DRAFT Sika develops “on-site repair” kit for conveyor belts

Baar, Switzerland – Sika AG has developed an acrylic-based system for cold fast repair of rubber components, particularly in conveyor belts.

In a 3 Oct statement the Swiss chemicals company said the system uses SikaBond R&B Activator, a specially-formulated activator for the treatment of synthetic rubber surfaces, before applying SikaBond R&B-210 adhesive.

Customers, it said, have confirmed that the adhesive system “is equivalent to hot vulcanisation, if not superior, due to greater robustness.”

Conveyor belts are widely used in highly demanding applications and the exposure to heavy stress leads to wear and tear.

The repair of rubber components typically requires hot vulcanisation to restore the original strength.

Solvent-based contact adhesives are also broadly used for repair but according to Sika the resulting bonding strength often varies over a wide performance range.

Sika states that its adhesive system will reduce down time by cutting the conventional required steps such as buffing, cementing, filling, curing and pressing or bonding during the belt repair.