PVC vs PU Conveyor Belts: Making the Right Choice for Your Industry

Conveyor belts are the long belts that help move products from one place to another in the different stages of manufacture of products in every industry. These conveyor belts are made from many different kinds of materials, and each material conveyor belt has its own features and advantages. However, the major materials among them are PU (polyurethane) conveyor belts and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) conveyor belts. These conveyor belts are selected according to the specifications of different industries, such as the food, pharmaceutical, and plywood industries.

PU (polyurethane) conveyor belts: meaning and importance

PU polyurethane conveyor belts are those conveyor belts that are made from the polymer material. These PU polyurethane conveyor belts are generally famous for their higher abrasive resistance along with their chemical- and temperature-resistant PU conveyor belts can easily deal with oils, grease, a range of acids, and other harsh chemicals and also these PU conveyor belts can tolerate high temperatures because in factories where the production is done, the temperature is high due to the operation of huge machines, so temperature resistance in PU conveyor belts is much needed. Moreover, their durability is greater as compared to any other kind of material conveyor belt, and this longer lifespan does not even compromise the flexibility of the material.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) conveyor belts: meaning and importance

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) conveyor belts are the conveyor belts that are made from the PVC which is a special type of plastic. These PVC conveyor belts have a smoother surface than the other kind of conveyor belts, which helps to speed up the movement of the PVC conveyor belt. Also, the maintenance of these PVC conveyor belts is easy, which enhances the hygiene, and the operation cost is also less due to their special design. Additionally, the cost of PVC conveyor belts is way more reasonable than other types of conveyor belts, which significantly attracts small as well as medium-scale businesses. And this reasonable cost does not compromise any of the other factors because PVC conveyor belts also have chemical and temperature resistance to some extent, and the durability is also longer, and if PVC conveyor belts are maintained regularly with a proper schedule, then the lifespan can be extended even more.

Differentiate between PU (polyurethane) conveyor belts and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) conveyor belts:

PU (polyurethane) conveyor belts and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) conveyor belts are both popular for their working and unique features and also have some similarity in their features, but here are some of the major differences between the PU conveyor belts and PVC conveyor belts.

Raw material for manufacturing of conveyor belt:

PU conveyor belt: PU polyurethane conveyor belts are made from the polymer material. Generally, thermoplastic Polyurethane conveyor belts are more famous in the market for their efficient energy-saving formula, which helps to reduce nearly 15% of power consumption.

PVC conveyor belt: PVC polyvinyl chloride conveyor belts are made from the PVC polyvinyl chloride material, which is a special type of plastic that provides the smooth surface to the conveyor belts, which encourages the transportation of products on the PVC conveyor belts.

Durability along with the flexibility:

PU conveyor belt: The PU conveyor belt has more durability because of the intense level of thickness and hardness, which helps to handle the huge and heavy objects on the PU conveyor belt. Moreover, the flexibility of PU conveyor belts is also considerable, which helps to cooperate with both large and small diameter of rollers

PVC conveyor belts: PVC conveyor belts are made from special PVC plastic that provides greater flexibility to the conveyor belt, but the level of flexibility is more moderate than that of the PU conveyor belts. However, the durability of PVC conveyor belts is significant and even extended to a greater level with the easy maintenance schedule of these PVC conveyor belts.

Abrasion Resistance to deal with oils and grease:

PU conveyor belts: PU conveyor belts have a higher level of abrasion resistance, which helps the PU conveyor belts to perfectly handle the fat oils, grease, and cleaning agents without accumulating any kind of contamination on the surface of the conveyor belts, which enhances the efficiency of these PU conveyor belts.

PVC conveyor belts: PVC conveyor belts also have abrasive resistivity to deal with the fat oils, grease, and cleaning agents, but the concentrations of abrasion resistance are less in the PVC conveyor belts as compared to the PU conveyor belts.

Ease of maintenance and repairing of conveyor belts:

PU conveyor belts: The maintenance schedule of the PU conveyor belts is somewhat longer than the PVC conveyor belts because of the intense level of thickness and hardness in the PU conveyor belts. However, with the real-time monitoring and regular inspection, the issue can be detected and mitigated in the beginning.

PVC conveyor belts: The maintenance schedule of PVC conveyor belts is easier than that of PU conveyor belts due to the smoother surface of the PVC conveyor belts. Moreover, with the close monitoring, the major damage can be detected and tackled in the initial stage to avoid any big damage in the future.

Chemical resistance:

PU conveyor belts have recommendable chemical resistance to tackle the range of acids and other harsh chemicals, which is ideal for pharmaceuticals as well as the food industry for more efficient working.

PVC conveyor belts: PVC conveyor belts also have chemical resistance to work with a range of acids and other harsh chemicals, but PVC conveyor belts have a moderate level of chemical resistance, while on the other hand, PU conveyor belts have a greater level of chemical resistance, which makes them favorable for similar working conditions.

Initial and operational cost-effectiveness:

PU conveyor belts: PU conveyor belts are more expensive than the PVC conveyor belts, but if compared with the core features of the PU conveyor belts, then the cost of these belts seems reasonable because they provide a higher level of chemical and temperature resistance, which is the basic need of many industries, including the food and pharma sectors.

PVC conveyor belts: PVC conveyor belts are way more affordable as compared to the PU conveyor belts, which attract small as well as medium-scale businesses without compromising working efficiency along with the smooth surface and less operating and handling cost. This salient feature of PVC conveyor belts made them ideal for the plywood industry, where huge panels of wood have to be handled without any scratch or dent on the panel to maintain its quality.

Temperature resistance:

PU conveyor belts: PU conveyor belts also have temperature resistance along with chemical resistance, which is ideal for the food and pharma industries, where the temperature is generally higher for the formation of medicines and preparation of foods. This temperature resistance feature helps them to work effectively in such high-temperature conditions without any hindrance.

PVC conveyor belts: PVC conveyor belts also have temperature resistance, but the level of this temperature resistance is lower in the PVC conveyor belts as compared to the PU conveyor belts. However, the PVC conveyor belts also work in higher-temperature working conditions, but for a limited time period.

Hygiene and cleanliness at the workplace:

PU conveyor belts: PU conveyor belts have proper cleanliness and promote hygiene because of their friendliness with the cleaning agents. Moreover, PU conveyor belts also comply with the hygiene and safety standards set by the regulatory bodies in the country. And this is perfect for the food and pharma industry because in today's era people are greatly concerned about health and the environment.

PVC conveyor belts: PVC conveyor belts also promote cleanliness and hygiene because of their easy maintenance schedule the regular cleaning can be maintained easily, which brings hygiene and cleanliness. PVC conveyor belts also comply with the hygiene and safety standards set by the government authorities.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, conveyor belts are made from many kinds of different fabrics; among all of them, PU and PVC conveyor belts are more popular and almost have similar features. They also have some distinct core factors that make them ideal for specific industries, like PU conveyor belts, which generally have a higher level of abrasion, chemical, and temperature resistance, which makes them perfect for the food and pharma industries, where there are generally higher temperatures and regular dealings with chemicals as well as cleaning agents. While on the other hand, PVC conveyor belts also have moderate resistivity, are less expensive, and have a smoother surface because of their special plastic raw material, which makes them ideal for the plywood industry, where wooden panels are handled with much care, and lower operational costs attract small and medium-scale businesses. However, these PU and PVC conveyor belts are in total compliance with the hygiene and security standards to promote safety and sustainable development.