Fabric Core Conveyor Belt
Fabric Core Conveyor Belt
Dahan Fabric Core Conveyor Belt is designed for continuous bulk material conveying. NN and EP fabric constructions are available with different strength grades, ply configurations, cover thicknesses, and belt widths.
Fabric Core Conveyor Belt: Types, Specifications and Selection Guide
A Fabric Core Conveyor Belt is a rubber conveyor belt reinforced with one or more layers of textile fabric. The fabric carcass provides tensile strength, flexibility, and structural support, while rubber covers protect the belt from abrasion, impact, moisture, and other operating conditions.
Fabric core conveyor belts are widely used for bulk material conveying in mining, coal handling, cement, aggregates, power plants, metallurgy, and ports. Common carcass constructions include NN nylon fabric and EP polyester/nylon fabric.
What Is a Fabric Core Conveyor Belt?
A fabric core conveyor belt is a rubber conveyor belt whose load-bearing carcass is made from textile fabric. It is also commonly called a fabric conveyor belt or fabric-reinforced conveyor belt.
A typical multi-ply construction consists of top cover rubber, textile fabric plies, bonding rubber between the plies, and bottom cover rubber. The textile carcass carries the belt tension, while the covers protect the reinforcement during operation.
NN fabric uses nylon in both the warp and weft directions. EP fabric uses polyester in the warp direction and nylon in the weft direction. These constructions offer different combinations of flexibility, elongation, impact resistance, and dimensional stability.
For a specific belt configuration, see the fabric reinforced conveyor belt page.
Types of Fabric Core Conveyor Belts
Nylon / NN Fabric Core
NN fabric uses nylon in both warp and weft directions. It is commonly selected when flexibility, impact resistance, and good troughing performance are important.
NN construction can be suitable for bulk material systems involving repeated belt flexing or impact at loading points.
Polyester / EP Fabric Core
EP fabric combines polyester in the warp direction with nylon in the weft direction. It is generally selected when lower elongation and good dimensional stability are important.
EP construction is widely used for medium- and long-distance conveying where stable belt dimensions are required.
What Do NN and EP Mean?
NN means nylon in both warp and weft directions.
EP means polyester in the warp direction and nylon in the weft direction.
The fabric designation alone does not determine the complete belt specification. Strength grade, ply number, belt width, cover thickness, pulley diameter, and operating conditions must also be considered.
Fabric Core Conveyor Belt Specifications
Dahan publishes several fabric-reinforced belt configurations with different cover thicknesses, total thicknesses, weights, and widths. The following are reference configurations; the final specification should be confirmed according to the actual conveyor application.
|
Belt Type |
Top Cover |
Bottom Cover |
Total Thickness |
Weight |
Belt Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DH 160/2 |
2 mm |
1 mm |
4.6 mm |
5.6 kg/m² |
300–1300 mm |
|
DH 200/2 |
2 mm |
1.5 mm |
5.6 mm |
6.4 kg/m² |
300–1400 mm |
|
DH 250/2 |
3 mm |
1 mm |
6.3 mm |
7.7 kg/m² |
400–1600 mm |
|
DH 250/2 |
3 mm |
1.5 mm |
6.8 mm |
8.0 kg/m² |
400–1400 mm |
|
DH 315/2 |
4 mm |
1.5 mm |
7.9 mm |
9.4 kg/m² |
500–1600 mm |
|
DH 315/3 |
3 mm |
1.5 mm |
7.3 mm |
8.2 kg/m² |
800 mm |
|
DH 400/2 |
3 mm |
1 mm |
6.7 mm |
8.5 kg/m² |
650–1600 mm |
|
DH 400/2 |
5 mm |
1.5 mm |
9.4 mm |
11.3 kg/m² |
650–1600 mm |
Fabric conveyor belts are also commonly specified by strength classes such as NN100, NN125, NN160, NN200, NN250, NN300, NN350, NN400 and higher grades. Commercial specifications may also include EP grades such as EP100, EP150, EP200, EP250, EP300, EP400 and EP500. Available grades, ply ranges, widths, and cover configurations vary by manufacturer.
Understanding Fabric Belt Strength Grades
Fabric belt strength is commonly expressed in N/mm, indicating nominal longitudinal tensile strength per unit belt width.
Designations such as NN250 or EP500 identify the fabric construction and nominal strength class. Ply number is specified separately, and the required combination depends on the maximum belt tension and conveyor design.
