Poly-V belt comprising a layer of thermoplastic material
Poly-V belts are disclosed that have a body in an elastomeric material, preferably EPDM, a plurality of durable filiform inserts longitudinally embedded in the body, and a coupling portion integrally connected to the body and comprising a plurality of V-shaped ribs in side by side arrangement alternating with V-shaped grooves. A layer of a thermoplastic material at least partially covers the ribs, and a knitted fabric is arranged over the thermoplastic material. Preferably, the thermoplastic material includes a polyolefin irradiated with a dose amount of radiation between 60 and 140 kGy.
1. A poly-V belt comprising:
a body comprising a first elastomeric material,
a plurality of filiform inserts longitudinally embedded in the body, and
a coupling portion integrally connected to the body and comprising:
a plurality of V-shaped ribs, side by side and alternating with V-shaped grooves,
an at least partially thermoplastic material arranged over said coupling portion and at least partially covering said ribs, and
a fibrous material chosen from the group consisting of a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric and a knitted fabric arranged over said at least partially thermoplastic material,
wherein said at least partially thermoplastic material is an electron-irradiated, partially thermoplastic material, thereby being partially cross-linked.
2. A belt according to claim 1 , wherein said at least partially thermoplastic material is irradiated with radiation energy comprised between 10 and 200 kGy.
3. A belt according to claim 2 , wherein said radiation energy is comprised between 60 and 140 kGy.
4. A belt according to claim 2 , wherein said radiation energy is comprised between 80 and 120 kGy.
5. A belt according to claim 1 , wherein said first elastomeric material is an ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer.
6. A belt according to claim 1 , wherein said ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer is EPDM.
7. A belt according to claim 1 , wherein said at least partially thermoplastic material comprises a polyolefin.
8. A belt according to claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic material comprises a polyethylene homopolymer or copolymer.
9. A belt according to claim 8 , wherein said polyethylene is chosen from the group constituted by LDPE, LLDPE, UHMWDPE or mixtures thereof.
10. A belt according to claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic material has a thickness comprised between 30 μm and 200 μm.
11. A belt according to claim 1 , wherein said fibrous material is a knitted fabric.
12. A belt according to claim 11 , wherein said knitted fabric has an interlock configuration.
13. A belt according to claim 11 , wherein the basis weight of said knitted fabric is comprised between 50 and 100 g/m2.
14. A belt according to claim 1 , wherein the fabric is treated with an elastomeric material.