Rubber Conveyor Belts EP and NN Carcass, 200 to 2000 N/mm
Rubber conveyor belts with EP and NN carcass, 200 to 2000 N/mm in 2 to 6 plies. DIN 22102 / ISO 14890 cover grades, any splice method, widths to your spec.
Rubber conveyor belts with an EP (polyester-nylon) or NN (nylon-nylon) carcass are the workhorses of most conveyors. EP has lower elongation and better dimensional stability, which is why it dominates; NN has better resistance to impact and flexing fatigue, which keeps it in service on shorter, harder-working conveyors.
Between roughly 200 and 2000 N/mm these belts cover almost everything that is not a long overland run. They can be spliced by any method, they tolerate reasonably tight pulley diameters, and they are the belt most sites actually standardise on.
What You Are Actually Getting
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Tensile range | 200 - 2000 N/mm |
| Carcass | EP (polyester-nylon) or NN (nylon-nylon), 2 - 6 plies |
| Cover grades | DIN Y / W / X / Z mapped to ISO L / D / H - see the grade table |
| Splice | Mechanical fastener 50 - 70 % of belt strength; cold vulcanised 70 - 85 %; hot vulcanised 85 - 100 % |
| Application | General bulk handling, short to medium conveyors - the workhorse |
| Standards | DIN 22102 / EN ISO 14890, AS 1332, JIS K 6322, RMA grades |
| Notation | Grade plus cover thickness, for example EP 500/4 6+2 X - carcass type, tensile, ply count, top and bottom cover |
EP or NN: What the Carcass Decides
The two carcasses are not interchangeable in behaviour, only in dimensions. The choice affects elongation, impact tolerance and how the belt behaves on the take-up.
| Property | EP (polyester-nylon) | NN (nylon-nylon) |
|---|---|---|
| Elongation | Lower - better dimensional stability over distance | Higher - needs more take-up travel |
| Impact resistance | Good | Better - nylon absorbs impact and flexing fatigue |
| Moisture behaviour | Stable - polyester does not absorb much water | Nylon absorbs moisture and can grow in length |
| Typical use | The default for most conveyors; medium to long runs | Short, hard-working conveyors; high-impact loading |
| Splice behaviour | Predictable, lower stretch at the joint | More stretch, joints need more attention |
Both carcasses are available in the same tensile range and can be combined with the same cover grades. The decision is about behaviour, not about strength.
Specifying a Fabric Belt Properly
Grade letter plus cover thickness
EP 500/4 6+2 X means EP carcass, 500 N/mm, four plies, 6 mm top cover, 2 mm bottom, grade X. Quoting only the tensile rating leaves half the belt unspecified.
Cover grade follows the material
Y for general service, W for abrasive ore and rock, X for sharp lump at a drop, Z where cover cost dominates. The most common expensive mistake is a Y cover on abrasive duty.
Splice method is part of the belt
Mechanical 50 to 70 %, cold vulcanised 70 to 85 %, hot vulcanised 85 to 100 %. On a high-tension belt, choosing a mechanical fastener quietly derates the whole conveyor.
Ply count, not just tensile
The same tensile rating is available at different ply counts. Fewer, thicker plies flex better on small pulleys; more plies distribute impact better. Tell us the pulley diameters.
NN and moisture
Nylon absorbs water and can grow in length. On a wet conveyor, EP is the safer choice unless the impact duty specifically calls for NN.
Where EP and NN Belts Fit
- General bulk handling — The default. Quarries, cement, grain, aggregate - anything short to medium distance with moderate tension.
- High-impact loading — NN where the impact and flexing fatigue dominate. On very severe impact, consider whether the belt is the right protection at all - an impact bed may be cheaper than a heavier belt.
- Mixed duty and standardisation — Sites that standardise on one carcass to keep spares simple. EP is usually the better standard because it behaves more predictably.
Rubber Conveyor Belts FAQ
EP or NN - which should I choose?
EP for most conveyors: lower elongation, stable in moisture, predictable splicing. NN where impact and flexing fatigue are the dominant loads, or on short conveyors where the higher elongation does not matter.
What does EP 500/4 6+2 X mean?
EP carcass, 500 N/mm tensile, four plies, 6 mm top cover, 2 mm bottom cover, DIN grade X. Every part of that string is a real specification and leaving one out changes what you get.
Can I use a mechanical splice?
Yes, up to 50 to 70 % of belt strength. That is fine on a short, low-tension conveyor and a derating on a long one. Decide it with the belt, not after the belt is on site.
How many plies do I need?
It follows the tensile requirement and the pulley diameters. Fewer thicker plies flex better around small pulleys; more plies spread impact better. Send the pulley diameters and the tension and the ply count follows.
How Orders Run
T/T — 40% deposit with order, 60% balance before shipment. L/C at sight accepted for container orders.
Quoted per order. The schedule depends on the drawing, the quantity and the material — we state a firm date with the quotation instead of a catalogue figure.
15 months from B/L date against manufacturing defects. Claims supported by photos and batch number.
Packing, minimum order and Incoterms are set out in full on the quotation page.
Rubber Conveyor Belts Built to Your Drawing
Send the belt width, the duty and, if you have one, the drawing. We will specify it, quote within 24 hours, and ship samples in 2–3 days.
Talk to Our Engineers