Polyurethane belts, also referred to as urethane belting, are formed from an elastic polymer, or elastomer, that contains urethane carbamate links. Polyurethane offers many advantages for belting applications, due to its durability, abrasion resistance, toughness and flexibility. In addition, polyurethane is a FDA and USDA-approved food-grade material, making polyurethane belts ideal for food handling applications, as well as medical.
Related Categories

Polyurethane belts are widely used as conveyor belts, and are most commonly o-ring, or round, belts, meaning the belt is designed to run in a pulley with a near circular groove. Round polyurethane belts are utilized in industries such as: petrochemical and agricultural, due to high chemical and oil resistance; industrial manufacturing, for most material handling applications; and automotive, for power transmission and drive belt applications. Polyurethane belts may also be flat belts or vee belts, which are beneficial for powering rollers; however, round belts are the most efficient material handling form. Some additional benefits of polyurethane belts include cost-efficiency, elimination of a belt tensioner and quick fabrication. However, there are some downsides, since they do not work well for high-precision or heavy duty applications or in extremely high temperatures such as above 230ºF or in cold temperatures of around -10ºF or below.
Polyurethane can formed into belting through various processes, including molding and extrusion. Typically open casted, a curative is introduced to the polyurethane in order to complete the polymeric transition. Accelerated by heat, the polyurethane is poured into a mold cavity and cured to form the final shape. For extrusion, polyurethane is processed through a screw extruding machine that consists of a heated shearing screw conveyor or twin screw conveyor and a die through which the heated and pressurized polyurethane is squeezed. The polyurethane enters the screw conveyor channel by way of an attached hopper, after which it is softened through heating and shearing, and then pressurized through the rotation of a screw. The pressure pushes the polyurethane through the die, located at the end of the machine. The polyurethane then emerges in a profile resembling the die shape, which is either round or flat cross sectional. The extruded polyurethane or cast polyurethane is then cut to the desired length and the ends are thermally welded together. For longer service life, virgin urethane is often used; however, recycled urethane, or regrind, can be used to enhance machinability and weldability, but decreases service life. The average service life of a polyurethane belt made using high-quality materials can be up to 12 years, although a life span of 4-6 years is more common.