Full definition
A pulley fabricated from welded or machined carbon steel, offering significantly higher tensile strength (400-600 MPa) than gray cast iron (150-250 MPa), making it suitable for heavy-duty applications, large diameters (>800 mm), high peripheral speeds, and environments with shock loads where cast iron could fracture. Fabrication methods: welded construction (hub + web + rim, most common for large sizes), and CNC-machined from solid or forged blanks (precision applications). Steel pulleys are lighter than equivalent cast iron designs for the same strength. Surface hardness can be increased by induction hardening of groove surfaces (50-55 HRC). Standard materials: ASTM A36 (welded), AISI 1045 (machined). Requires better balancing than cast iron due to lower inherent damping. Used in mining, cement, steel mills, and heavy conveyor drives. Coating: primer and paint or hot-dip galvanizing for corrosive environments.