Steel Cord vs. Textile Conveyor Belts: A Technical Deep Dive
2026-01-07 15:42Steel Cord vs. Textile Conveyor Belts: A Technical Deep Dive for Heavy Industry
Choosing between Steel Cord (ST) and Textile (EP/NN) belts? We provide a comprehensive technical comparison covering tensile strength, elongation, and splice efficiency.
Selecting the right conveyor belt specification is one of the most critical engineering decisions for a material handling system. Choose the wrong spec, and you face catastrophic snapping, permanent belt stretch, or system misalignment.
The two dominant contenders in heavy industry are Textile Belts (EP/NN) and Steel Cord Belts (ST). Drawing from Hengyi's decades of manufacturing experience, we break down the technical differences to help you decide.
1. Textile Conveyor Belts (EP/NN): The Versatile Workhorse
Textile belts utilize layers of synthetic fabric as the tension member. The most common type is EP (Polyester warp / Nylon weft).
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Pros: Highly flexible, lighter weight, and lower initial cost.
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Best For: Short to medium distance conveyors (under 1km), smaller pulley diameters, and impact zones.
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Limitation: Higher elongation rate (1.5% - 2.5%), meaning you need a longer take-up travel.
2. Steel Cord Conveyor Belts (ST): The Powerhouse
These belts feature galvanized steel cords arranged longitudinally, suspended in a core rubber matrix.
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Tensile Strength: ST belts can go up to ST5400 (5400 N/mm).
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Elongation: Negligible elongation (around 0.2%). This is essential for long overland conveyors.
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Open Cord Technology: We use "Open" type cords that allow rubber to fully penetrate inside the strands, preventing corrosion.
3. Critical Comparison Matrix
Use this table to determine which belt fits your engineering requirements.
| Feature | Textile Belt (EP/NN) | Steel Cord Belt (ST) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 100 N/mm - 3200 N/mm | 630 N/mm - 5400+ N/mm |
| Elongation at Work | High (1.5% - 2.5%) | Very Low (0.2%) |
| Splice Efficiency | 60% - 80% | Near 100% |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent (Absorbs shock) | Moderate (Needs breaker ply) |
| Max Distance | Short / Medium | Long Distance / Overland |
4. Which One Should You Choose?
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Choose Textile (EP) if: Your conveyor is less than 500m long, you have crushers dropping heavy rocks directly onto the belt, or you need a cost-effective replacement.
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Choose Steel Cord (ST) if: You are designing a long-distance overland conveyor (>1km), you need to lift material up a steep slope, or you have limited space for take-up tensioning.
Still Unsure?
Using an ST belt on a short feeder is a waste of money. Using a Textile belt on a 5km line is a disaster. Let our engineers check your system drawings.