Overview
ISO 583:2023 - "Conveyor belts with a textile carcass - Total belt thickness and thickness of constitutive elements - Test methods" specifies standardized laboratory methods to measure the total thickness and the thickness of individual constitutive elements (covers, carcass, interlayers) of conveyor belts with a textile carcass. The standard applies to industrial conveyor belts (not to light conveyor belts covered by ISO 21183‑1). It defines test pieces, measurement points, required apparatus and the expression of results to ensure repeatable, comparable thickness data.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and exclusions: Applies to textile‑carcass conveyor belts; excludes light conveyor belts per ISO 21183‑1.
- Apparatus: Uses a flat rigid baseplate and a gauge with a flat circular foot (10 mm diameter). Gauge resolution of at least 0.1 mm is required.
- Pressure for thickness measurement: Specified pressures are used depending on material hardness:
- (22 ± 5) kPa for materials with hardness ≥ 35 IRHD
- (10 ± 2) kPa for softer materials
- Test pieces: Two permitted shapes - a rectangular full‑width piece (test piece 1) or a wedge‑shaped piece (test piece 2) for specific constructions.
- Measurement points: Points are spaced equidistantly along the belt width; the standard specifies minimum numbers of points based on belt width (e.g., 3, 5 or 8 points depending on L).
- Procedures:
- Total thickness: measure at each point under specified pressure; calculate arithmetic mean and report to nearest 0.1 mm; report range (max − min).
- Cover thickness: two methods
- When covers can be removed: measure total, then remove top cover and remeasure, then remove bottom cover; compute cover thickness by subtraction.
- When covers cannot be removed: measure directly on a cut edge using an optical micrometer or travelling microscope (scale 0.1 mm).
- Carcass and interlayer thickness: procedures for stripped and unstripped carcass and for separable/non‑separable interlayers are included.
- Test report: Standard specifies the required results and documentation to be recorded.
Applications and users
ISO 583:2023 is intended for:
- Conveyor belt manufacturers - to verify construction and provide consistent product data.
- Quality control and testing laboratories - to perform accredited thickness testing.
- Purchasers and end‑users (mining, bulk handling, ports, manufacturing) - to compare belt specifications and ensure conformity.
- Inspection bodies and certifiers - for conformance assessment and contract verification.
Practical benefits include harmonized test methods, reliable comparison of belt constructions, and clearer supplier‑buyer agreements on thickness tolerances.
Related standards
- ISO 21183‑1 (light conveyor belts) - exclusion reference.
- Developed by ISO/TC 41 in cooperation with CEN/TC 188; consult these committees for related belt standards and terms.
Keywords: ISO 583:2023, conveyor belts, textile carcass, belt thickness, cover thickness, interlayer thickness, test methods, thickness measurement.