A belt is only as strong as its joint. The splice method decides how much of the belt’s strength survives at the joint, how long it lasts and how quickly the conveyor runs again.
The three methods compared
| Hot vulcanised | Cold bonded | Mechanical fasteners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Highest | Good | Lowest |
| Belt life at the joint | Longest | Long | Shorter |
| Time to make | Hours | Hours | Minutes |
| Needs a press | Yes | No | No |
| Seals fines | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best for | Main lines, high ratings | Lighter duty, repairs | Short or portable conveyors |
Doing it right
- Cut the ends square to the belt’s centre line, not its edge.
- Use joint materials matched to the cover grade, especially for heat and fire resistant belts.
- Let hot and cold joints cure fully before loading.
- Use a trained jointing crew; most early belt failures start at the joint.
Hot vulcanised splices
The two belt ends are stepped down ply by ply, overlapped, filled with uncured rubber and cured under heat and pressure in a portable vulcanising press. The result is a joint close to the belt in strength, smooth on both faces, and sealed against water and fines.
It needs the press, power, trained jointers and several hours, so it is planned into a shutdown. For main line conveyors and any belt above about 400 kN/m it is the standard choice.
Cold bonded splices
The same stepped preparation, but bonded with a cold-curing adhesive instead of a press. No heavy equipment is needed and the joint is well sealed, but it reaches less of the belt’s strength than a hot splice and takes time to cure fully. Good for lighter duty belts, remote sites and repairs.
Mechanical fasteners
Metal plates or hinges bolted or riveted through the belt ends. Fitted in minutes with hand tools, which makes them ideal for short, portable or frequently changed conveyors and for emergency repairs. They are the weakest joint, let fines fall through, and need pulleys large enough for the fastener and belt thickness.
Questions
Which conveyor belt joint is strongest?
A hot vulcanised splice is the strongest and longest lasting, and the standard choice for main line conveyors and high rated belts.
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Length, lift, width, speed, capacity and the material. We reply with the rating, covers and grade, a datasheet and a quotation, usually the same working day.