VULCANIZED SPLICING

FOR FABRIC
CONVEYOR BELTS
VSFB-001

VULCANIZED SPLICING
FOR
FABRIC CONVEYOR BELTS

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 2
2 STANDARD SPLICE PATTERN ............................................................................................................. 3
3 SPLICING MATERIALS .......................................................................................................................... 6
4 PREPARATION....................................................................................................................................... 7
5 SPLICING PROCEDURE........................................................................................................................ 7
6 SPECIAL INSTRUCTION OF HEAT-RESISTANT CONVEYOR BELTS ............................................. 23
7 VULCANIZING PROCESS.................................................................................................................... 27

BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION reserves the right to change or amend information given

herein without notice.
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1 INTRODUCTION

A vulcanized splice has many advantages such as

(a) Prevention of tear hazard
(b) A tight joint to hold material
(c) Greater joint strength

This catalogue provides a comprehensive step-by-step illustrative guide to the splicing method for both
Nylon and Polyester fabric conveyor belts.

Top Cover Rubber

Edge Rubber

Coating Rubber

Fabric (Nylon or Polyester)

Bottom Cover Rubber

FIGURE 1: Cross-section View of a Conventional Construction Fabric Belt

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2 STANDARD SPLICE PATTERN

The standard splice pattern here is explained by means of a 4-ply belt:

Top Cover Rubber Cement,

Coating Rubber
Running Direction
100 mm
Nylon S S S
Cloth
3 to 5 mm

45°

100mm

Nylon Cloth
Rubber Cement,
Coating Rubber
Bottom Cover
FIGURE 2

Ls

S S S

17° or
22.5°

FIGURE 3

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Note: Refer to Appendix I for details on step lengths, S

Figure 4 below shows a detailed diagram of the splice steps:
Belt Travel

θ
22.5°
or
17.5°
(DIN)

50m
Bias Length, A

Top Cover A = 0.414B

Rubber 45° θ = 22.5˚ or 17˚

Bottom Cover
Rubber

Top Cover
Belt Travel

Step End of 1st Ply

Step End of 2nd Ply

Step End of 3rd Ply

Step End of 4th Ply

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Bottom Cover

Nylon Cloth Cover

Fill-in Top Cover Rubber
45°

Bottom Cover
Cover Rubber Nylon Cloth Fill-in
It is not used when cover rubber
is 1.5mm or less.

FIGURE 4

It is necessary to make splice so that the bottom side biased joint leads over the head pulley. The
relationship between belt travel and step-making are illustrated in Figure 5 below:

50 10

Remove 60mm
wide Cover Strip
22.5° Top
Belt Travel 17.5° Cover
(DIN) Base Line of
Steps

Bias Length 60

Top Cover
Rubber 45° Cut 1st Ply with knife

Bottom
FIGURE 5 Cover Rubber
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3 SPLICING MATERIALS
MATERIALS APPLICATION
Cover Rubber Fill-in for top and bottom cover
Coating Rubber Adhesion between plies
Nylon Cloth Pasting under cover rubber
Rubber Cement Cementing
Toluene Solvent for cleaning materials and splice area. To be prepared at local site.
Releasing Fabric Release between cover rubber and heat plates. Available upon request.
Polyethylene Sheet Place underneath belt when forming. Available upon request

Cover Rubber
Impact Flame Oil
Materials Heat Resistant Abrasion
& Cut Resistant Resistant
General
Oil Ace H,
F110 A110 SF180 A2000 AS-A FX-S JIS, DIN
L, G
Cover
W10 H12 Z12 Q11 U10 Y10 X10 F10 L14
Rubber
Coating
S20 H20 H20 Q23 Q23 S20 S20 S20 S20
Rubber
Nylon
E41 N/A N/A N/A N/A E41 E41 E41 E41
Cloth
Rubber
S90 H90 H90 Q93 Q93 S90 S90 S90 S90
Cement

Rubber Low Temperature Normal Temperature High Temperature

Material Code
Type (Below 10˚C(50˚F)) (Below 30˚C(86˚F)) (Below 40˚C(104˚F))
W10,X10,Y10,
Cover 12 months 9 months 6 months
L14,Q11,U10
Rubber
F10,H12,Z12 9 months 6 months 4 months
Q23 12 months 9 months 6 months
Coating
H20 9 months 6 months 4 months
Rubber
S20 12 months 6 months※ 4 months
Q93 12 months 9 months 6 months
Rubber
H90 9 months 6 months 4 months
Cement
S90 12 months 6 months※ 4 months
Nylon
E41 12 months 9 months 6 months
Cloth

