Sheave wear caused by old belts?

[shooon]

Can V-Belts harden and create wear on sheaves as they age? Someone mentioned this to me and I've never heard of it before.

Background:
Where I work, we have 18x 25HP ariel cooler fans used to cool glycol installed outdoors. Each fan has 8 belts that are 5-6 years old and have been exposed to the elements. No signs of cracking, just appear slightly glazed and hardened.

 

[acmikee]

yes sheave do wear out

 

[ForceFed70]

Seems a stretch to me. Unless the belts are reinforced with steel wire, the sheave material should be much harder than the belt material - regardless of age.

Sheaves certainly do wear - especially when sand/grit intrusion occurs. What material are they made of? Aluminum?

 

[A_Pmech]

Abrasive material embedded in the belt and belt slip will cause sheave wear.

 

[ForceFed70]

Abrasive material embedded in the belt and belt slip will cause sheave wear.

Yes certainly. But the OP's question was essentially: "Does an old belt in good condition cause more wear than a new belt?".

 

[derkperk]

An old belt is likely worn thinner than a new one, unless it has perfect alignment. As a rubber belt ages, raw edge or wrapped, it will harden causing it to slip. The slipping WILL wear your sheaves and pullies.

Belts are a lot cheaper that 8 groove pullies.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

 

[dw1]

An old belt is likely worn thinner than a new one, unless it has perfect alignment. As a rubber belt ages, raw edge or wrapped, it will harden causing it to slip. The slipping WILL wear your sheaves and pullies.

Belts are a lot cheaper that 8 groove pullies.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

Alignment, that's what I would check if they are wearing.