Full definition
A thick elastomer strip installed on the sides of hoppers, chutes, conveyor loading zones, and transfer points to contain bulk material and prevent spillage, dust emission, and material loss. Material: typically natural rubber (NR) or high-abrasion SBR compound, 60-70 Shore A hardness, for maximum wear resistance against abrasive ores and aggregates. Thickness: 6-25 mm depending on material impact severity and conveyor speed. Width: 150-400 mm typically. The skirting is clamped in adjustable brackets allowing vertical and lateral positioning to maintain light contact with the moving belt surface, creating a dynamic seal. Skirt rubber must be soft enough to seal without excessive belt wear, yet tough enough to resist gouging by sharp material. Replace when worn to 50% of original width or when material escapes. NR offers 2-3x the wear life of SBR in impact abrasion conditions. Per CEMA and Martin Engineering guidelines. Also available in polyurethane (PU, 3-5x life of NR) for fine, highly abrasive materials. Dual-seal designs use primary skirt plus outer dust curtain.