Hybrid Cord Technology
Hybrid cord allows the use of:
- Strands twisted in opposite directions
- Materials of different strengths
- Materials of different modulus
- By using two materials, each can be used in the environment where it will perform best
Hybrid cord benefits:
- Longer belt life
- Stronger belts
- Stiffer belts
- Narrower belts
Hybrid cords have a different inner portion to the outer portion. The simplest hybrid is one where the inner strands of the plied structure have different (strand) twist to those of the outer strands. The inner and outer strands do not have to be made with the same fibre material. One example is to use glass strands for the centre of the cord, and aramid strands for the outside of the cord. Another example is to use a high modulus material (carbon fibre, PBO, aramid and others) in the middle and lower modulus glass (or other material) around the outside. This last combination has been demonstrated to give good performance for rubber adhesion and flex fatigue life.
Timing belts with hybrid cords can be produced for enhanced performance in hot, cold, dry and wet (including oil) environments. This gives the potential for high modulus narrow timing belts with good environmental performance to replace equivalent metal parts, such as timing chains.