Note:
(a) The above shelf life is subject to the materials stored at the condition below:
− Away from sunshine and heat
− Store in a dark and cool place with the temperature of less than 30oC, preferably in a refrigerator.
When the materials are taken out from refrigerator, remove moisture on the surface completely.
Please refer to Bridgestone Splicing Material Storage Manual for more detail.
(b) The shelf life period is shown on a label attached to the splicing materials.
(c) Please consult the details of the material code and the dimensions of the material with Bridgestone.
(d) The information contained herein is subject to change without prior notice.
※ When it is manufactured between April~July, its shelf life is 4 months; while if it is in March or August, its
shelf life is 5 months.

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4 PREPARATION
Set a working table on the frame of the conveyor and at the same level as the vulcanizing press:

Belt Travel Direction

Belt
Belt

Working Table

Wooden Board Vulcanizing Press

(20 to 50 mm thick)
FIGURE 6

5 SPLICING PROCEDURE
(1) Determination of Center Line:

Center
Line
Belt
Width

1 m or over 0.5 m 0.5 m 1 m or over

FIGURE 7

After marking the center points (X), draw a center line as shown above.

(2) Determination of Cut-off Line, Base Line and Bias Line

• Calculate the step length (S) and mark the distance along both edges of the belt starting from the
cut-off line. (Refer to Appendix I for step length)
• Draw a parallel line 50mm from the last step length. This forms the outer base line and the base line.
• Draw a parallel line 10mm from the base line. This forms the inner base line.
• Repeat the procedure for the bottom side of belt.
• Refer to Figure 8 for graphical explanation.

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Cut-off Line

10 mm

Outer Inner

Belt Width
Base Line Base Line

Base Line

50
S S S

Splice Length
FIGURE 8

PHOTO 1

(3) Cut the belt along the cut-off line

PHOTO 2

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(4) Cut cover rubber along the outer and inner base lines.
Be careful not to nick the first ply.
It is advisable to cut rubber in such a way as to leave intact about a 0.5mm thick layer of rubber on the
first ply. Use ply-lifter (screw driver) to break through the remaining 0.5mm layer of rubber as shown in
Figure 9.

PHOTO 3

Outer Base Line Cutting Angle

45° 0.5mm

FIGURE 9

(5) Draw line about 15mm from the belt edge. Then, cut top cover along each line.

PHOTO 4

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(6) Loosen cover from one side with ply lifter. Take care not to damage the first ply with ply-lifter. If breaker
exists, it should be removed along with the cover.

Ply-lifter

PHOTO 5

(7) Using pliers or pincers, remove the base lines 60mm wide strip.

PHOTO 6

(8) Draw a line on top ply to identity the original step lengths at the base line.
Cut top ply along the base line with knife. Be careful not to nick the second ply.

PHOTO 7

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(9) Loosen top ply toward the end of the belt. Hold screw driver at an angle of approximately 30° to avoid
cutting the second ply.

Ply-lifter

PHOTO 8

(10) Cut top cover and top ply longitudinally up to the end of splice area in 50mm wide strips.

PHOTO 9

(11) When using a chuck, remove cover and top ply at 100~200mm strips.

PHOTO 10

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(12) Draw line for the second ply. Use ply lifter to loosen the end of the second ply. Then cut with knife in the
same manner as the first ply.

PHOTO 11

PHOTO 12

PHOTO 13

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PHOTO 14

(13) Remove the second step ply longitudinally with pincers or pliers, in about 50mm wide strips.

PHOTO 15

(14) When the last 2 plies are remaining, turn the end of the belt over and remove the 50mm wide bottom
cover rubber strip from the end of belt.

PHOTO 16

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(15) Lay the belt flat again. Trim the top cover and belt carcass at the belt edges.

PHOTO 17

(16) Repeat the process for the second half of the splice.
Be sure that the incline of base line fits in with the other end of the belt. Then make steps starting from
bottom cover toward the top cover.

PHOTO 18

(17) Fit both ends of belt after steps are made. Make sure that each step fits without any overlapping section.
A slight gap may be permissible.

PHOTO 19
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(18) Mark two center points at intervals of 1000mm on both ends, Checks that all four points are on a
straight line.

