# Conventional Selection of Mechanical Fasteners for Flat Belts
## 2 Solution Overview
### Solid Fastener with Bolts/Screws Attachment Method  
An example is shown in Figure 23. Available in five material variants--Table 11.  
Figure 23: Bolt solid plate fastening: (**a**) general view, (**b**) single fastener [25].  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Material of Fastener** & **Magnetic** & \begin{tabular}{c} **Abrasion** \\ **Resistant** \\ \end{tabular} & \
\begin{tabular}{c} **Chemical** \\ **Resistant** \\ \end{tabular} &
\begin{tabular}{c} **Rust Resistant** \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline Galvanized Steel & Yes & ++ & + & + \\
400 Stainless Steel & Yes & ++ & ++ & ++ \\
300 Stainless Steel & Slightly & ++ & ++ & ++ \\ MegAlloy® & Yes & ++++ & + & + \\ Everdur & No & + & + & + \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 10: Fastener Material Characteristics ranging from one plus sign (+) to four plus signs (++++) [25].  
Figure 22: Rivet solid plate fastening: (**a**) general view using five contact points at each end of the belt; (**b**) cross section view using seven contact points at each end of belt [25].  
The bolt solid plate connection is the solution to the toughest requirements of conveyor belts. Designed in the form of plates compressed on both sides by screws. The plates have special hooks (shown in Figure 23b) that are shaped so that they penetrate the belt without damaging the cover.  
It is possible that the upper part is covered with rubber. This system can also be used in the arrangement of the so-called WEDLOK(r) for high tension splice. It uses standard connection plates, but additional special plates are supplied that allow a characteristic seam at a specific angle. Individual fasteners of this system can also serve as repair kits for broken conveyor belts.  
The next example uses a rubber joint instead of metal plates--shown in Figure 24. Application: quarries, cement plants, and mines, if the fastener is made out of steel and gold mines, phosphate mines, sorting center, fertilizer plant, recycling facilities and salt handling if the fastener is made out of stainless steel. This fastener is available in several qualities of rubber, shown below in Table 12. Depending on this material, the fastener shows different resistance properties.  
Figure 24: Screws rubber splice fastening: (**a**) one end of the belt attached, (**b**) suitable for trough systems of rollers of a belt conveyor [26].  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Material of** & **Magnetic** & **Abrasion** & **Chemical** & **Rust** \\
**Fastener** & **Magnetic** & **Resistant** & **Resistant** & **Resistant** \\ \hline Steel & Yes & ++++ & + & + \\
300 Stainless Steel & Slightly & ++++ & ++++ & ++++ \\ MegAlloy® & Yes & ++++ & + & + \\ Evedur & No & + & + & + \\ Rubber-Covered & Yes & ++++ & + & + \\ Steel & Yes & ++++ & + & + \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 11: Fastener Material Characteristics ranging from one plus sign (+) to four plus signs (++++) [25].  
Structurally, it is a flexible rubber connector in which threaded screws are applied. Two rubber sheets are pre-connected with screws and spaced apart with plastic sleeves. A skived end of the belt is placed in the gap between the rubber panels. Special cutting and skiving tools are available for the installation.  
An even better variation of the previous solution is the example in Figure 25. This is sort of a step forward from the standard solution. The difference is the use of inserts that act as washers for screws, whose number has been reduced, making installation easier and faster. The fastener integrates better with the belt, the strength has been improved, the abrasion resistance has been increased, and the lacing has been made more flexible. The is the possibility to use smaller pulley diameters.