Choosing the right plastic for conveyor belts and guide rails
Every day, we help customers choose the right wear-resistant plastic for their specific conveyor belts and slide rails. With so many materials to choose from, it can feel overwhelming. Here, we compare some of the most common options: PE-1000, PA6G and POM C.
Which material is best suited to your needs? Is it load capacity, temperature or something else that’s the deciding factor?
PE-1000: A popular choice for slide rails
PE-1000 (also known as UHMW-PE or HD1000) is a widely used material for slide rails and wear parts in conveyor belts. A low coefficient of friction, around 0.15, means it glides easily without generating much heat. Furthermore, PE-1000 has high wear resistance and can withstand heavy loads.
We offer cutting services for PE-1000 in thicknesses of up to 200 mm.
PE-1000 also has good chemical resistance and can be used in environments containing chemicals and cleaning agents. However, its maximum temperature is relatively low, around 80 degrees Celsius, which may be a limitation in certain applications.
PA6G: High load-bearing capacity
PA6G is another common material for slide rails and wear parts. It stands out for its high load-bearing capacity and can withstand very high loads. PA6G has a coefficient of friction of approximately 0.20 and glides well against various surfaces.
PA6G has a slightly higher coefficient of friction than PE-1000, which can lead to increased heat generation and wear. The material also has slightly poorer chemical resistance compared with PE-1000, which may be a factor in certain environments.
The maximum temperature for PA6G is approximately 120 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for applications involving higher temperatures.
POM C: High wear resistance
POM C (also known as 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 PE-1000.
POM C has good chemical resistance and performs well in environments where there is a risk of exposure to chemicals and cleaning agents. The material can withstand temperatures up to 140 degrees Celsius, which is higher than both PA6G and PE-1000.
One disadvantage may be that POM C has a slightly higher density than PA6G and PE-1000, which may affect the weight in certain applications.
Summary of material properties
- PE-1000: Low friction, high wear resistance, good chemical resistance, max 80 °C
- PA6G: High load-bearing capacity, good friction, slightly lower chemical resistance, max 120 °C
- POM C: High wear resistance, good chemical resistance, high maximum 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 PE-1000 is a good option. Are high load-bearing capacity and chemical resistance more important? Then PA6G may be the right choice.
And if you need to withstand high temperatures whilst maintaining high wear resistance, POM C is a good option. Or are low weight and density more important? In that case, PE-1000 or PA6G may be better.
Concluding remarks
We hope this overview has given you a better understanding of the materials available for slide rails and wear parts in conveyor belts. Choosing the right material is crucial for performance, service life and safety.
Do you have any questions about material selection or need help finding the right solution? Please feel free to contact us, we’re here to help.
Explore our range of PE-1000, PA6G and POM C to see which material best meets your needs.
The Right Wear Plastic for Conveyor Belts and Guide Rails