Synthetic Conveyor Belts: PVC vs. PU

We’ve all seen conveyor belts being used swiftly and widely in a variety of sectors, from our daily lives to aerospace. This is because it may dramatically increase production and lower labor expenses. However, many clients have struggled to select the best conveyor belt for their needs, particularly when it comes to comparable varieties like PU and PVC conveyor belts. Let’s look at the differences between two of the most popular types of belts: PVC and PU conveyor belts. 

PVC Conveyor Belt

PVC belts are formed of pure natural polyvinyl chloride with high-strength and high-quality cotton, nylon, and polyester canvas as the core and are widely used to transport tiny and medium-sized pieces, powders, and granular materials. It is ideal for material transportation over short and medium distances, with working temperatures ranging from -10° to +80°, and may be employed in a variety of industries. PVC conveyor belts are readily accessible at a lower cost when considering them for your production line or business.

PU Conveyor Belt

The surface of a PU belt is formed of polyurethane, which is clear, clean, non-toxic, and odorless, giving it practically all of the properties of polyurethane (PU). It is more elastic than rubber, more durable than metal, and more resistant to grease, tears, scratches, and wear.  With so many exceptional properties, Polyurethane conveyor belts have been the first option for many prominent brands in the food sector, such as sweets, pasta, meat, seafood, baked products, etc.

PU Conveyor Belt vs PVC Conveyor Belt

The two most often utilized types of conveyor belts are PU and PVC, which are quite similar.  However, they are built of two distinct materials, have different properties, and are appropriate for various uses.

Composition and Design

PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, a kind of plastic. A standard PVC conveyor belt has a plastic outside and a synthetic canvas interior composed of polyester or nylon. Most PVC belts contain ridges or teeth on the service side to assist in holding objects in place.

Polyurethane belts, on the other hand, include a smooth polyurethane surface with tension elements on the inside. A nylon fabric tooth facing is often found on the back.

Oil Resistance

The main difference between PVC and polyurethane belts is that the latter is far more resistant to grease, oil, and solvents. If your new conveyor system will be handling meat or fried items, you should absolutely pick a polyurethane belt or a PVC belt with additional protective coatings to help it resist all forms of oil.

Temperature Resistance

Both types of belts can withstand moderate levels of heat and cold. However, polyurethane belts can withstand higher temperatures. If you’ll be creating really hot or cold items, you might need PU conveyor belts. PVC conveyor belts, on the other hand, are ideal for the vast majority of other applications.

Cleaning is easy

Cleaning is a category where both sorts of belts are roughly equivalent. As long as you follow the instructions and use a cleaner recommended by your belt provider, you should be able to keep your belts hygienic and bacteria-free.

Final Verdict

Though there are several aspects to consider when selecting belts for a conveyor system, they all carry different weights.

Simply defined, polyurethane (PU) is a soluble substance recognized as a green raw material, whereas polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has a slightly lower level of safety. As a result, if your company requires food-grade safety, PU conveyor belts are the best option. 

Although PVC belts have a lower level of safety, they can nevertheless be used in the food industry. There are endless food and beverage packages delivered on PVC conveyor belts.

Finding reputable PVC or PU conveyor belt manufacturers is also important. Many firms make promises about high-quality items but fail to deliver. Trusted manufacturers, such as DKTEE, prioritize quality. Contact us if you want to modify your bulk orders to match your specific company needs.

We provide a large assortment of belts, including those with protective coatings, that are ideal for all your belting requirements.