Introduction of 'Kevlar' Fibers into Conveyor Belts.

With their good mechanical strength and exceptional fire resistance, conveyor belts reinforced with Kevlar aramid fibers are particularly suitable for underground mine applications, where fire is a permanent hazard. Their introduction in Saarland coal mines, France, where the six collieries are equipped with 130 conveyors, corresponding to a total belt length of 270 km, is described. These long units require the use of belts reinforced with either steel cables or aramid fibers. The latter solution is ever more chosen, due to the longer life duration of Kevlar belts.