B/2 B/2

CL

B/2 B/2 B/2

500 1000

PHOTO 20

(19) Buff sectional parts and belt edges using disk sander. Buff 50mm wide filling rubber area.
Step (fabric) area does not require buffing.

PHOTO 21

PHOTO 22

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(20) Fold the belt over and buff the filling rubber and skim coat for the bottom cover in the same manner.

PHOTO 23

(21) Be sure to clean all exposed areas of the splice, removing any loose rubber or foreign material. Lay out
top side and apply two coats of cement evenly. The first coat should be applied generously and the
second should be applied after the first coat dries completely. Cementing should cover up to 25mm
beyond the cut edge of cover.

PHOTO 24

PHOTO 25

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(22) Apply cement on the bottom side.

PHOTO 26

(23) After the second coat of cement dries, fill all exposed areas of carcass with coating rubber. Clean the
exposed side of coating rubber with solvent and allow it to dry before applying to splice area. Remove
polyethylene film 10mm from the inner edge in order to make application of coating rubber easy.

PHOTO 27

(24) Apply coating rubber with care so that no wrinkling occurs. Overlap onto rubber cover by approximately
5mm. Press coating rubber onto carcass along the stepped end using hand roller. Each step in the plies
should stand out clearly so that both ends can be overlapped easily.
Trim rubber and polyethylene film near both ends of step and edges.

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(25) Remove polyethylene film 10mm from the inner edge in order to make application of coating rubber
easy.

PHOTO 28

(26) Peel polyethylene film from the end of the splice

PHOTO 29

(27) Now, apply cushion rubber to the stepped end of each ply. Make cushion rubber from the coating rubber
by lapping 3 times. Thickness is 1mm or less and width is 5mm or less. Roll out with hand roller.

PHOTO 30

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(28) Hold one end of the belt splice and lay it on the other end little by little, leaving a slight gap on both sides.

PHOTO 31

(29) Check the 4 centre marks. If they are not in a straight line, adjust the top end.

PHOTO 32

(30) Apply a 20mm wide strip of rubber to each edge of the splice. This is to correct any unevenness that
may have occurred during trimming of the edges.
Roll out strips.

PHOTO 33

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(31) Roll out the all splice area with hand roller, especially belt edges and stepped end of each ply.
(32) Apply coating rubber to the end of the exposed carcass and press down firmly with hand roller.
Remove extra rubber with knife.

PHOTO 34

(33) Peel off polyethylene film and lay 50mm wide nylon cloth on the gap. Cut it off near the edge of carcass
and press it with hand roller.
If belt has a breaker, apply full width breaker onto the nylon cloth.
Nylon Cloth is not used when cover rubber thickness is 1.5mm or less.

PHOTO 35

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(34) Lay a strip of fill-in rubber with proper gauge and width. It is better to cut the cover 5mm wider than the
gap and then buckle it in place.

PHOTO 36

PHOTO 37

(35) Trim extra rubber with finishing knife

PHOTO 38

(36) Turn the belt over and treat bottom side with the same procedure

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VULCANIZING
(1) Set edge former next to the belt edges. Edge formers must be made of steel and 0.5 to 1.0mm thinner
than the thickness of the belt.

Edge
former

PHOTO 39

(2) After spreading out the releasing fabric on the entire saddle area, assemble upper heat plate and upper
frame. Hand-tighten the stay-bolts. Clamp the entire equipment by tightening stay-bolts located at both
sides of the press.
(Make sure the upper heat plate and frame align exactly with the lower plates and frame).

(3) Connect the hose with the hydraulic pressure plate and the electric wire with the heat plate,
respectively. Apply water pressure between 0.8 and 1.0MPa. When the pressure exceeds 1.0MPa,
adjust it by using air exhaust valve located in the water pressure pump.

(4) Switch on the electricity and vulcanize the belt for a predetermined time at a temperature of 145oC
±5oC.
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6 SPECIAL INSTRUCTION OF HEAT-RESISTANT CONVEYOR BELTS

Cover Rubber: F-110 Cover Rubber (H12)

Rubber Cement (H90)

103

Top Cover Rubber

Carcass

3
Rubber Cement (H90)
Coating Rubber (H20)

• These procedures are applicable to both the top and bottom covers of the belt.
• If the splicing area is dirty, clean with toluene first. Then wait for toluene to dry completely.
• Apply rubber cement on exposed fabric and cover rubbers as shown above.
• Do not use nylon cloth.

