Page 37 - ConveyorBeltMaintenanceManual2010

BEST PRACTICE NO. 4
Allow cements and solvent to dry completely
before assembling the splice. When checking
the cement for wetness/dryness, never use the
palm of the hand or the palm side of the
fingers. Oils may be transferred to the surface,
which may reduce the adhesion value in this
area. It is recommended to use the back side
of the fingers.
When a belt splice is assembled and cured before the cement has had sufficient time to dry, the heat from the
vulcanizer will cause the solvents and carriers in the cement to vaporize and form bubbles / blisters. These bubbles /
blisters are called “ply and/or cover blows.” They will prevent adhesion between the plies and covers. If the surface
area of the ply or cover blow is large enough and/or numerous, the strength of the splice is severely limited.
Ply and cover blows can also occur when cements and solvents are not allowed to reach room temperature after
removal from cold storage because water condensation occurred on the cold surface.
Reliable splicers will allow sufficient time for cements to dry before assembly and for cold materials to warm up.
Additionally, conscientious splicers will not try to accelerate the drying process by using heat guns or hair dryers, since
they can cause a skin to form on the surface of still-wet cements. Space heaters may be used to accelerate cement-
drying time, as long as safety is not compromised in any way.
BEST PRACTICE NO. 5
Avoid over-prodding the fabric
when lifting the plies.
The right tools and methods will ensure that the fabric
plies are not damaged when they are lifted. Prodding
tools must have smooth, rounded corners. Prodding
tools should be checked for possible burrs or nicks
before each use.
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INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
t e n b e s t p r a c t i c e s i n c o n v e y o r b e l t s p l i c i n g