Wire-Mesh furnace belts are used in a wide variety of industries. In heat treating, these belts are exposed to harsh environments, including elevated temperatures and corrosive atmospheres. This article, based on a presentation at the 2000 MPIF International Conference on powder metallurgy and particulate materials, New York, NY, discusses the effect of using round versus flattened wire on the elongation and stress in wire-mesh belts as determined by finite element analysis (FEM). The interaction between the various shaped contact regions and various shaped wires is examined.
Recent results at a PM user showed a gain of 40% life versus a competitor’s design. Furthermore, splicing was reduced by a factor of 3 (1 cut for WMP vs. 3 cuts for the competitor’s belt)