Overview
ISO 10247:1990 - Conveyor Belts: Characteristics of Covers - Classification is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standard provides a comprehensive framework for classifying the covers of general-purpose conveyor belts, which have either textile or metal carcasses. It specifies the essential combinations of key characteristics and outlines the corresponding standardized methods for their determination. This classification aims to offer general guidance for applications involving bulk material handling, ensuring that conveyor belts are selected appropriately based on type, service conditions, and the materials to be conveyed.
Key Topics
- Classification of Belt Covers: ISO 10247 defines three primary categories of belt covers, based on the severity of service conditions and the abrasiveness of conveyed materials:
- Category H (Severe Cut and Gouge Service): Suitable for sharply abrasive and heavy-duty materials such as metallic ores, granite, glass, and coke.
- Category D (Severe Abrasion Service): Designed for very abrasive materials, as determined by industry experience.
- Category L (Moderate Service): Intended for moderately abrasive, slightly abrasive, or non-abrasive materials like coal, sand, clay, fruit, and wood chips.
- Essential Characteristics: The standard focuses on key physical properties, including:
- Tensile strength
- Elongation at break
- Abrasion resistance
- Performance after accelerated ageing
- Test Methods: ISO 10247 references standardized test procedures, such as those outlined in ISO 37, ISO 188, and ISO 4649, to ensure reliable and comparable results across different products and applications.
- Test Reporting: Requires documentation of results, test conditions, type of cover, and identification of the conveyor belt, fostering transparency and traceability in quality control.
Applications
ISO 10247:1990 is widely applied across industries where conveyor belts are used for transporting bulk materials, including:
- Mining and quarrying: Ensures the belt covers are durable enough to handle crushed rock, ores, gravel, and other highly abrasive substances, minimizing downtime due to cover wear.
- Cement and construction aggregates: Guides selection of belt covers with the right abrasion and cut resistance for materials like clinker, sand, limestone, and cement.
- Agriculture and food processing: Assists in choosing belts that are optimized for non-abrasive or delicate products, such as grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Energy production: Applies to the handling of coal, ash, slag, and related byproducts in power plants and related facilities.
Using ISO 10247 helps manufacturers, suppliers, and end users to standardize product evaluation and selection, improving operational reliability and aligning with best practices for safety and performance.
Related Standards
For a complete approach to conveyor belt quality and bulk material handling, the following ISO standards are commonly referenced alongside ISO 10247:
- ISO 37: Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of tensile stress-strain properties
- ISO 188: Rubber, vulcanized - Accelerated ageing or heat-resistance tests
- ISO 4649: Rubber - Determination of abrasion resistance using a rotating cylindrical drum device
- ISO 3435: Continuous mechanical handling equipment - Classification and symbolization of bulk materials
ISO 10247:1990 supports global consistency in conveyor belt design and specification, helping industries achieve high efficiency, durability, and compatibility in their material handling operations.