Cover Rubber: SF-180

Coating Rubber (Q23)
Top Cover Rubber (Q11)

Coating Rubber (Q23)

Rubber Cement (Q93) Bottom Cover Rubber (Q11)

Taper at edges

(1) Take care not to nick the fabric during cutting.

(2) Make taper at edge rubber as shown. Thick edge
rubber may capture air bubbles at splicing area.
(3) Make fabric surface flat by removing as much coating
Carcass
rubber from fabric surface as possible.
(4) Make taper at edges of fabric as shown by buffing,
while avoiding top and bottom fabric.
Edge of Edge
Fabric Rubber 23
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(5) No need to clean with toluene or cement on fabric surfaces, cover rubbers or coating rubbers. Clean with
toluene only if splice area is contaminated by dust or buffing debris. In order to avoid dust, cover
cemented areas with thin polyethylene film.
(6) Apply cement (Q93) at once and dry completely. Use blower / dryer to accelerate drying rate.
(7) Air bubbles must be removed completely.
(8) When joining the prepared ends of the belt, avoid X
overlapping of fabrics.
(9) Do not expose splicing materials and splice areas to
sunlight for more than 15 minutes. If unavoidable,
cover with black polyethylene film. Do not put cover
and coating rubber as shown beside.

Without coating rubber

(10) Apply initial pressing to let air bubbles escape from the fabric and to prevent slippage of step area.
Pressure : 0.3 MPa
Air bubble to escape Top cover rubber
Temperature : Normal Temperature
Duration : 5 minutes

Bottom cover rubber

Coating rubber
Releasing fabric

(11) After initial pressing, check the splice area. If air bubbles still persist, poke small holes over entire splice
area with an awl.

X Cover Rubber
O Cover Rubber Coating
Rubber Remaining air
Coating Rubber bubbles

With Pre-form Without Pre-form

(12) Without pre-form, air bubbles might occur at splice areas.

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(13) Put releasing fabric on top and bottom sides of vulcanizers as shown below.
The bottom side is spread with a rubber sheet of 3-5mm thickness when belt thickness is 15mm or less.
The reason for this is to prevent air bubbles.
When rubber sheet is used, vulcanizing time is increased by 5 minutes.
Frame

Belt

Releasing
Fabric

Rubber sheet Heating Edge

or Belt Plate Bar

(14) In case <15mm of belt thickness, apply a 3～5mm thick of cured rubber sheet (or belt) between
releasing fabric and heating plate to avoid air bulge in splicing area.

Note: The additional vulcanizing time of 5 minutes is needed as compared to the normal vulcanizing
time, when using cured rubber sheet or belt.

(15) Set edge formers next to the belt edges. The edge formers should be thinner than the total belt
thickness by 0.5mm to 1.0mm.

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Notes:

(1) Splice materials for SF-180:

- Only genuine Bridgestone materials should be used.
- Spicing kits are always supplied in packages so that customer will not mix them up with other
materials.

(2) Rubber cement (Q93)

- This rubber cement is for SF-180 only.
- Do not mix with other cement. Otherwise, the rubber might not vulcanize
- Be careful not to use brush for any other purpose.

(3) Drying of Cement

- Cement must be dried completely. If not, air bubbles may occur at spliced areas.

(4) Rubber Sheets

- These are subjected to sublimation if left uncovered.
- Leftover materials should be disposed of.

(5) Total thickness of belt at splice area should be larger than nominal thickness by 0.2mm to 0.7mm but
less than 1.0mm

(6) Heating plates should be longer than splice area by 50mm at both ends.

(7) If large splice area needs two sets of vulcanizers, a steel plate of minimum 1.6mm should be used in
order to promote even pressure.

