Heat Is Not the Enemy — If You Have the Right Belt
From 120°C to 350°C, Somi's heat-resistant belt range covers every high-temperature challenge in cement, steel, and beyond — here's how to pick the right one.
Heat is one of the most destructive forces a conveyor belt can face. It causes rubber to harden, crack, and lose its structural integrity — often faster than operators expect. In industries like cement manufacturing, steel production, and mining, where hot materials are part of daily operations, using the wrong belt isn't just a maintenance problem. It's a safety risk and a productivity killer.
The good news is that not all belts react to heat the same way. Somi's heat-resistant conveyor belt range is engineered specifically for high-temperature environments, with five distinct grades matched to real operating conditions — from moderately hot to extreme.
Understanding the Range
Choosing a heat-resistant belt starts with knowing your actual operating temperature — not just the ambient environment, but the temperature of the material itself. Here's how Somi's range breaks down:
- T1 (up to 120°C) — Ideal for cement and steel plants handling moderately hot materials
- SHR (up to 150°C) — Built for hot clinker transport and kiln-adjacent operations
- UHR (up to 180°C) — Designed for furnace environments and intense heat handling
- SEHR-36 (up to 250°C) — Handles sintered ore, phosphate, and similar demanding loads
- SEHR-72 (up to 350°C) — For red hot cement and fine materials at extreme temperatures
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Using a belt rated for 120°C in a 180°C environment doesn't just mean faster wear — it means unpredictable failure. Cracks appear, covers peel, and material can spill or jam. In a cement plant or steel facility, that kind of unplanned downtime cascades quickly into significant production losses.
On the flip side, over-specifying a belt adds unnecessary cost. That's why matching the grade to the actual application — not just going with the highest-rated option — is always the smarter approach.
What to Look for Beyond Temperature Rating
Temperature tolerance is the starting point, but there are other factors worth considering when choosing a heat-resistant belt. Hardness change after aging, tensile strength retention, and breaking elongation after heat exposure all tell you how a belt will actually perform over time — not just on day one. Somi's belts are tested against these parameters so you get a clear picture of long-term performance, not just peak specs.
The right heat-resistant belt isn't just about surviving the heat. It's about maintaining performance, reducing maintenance cycles, and keeping your operation running safely and efficiently — no matter what comes off the line.