The influence of viscoelastic property measurements on the predicted rolling resistance of belt conveyors

This article discusses how determining the viscoelastic properties of the cover material of a conveyor belt, using different rheological test modes, can result in significant differences in properties for the same material and testing conditions. The viscoelastic properties are applied to two mathematical models used to predict and compare the indentation rolling resistance performance of two rubber compounds. This article demonstrates how inaccuracies in the testing of the viscoelastic properties could result in a material with higher indentation rolling resistance properties being selected for a conveying system, making the power consumption of the system larger than necessary. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40755.