For selection, strength grade, number of plies, belt width, cover thickness, pulley arrangement, and operating conditions should be considered together.
NN vs. EP Fabric Conveyor Belt
|
Feature |
Nylon / NN |
Polyester / EP |
|---|---|---|
|
Warp |
Nylon |
Polyester |
|
Weft |
Nylon |
Nylon |
|
Flexibility |
Generally higher |
Good |
|
Elongation |
Generally higher |
Generally lower |
|
Dimensional stability |
Good |
Generally higher |
|
Impact resistance |
Good to high |
Good |
|
Troughing performance |
Depends on construction |
Depends on construction |
|
Typical selection |
Flexible or impact-prone conveying |
Stable, lower-elongation conveying |
NN is generally considered when flexibility and impact resistance are important, while EP is commonly selected when lower elongation and dimensional stability are priorities. Final selection should be based on the complete conveyor system.
Key Advantages of Fabric Core Conveyor Belts
Flexibility and Troughing
Textile carcasses provide the flexibility required for repeated bending and can form a stable trough when properly matched with belt width, tension, and idler arrangement.
Impact Resistance
The multi-ply textile carcass can distribute loads through the belt structure, making fabric belts suitable for many bulk material loading conditions.
Multiple Strength and Cover Options
Different fabric grades, ply configurations, and rubber cover compounds allow the belt to be matched to different conveying requirements.
Applications of Fabric Core Conveyor Belts
Mining and Quarrying
Fabric belts can convey coal, ore, stone, sand, gravel, and other bulk materials. Appropriate abrasion and impact resistance can be selected according to the application.
Coal Handling
Coal conveying systems require suitable belt width, tensile strength, cover protection, belt speed, and operating temperature.
Cement and Aggregates
Fabric belts are suitable for limestone, aggregates, sand, and other bulk materials. Abrasion-resistant cover rubber may be required for severe wear conditions.
Metallurgy, Power and Ports
Fabric belts are used for raw materials, coal, coke, ore, and other bulk solids in power plants, metallurgical facilities, ports, and bulk terminals.
For elevated-temperature applications, a heat resistant conveyor belt may be considered. For heavy bulk material handling, see the heavy duty conveyor belt page.
How to Choose a Fabric Core Conveyor Belt？
Conveyed Material
Consider material type, particle size, bulk density, moisture, temperature, and abrasiveness.
Belt Width and Capacity
Belt width should match required conveying capacity, material size, belt speed, loading conditions, and troughing arrangement.
Maximum Belt Tension
Required tensile strength depends on conveyor length, incline, material load, acceleration, take-up arrangement, and maximum operating tension.
Fabric Type and Ply
Choose NN or EP according to flexibility, elongation, dimensional stability, impact conditions, and conveyor arrangement. Select strength grade and ply number according to the required belt tension.
Cover Rubber
Select the cover according to abrasion, heat, oil, flame, chemical exposure, and other working conditions.
Pulley and Conveyor Conditions
Consider pulley diameter, belt speed, loading point design, take-up type, idler arrangement, and operating temperature.
For heavy-duty mining applications, the mining conveyor belt page provides an additional reference.
Request a Fabric Core Conveyor Belt
Dahan can recommend a suitable fabric core conveyor belt according to your conveyor requirements.
For a quotation, provide the belt width, belt length, conveying material, capacity, belt speed, required tensile strength, number of plies if known, cover requirements, operating temperature, and special working conditions.
If the exact specification is unknown, you can also provide the existing belt marking, belt photograph, conveyor drawing, or available conveyor parameters for evaluation.
FAQ
Is a nylon conveyor belt the same as an NN belt?
NN is a common designation for a nylon fabric construction in which nylon is used in both the warp and weft directions.
How many fabric plies should a conveyor belt have?
The required number of plies depends on belt tension, conveyor length, belt width, loading conditions, pulley arrangement, and carcass strength. Ply count should be selected according to the conveyor design.
What information is needed for a fabric conveyor belt quotation?
Provide belt width, length, conveying material, capacity, belt speed, required tensile strength, number of plies if known, cover requirements, operating temperature, and special working conditions.
Can fabric core belts be used for abrasive materials?
Yes. Fabric core belts can be configured with suitable abrasion-resistant cover rubber for materials such as ore, coal, stone, and gravel. Cover grade and thickness should be selected according to the application.
