Experimental Study of Rubber Composite Quality Assessment in Terms of Electrical Conductivity and Accelerated Thermal Ageing

Abstract

Belt conveyors represent efficient transport systems that are used for transportation of bulk materials across all industries. Their basic structural component is a conveyor belt. During storage and deployment, conveyor belts undergo an inevitable process of ageing which leads to deterioration of their properties. A challenge associated with the use of conveyor belts is to ensure the required electrical conductivity. This challenge has prompted the research into conveyor belts that was aimed at identifying their electrical conductivity, considering primarily the effects of ageing. Identification of electrical conductivity of newly manufactured conveyor belts is important for manufacturers in order to comply with relevant standards, and for conveyor belt users in order to eliminate potential hazards.