Contributing Factors Of Variability Associated With Abrasion Resistance Testing Of Conveyor Belt Cover Compounds

Abrasion testing has become a permanent fixture in the laboratories of many companies throughout the rubber industry.  Regardless of the method employed, the underlying principle involves the resistance to volume loss of a rubber article when subjected to an abrasive environment.  Within the context of plied rubber conveyor belting, this dynamic can be controlled and studied in the lab through use of instruments such as the “Rotating Drum DIN Abrasion Tester” and test standards like DIN ISO 4649.  The purpose of this paper is to educate those individuals exposed to the concept of rubber abrasion testing on the potential variability associated with the accepted industry test method and the corresponding factors that contribute to this variability.  The information presented is intended for any quality control personnel, chemist, salesperson, or potential customer who currently takes abrasion data at face value when making decisions involving compound / product integrity rather than using it as only one of many other important factors to consider.  It should also aid the laboratory technician in identifying and reducing sources of variation in their testing enabling them to perform higher quality, more consistent work.