Full definition
Premature deterioration or breakage of a power transmission belt before reaching expected service life (15,000-25,000 hours for V-belts). Common failure modes with diagnostic indicators: flex cracking (transverse cracks on inner surface — pulleys too small), sidewall wear (shiny/glazed flanks — misalignment or groove wear), delamination (layers separating — manufacturing defect or chemical attack), cord breakage (sudden snap — shock overload), heat hardening (glazed/stiff belt — over-tension or under-ventilation), chunk-out (missing rubber pieces — foreign objects or excessive heat). Root cause analysis per Gates or Optibelt failure guides. Prevention: correct tension, alignment within 0.5°, proper pulley condition, and adequate ventilation. Keep ambient below 40°C; each 10°C above halves belt life.