Development of systems with anti-static additive and conductive layers for development of transmission belt used in the textile industry

• Grant number: 04/14232-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: April 01, 2005
• End date: June 30, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Zaida Jova Aguila
• Grantee: Zaida Jova Aguila
• Company: Elo Indústria e Comércio de Correias Ltda. - EPP
• City: Limeira

Abstract

In the textile branch of industry it is common to use movement transmission belts in the looms, reels and thread spindles. The substantial friction generated when working causes an accumulation, on the surface of the belt, of particles of dust, thread fibers and many other non conductive light-weight materials. This build-up, in time, ends up increasing the thickness of the belt, leading to alterations in the speed of the system. Owing to the decrease in the friction coefficient of attrition between the pulleys and the belt it frequently happens that that whole drive mechanism becomes paralyzed. There exists on the Brazilian market an imported belt with which, possibly because of the use of antistatic agents, this problem does not occur. ELO developed a similar national product with mechanical properties equivalent to that of the imported belt at a much lower cost. An efficient alternative to be developed in this project is the application to the belt of layers of composites containing charge conductors. The technology involves the development of formulations of composites and in the application process to be used on the production line. A layer of conducting composite containing high conductivity lampblack will be applied between the inner layer and the outer layer, which offers the high resistance to abrasion necessary for high durability. The external layer will avoid the build up of electrical charge on the belt and the mechanical properties of the belt will be maintained. (AU)