Choosing the Right Plastic for Conveyor Belts and Guide Rails
We help customers daily choose the right wear plastic for their conveyor belts and guide rails. With so many materials to choose from, it can feel overwhelming. Here, we compare some of the most common options: HDPE, PA6G, and POM-C.
Which material is best suited for your needs?
Is it load capacity, temperature, or something else that determines your choice?
HDPE: Popular Choice for Sliding
HDPE (also called PE-300) is a widely used material for guide rails and wear parts in conveyor belts. A low coefficient of friction, around 0.15, allows it to slide easily without generating much heat. In addition, HDPE has high wear resistance and can handle high loads.
The company provides cutting of HDPE in thicknesses up to 200 mm.
HDPE also has good chemical resistance and can be used in environments with chemicals and detergents. However, the maximum temperature is relatively low, around 80 degrees Celsius, which may be a limitation in some applications.
PA6G: High Load Capacity
PA6G is another common material for guide rails and wear parts. It stands out with its high load capacity and can handle very high loads. PA6G has a coefficient of friction of about 0.20 and slides well against various surfaces.
PA6G has a slightly higher friction than HDPE, which can lead to more heat and wear. The material also has slightly poorer chemical resistance compared to HDPE, which may be a factor in some environments.
The maximum temperature for PA6G is around 120 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for applications with higher temperatures.
POM-C: High Wear Resistance
POM-C (also called Acetal) is known for its high wear resistance and can withstand very high loads. The coefficient of friction is around 0.25, slightly higher than both PA6G and HDPE.
POM-C has good chemical resistance and works well in environments where there is a risk of chemicals and detergents. The material can withstand temperatures up to 140 degrees Celsius, which is higher than both PA6G and HDPE.
A disadvantage may be that POM-C has a slightly higher density than PA6G and HDPE, which may affect the weight in some applications.
Material Properties Summarized
- HDPE: Low friction, high wear resistance, good chemical resistance, max 80 °C
- PA6G: High load capacity, good friction, slightly lower chemical resistance, max 120 °C
- POM-C: High wear resistance, good chemical resistance, high max temperature (140 °C), slightly higher density
The choice of material depends entirely on the application and its specific requirements. Do you need low friction and high wear resistance? Then HDPE is a good option. Is high load capacity and chemical resistance more important? Then PA6G may be the right choice.
And if you need to withstand high temperatures and also have high wear resistance, POM-C is a good option. Or is low weight and density more important? Then HDPE or PA6G may be better.
Final Words
We hope this review has given you a better picture of what materials are available for guide rails and wear parts in conveyor belts. Choosing the right material is important for performance, longevity, and safety.
Do you have any thoughts on the choice of materials or need help finding the right solution? Feel free to contact us, we'll help you.
Explore our range of HDPE, PA6G and POM-C to see which material best meets your needs. We also offer different hardness grades, such as 65° Shore D.
The Right Wear Plastic for Conveyor Belts and Guide Rails