Overview
ISO 21182:2025 - "Light conveyor belts - Determination of the coefficient of friction" specifies standardized test methods to measure the dynamic and static coefficients of friction for light conveyor belts (in support of ISO 21183-1). This third edition updates procedures and adds test room conditions to ensure reproducible results for comparative friction testing between belt covers and a metallic reference panel.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose
- Test methods for dynamic (μD) and static (μS) coefficients of friction to compare belt covers reliably.
- Limits: dynamic μ up to 1.0, static μ up to 1.5 (higher values may indicate other effects).
- Apparatus and test panel
- Metallic test panel: steel CR1 (ISO 3574), thickness 0.8 mm; width (76 ± 0.5) mm; length 152 mm; testing area ≈100 cm2.
- Panel hardness HRB 60–70; surface roughness Ra 0.9–1.3 µm (ISO 21920-2). Replace after max 50 uses or one day.
- Mass applied to panel to generate normal force (50 ± 1) N.
- Load cell (range up to 100 N) and recording instrument; force system to comply with ISO 7500-1 (machine class 3 or better).
- Deflection roller (40–50 mm diameter) and low-elasticity pulling cable.
- Test pieces & conditioning
- Three test pieces (600 mm × 100 mm) cut full thickness in longitudinal or transverse directions.
- Condition in accordance with ISO 18573 (Atmosphere B) for at least 24 h.
- Test procedure
- Test room: 23 °C ± 2 °C, relative humidity 50 % ± 5 %.
- Dynamic test speed: (1 000 ± 20) mm/min (or min 500 ± 20 mm/min if machine-limited); path of motion 300 mm; use data from last 200 mm.
- Static test speed: (100 ± 10) mm/min; stop at initial panel movement; μS derived from first force peak or deviation point.
- Results & reporting
- Dynamic μD: median of dynamic frictional force divided by normal force (use ISO 6133 guidance).
- Report individual measurements (rounded to two decimals), arithmetic mean, belt identification, date of manufacture, and reference to ISO 21182:2025.
Applications - who uses this standard
- Belt manufacturers and R&D teams for material development and quality control.
- Independent testing laboratories and QA departments validating friction properties.
- Specifiers and buyers selecting light conveyor belts for packaging, intralogistics, or handling systems where controlled sliding or anti-slip behavior matters.
- Procurement, compliance and warranty assessment to provide consistent, comparable friction data.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 21182:2025, light conveyor belts, coefficient of friction, dynamic coefficient of friction, static coefficient of friction, friction testing, metallic test panel, conveyor belt testing.
