What Is the Safety Factor of Steel Cord Belts?
2026-01-26 10:05Steel cord reinforced conveyor belts offer extremely high tensile strength and excellent stability, making them the top choice for long-distance, heavy-duty industrial transport. But when engineers or procurement managers select a belt, one of the first questions is: What’s the safety factor of a steel cord reinforced conveyor belt? This number directly affects system reliability and belt lifespan.
In this article, we’ll break it down and explain how safety factors are defined and applied in real-world scenarios.
What Is the Safety Factor of a Conveyor Belt?
The safety factor is the ratio of a conveyor belt’s maximum tensile strength to its normal operating tension.
Formula:
SF = Maximum Breaking Strength / Normal Operating Tension
A higher ratio means the belt can handle overloads, shocks, and long-term fatigue more safely, reducing the risk of belt breakage. Steel cord reinforced conveyor belts have a steel cord core, giving them much higher tensile strength than fabric belts. Because of this, their safety factor is usually lower than that of fabric belts—but the actual safety and reliability are still higher.
Recommended Safety Factor in the Industry:
According to international standards, steel cord reinforced conveyor belts usually have a recommended safety factor between 6.7:1 and 10:1:
·Long-distance, heavy-duty applications: typically 7:1–8:1 to balance cost and safety.
·Shorter distances or medium loads: 9:1–10:1 for extra safety.
·High-risk conditions (like incline belts or high-temperature environments): not below 8:1.
By comparison, ordinary fabric belts need a safety factor of 10:1–12:1 to achieve similar reliability because their tensile strength is lower.
Steel Cord Reinforced Conveyor Belt Safety Factor Reference Table:
| Strength Grade | Tensile Strength (N/mm) | Recommended Safety Factor (Long-distance, Heavy-duty) | Typical Max Working Tension (N/mm) | Typical Applications |
| ST500 | 500 | 8:1–10:1 | 50–62.5 | Light-load, short-distance transport |
| ST1000 | 1000 | 7:1–9:1 | 111–142 | Medium-distance coal, sand, gravel |
| ST1600 | 1600 | 7:1–8:1 | 200–228 | Mining, medium-to-long distance in ports |
| ST2000 | 2000 | 7:1–8:1 | 250–285 | Heavy-load ore, coal, and long-distance |
| ST2500 | 2500 | 7:1–8:1 | 312–357 | Large ports, steel mill bulk handling |
| ST3150 | 3150 | 7:1–8:1 | 393–450 | Ultra-heavy, ultra-long distance mining |
Key Factors That Affect the Safety Factor:
Steel Cord Structure & Bonding Quality:
The spacing between steel cords should be uniform, and the rubber fully impregnated. This improves overall strength and service life. Our steel cord reinforced conveyor belts use a special bonding layer between cords and rubber, minimizing breakage risk.
Covering Rubber:
Wear-resistant, heat-resistant top covers and protective bottom covers prevent corrosion and boost the safety factor.
Installation & Joint Method:
Vulcanized joints achieve over 95% efficiency, far higher than mechanical splices, allowing the belt to perform close to its designed safety factor.
Operating Conditions:
If the belt faces heavy shock loads, frequent starts, or extreme environments, a higher safety factor is recommended.
Why Choose Our Steel Cord Reinforced Conveyor Belts?
Our belts cover tensile strengths from 500 to 3150 N/mm, and widths, thicknesses, and tensile ratings are fully customizable. We hold ISO9001, ISO14001, and OHSAS18001 certifications, ensuring stable, reliable quality. Customers in mining, ports, and metallurgy trust our belts for long-term, heavy-duty operations.
Choosing the right safety factor for your steel cord reinforced conveyor belt can deliver longer uninterrupted running time and higher ROI for your production line. If you’re planning a new project or upgrading your existing system, contact us—our team will calculate the precise safety factor and provide a tailored solution based on your conveyor length, material properties, and load.
For long-distance, heavy-load transport, a reliable steel cord reinforced conveyor belt is the foundation of peace of mind.