Full definition
The maximum tensile force per unit width that a conveyor belt can withstand before rupture, expressed in Newtons per millimeter of belt width (N/mm). This is the most fundamental rating parameter for conveyor belt selection. Textile belt range: EP160 (160 N/mm, 2-ply light duty) through EP3150 (3,150 N/mm, 6-ply heavy duty). Steel cord belt range: ST630 through ST10000 (10,000 N/mm for the most extreme applications). The belt is selected so that the maximum operating tension (calculated from conveyor length, lift, material weight, friction, and acceleration per DIN 22101 or CEMA) does not exceed the allowable working tension, which is the breaking strength divided by a safety factor: 8:1 to 10:1 for textile belts, 6.7:1 to 8:1 for steel cord belts. Per ISO 14890 and ISO 15236. Testing: full-width strip tensile test per ISO 283 at a rate of 100 mm/min. Breaking strength decreases at splices: hot vulcanized splice retains 90-100%, cold splice 60-80%, mechanical splice 50-70%.