Thermal Aging Effect on the Physio-Mechanical Properties of Textiles Used for the Reinforcement of Conveyor Belts

Abstract

The use of textiles produced from high tenacity(HT) polyester yarns as a reinforcement material in the mechanical rubber goods industries, mainly in the conveyor belt, is extensively increasing due to their high tensile strength, flexibility, thermal stability, modulus of elasticity, and light weightiness. To achieve the desired property of a conveyor belt, the reinforcement components undergo various processing stages; among those stages vulcanizing the reinforcement materials under high temperatures is the crucial process that determines the physical and mechanical properties of the conveyor belt. The main aim of this work was to analyze the effect of vulcanization parameters on the physio-mechanical properties of high tenacity polyester yarns and fabrics that are utilized to reinforce a conveyor belt. An extensive experimental study was conducted on a pre-activated HT polyester yarn of different linear densities and woven fabrics produced for the purpose of conveyor belt reinforcement by subjecting the yarns and fabrics to various aging temperatures for a certain period of aging time. Following the experiments, a comprehensive study and analysis were conducted on the tensile property of the yarns and fabrics. The finding revealed that thermal aging has an immense impact on determining the tensile strength and elongation of the yarn and woven fabric, which also has a direct influence on the properties of the conveyor belt. The analysis of experimental test results of polyester yarns and woven fabrics revealed that vulcanizing textile-reinforced conveyor belt at high temperatures (220 °C) could deteriorate the tensile strength and increase the elongation at break of the yarn, fabric, or belt.