and provide reliable performance.
While all three of these polyurethane materials meet FDA requirements, they are optimized for different operating conditions. TPU-FDA1 is a general-purpose food-grade polyurethane that offers the same hardness and temperature range as the standard BRECOflex belting material while being FDA compliant. TPU-FDA2 is softer with higher friction, making it well suited for precise indexing or inclined conveying in FDA-regulated environments.
TPU-AU1 is designed specifically for applications that require continuous or frequent cleaning, like poultry and meat handling lines. This material is dyed blue and used for our BRECOprotect® belts, which utilize fully encapsulated carbon steel tension members and sealed edges to further withstand washdown environments.
Use the data sheets below to find more information about BRECOflex food-grade polyurethane options:
If the ambient temperature of an application is lower than 0°C (32°F), it’s best to use a polyurethane timing belt material that is optimized for colder conditions. Otherwise, the belt can become brittle or cracked, leading to total belt failure and potential product loss. BRECOflex has two low-temperature polyurethane options:
TPU-KF1 and TPU-KF2 differ mostly in their hardness and temperature rating. TPU-KF2 can handle temperatures as low as –30°C (-22°F), and is slightly softer, making it better for very low temperature settings that require additional flexibility.
Low ambient temperature polyurethane material data sheets are available for more information:
Using a polyurethane timing belt in an environment that exceeds its temperature rating can cause the belt to soften and permanently deform, reducing its strength and accelerating wear. BRECOflex offers one high temperature polyurethane timing belt material for applications where the ambient temperature reaches over 80°C (176°F).
Friction between timing belts and pulleys, rollers, or conveyed products can generate arc charges that have the potential to damage sensitive electronics, interfere with sensors, or impact performance by causing materials to cling to the belt. BRECOflex has two anti-static timing belt material options to minimize electrostatic charge and avoid problem scenarios:
Download the data sheets below for more information about anti-static polyurethane options from BRECOflex:
All of the polyurethane types used to make BRECOflex timing belts can also be used to make profiles (or cleats) that help move or position products in conveying drives. There are also a few polyurethane materials that BRECOflex uses specifically for profiles.
Factors like temperature exposure, cleaning requirements, regulatory compliance, and environmental conditions all play a role in which timing belt material will maximize reliability and efficiency in an application. Finding a solution that balances all of a system’s needs is critical to longevity and performance, but it can be difficult to determine what to prioritize.
If you’re not sure where to start the timing belt material selection process, BRECOflex can help. Our application engineering team offers free design support to help you understand the differences between materials, so you can extend belt life, reduce maintenance, and get the consistent performance you need from your drive components.