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7 VULCANIZING PROCESS

General Belt (Exclude Heat Resistant Belt)

Belt Thickness (mm) vs Curing Time (minute) Temperature Pressure Cooling

Temperature
≤ 15mm ≤ 25mm ≤ 30mm ≤ 35mm (oC) (kg/cm2) (oC)

8 ~ 10 NF < 80
50 60 65 70 145 ± 5
(0.8 ~ 1.0 MPa) TF < 120

Heat Resistant Belt

Belt Thickness (mm) vs

Curing Time (minute) Cooling
Pressure
Type Temperature (oC) Temperature
(kg/cm2)
(oC)
≤ 15mm ≤ 20mm ≤ 25mm

F-110 25 35 45
8 ~ 10
F-110 +
25 35 45 145 ± 5 < 120
STF
(0.8 ~ 1.0 MPa)
A-110 25 35 45

SF-180 40 60 70 165 +10/-5

9 ~ 11
< 120
(0.9 ~ 1.1 MPa)
A-2000 40 60 70 165 +10/-5

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APPENDIX
THE SPLICING STEP LENGTH OF STANDARD BELT STRENGTH

Belt Belt Type

Fabric Heat Resistant
Strength General (except Heat and
Type Oil Resistant
(kN/m) Oil Resistant) F-110 SF-180
100/2 100 100 100 100
125/2 100 100 100 100
160/3 100 100 100 100
250/3 100 100 100 100
315/4 100 100 100 100
400/4 120 150 150 120
500/4 150 150 150 120
630/5 150 150 150 120
Nylon
800/5 200 200 200 160
1000/5 250 250 250 200
1250/5 300 300 300 240
1500/6 300 300 300 -
1800/6 280 -
2000/6 350 To be confirmed To be confirmed -
2500/6 400 each time each time -
3150/6 500 -
100/2 100 120 - 120
125/2 100 120 - 120
160/3 100 120 - 120
250/3 100 120 - 120
315/4 100 120 - 120
400/4 120 160 - 160
500/4 150 180 - 180
630/5 150 180 - 180
Polyester
800/5 200 240 - 240
1000/5 250 300 - 300
1250/5 300 360 - 360
1500/6 300 - -
1800/6 350 - -
To be confirmed
2000/6 400 - -
each time
2500/6 450 - -
3150/6 550 - -

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BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
HEAD OFFICE
Bridgestone Corporation
Conveyor Belts Sales & Marketing Department
Yaesu Center Bldg. 10F, 1-6-6, Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0028, Japan
Tel: +81(3)5202-6882 Fax: +81(3)5202-6854

South East Asia & Middle East Office

Bridgestone Engineered Products of Asia, Sdn Bhd.
L1-E-3B, Enterprise 4, Technology Park Malaysia,
Lebuhraya Puchong-Sg Besi, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60(3)8996 2670 Fax: +60(3)8996 2690

China Office
Bridgestone Diversified Products (China) Co.,Ltd.
Rm. 1016 Genway Bldg. No.188 Wangdun Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123
Tel: +86(512)6258-1088(ex.200) Fax: +86(512)6258-5808,5828

Indonesia Office
PT. Putera Bridgestone Engineering
Wisma Slipi 12th Floor, Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav. 12, Jakarta 11480, Indonesia
Tel: +62-21-5366-1971 Fax: +62-21-5366-1975

Korea Office
Bridgestone Diversified Products East Co.,Ltd.
#1201 Ilsin Bldg., 541,Dohwa-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 121-701, Korea
Tel:+82(2)565-2048 Fax:+82(2)3210-2488

India Office
Bridgestone Engineered Products of Asia Sdn Bhd (India Liasion Office)
529, Regus, Level 6, JMD Regent Square, Mehrauli Gurgaon Road, Gurgaon, Haryana-122001,India
Tel: +91 124 4711752 Fax: +91 124 4712001

Taiwan Office
Bridgestone Diversified Products East Co.,Ltd.
6F-2, No.41, Nanking W.Rd, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tel:+886(2)2556-3459 Fax:+886(2)2556-3487

Oceania Office
Bridgestone Engineered Products of Asia, Sdn Bhd.
PO Box 2325, Midland WA 6936 Australia
Tel: +61(8)9250 0600 Fax: +61(8)9250 0601

Europe/Africa Office
Bridgestone Industrial Ltd.
Berliner Ring 89, D-64625 Bensheim, Germany
Tel:+49(0)62 51 690 396 Fax:+49(0)62 51 690 397

Russia & CIS Office

Bridgestone Corporation
Conveyor Belts Sales & Marketing Department
Yaesu Center Bldg. 10F, 1-6-6, Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0028, Japan
Tel: +81(3)5202-6882 Fax: +81(3)5202-6854

North America/ South America Office

Bridgestone Industrial Products America, Inc.
30211 Ave. de las Banderas, Suite 150, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, U.S.A.
Tel: +1(949)709 0929 Fax: +1(949)709 0993

2011April
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