Mesh belts come in all shapes, sizes, materials and weaves and are used for such diverse applications as case hardening, brazing, sintering and glass-to-metal sealing to name a few. Belts run at temperatures from near ambient to several thousand degrees. They are expected not only to work in the furnaces but also for external part conveyance or in water, oil, brine, polymer and salt quench tanks. Mesh belts are exposed to a multitude of furnace atmospheres ranging from air to pure hydrogen and can be exposed to oxidation, sulfidation, carburization and nitriding. They operate in environments spanning dew points from below -100°F to above +100°F. And most of us expect our belts to perform well beyond normal expectations. How do they survive, and how can we make them last even longer? Let’s learn more.

When operating a mesh-belt conveyor furnace, for example, if the goal of the furnace should be to maintain a consistent temperature profile and uniform belt loading for any given part number over time. Premature or abnormally short belt life is often the sign of overloading, misapplication, abuse, neglect or ignorance. The vast majority of belt failures are either due to overloading or poor belt-system adjustments. Following some simple advice may extend your current belt life considerably.