As global demand for high-performance conveyor sealing systems continues to grow, many customers are turning to polyurethane skirting for its durability and long service life. This week, YIQI Conveyor successfully completed 300 meters of custom polyurethane skirt board for a long-term customer in New Zealand, marking another step in expanding our presence in Oceania's bulk handling market.
This customized batch was engineered specifically for use in quarrying and aggregate processing, where continuous impact, fine dust, and abrasive materials accelerate the wear of ordinary rubber skirt boards. The customer required a solution that combined exceptional wear resistance, stable sealing performance, and reduced maintenance frequency - and polyurethane proved to be the ideal choice.
1. Advanced Polyurethane Formulation for High Abrasion Environments
The skirt boards supplied for this project are produced using a proprietary polyurethane formulation featuring:
Abrasion loss ≤ 80 mm³ (DIN tested)
Hardness 65–70 Shore A for optimal balance of stiffness and flexibility
Superior rebound elasticity to maintain sealing performance without cracking
Long-term UV and ozone stability, ideal for New Zealand's outdoor installations
Compared to conventional rubber skirts, YIQI's polyurethane grade provides:
2.5× longer service life under abrasive material flow
Consistent sealing even after prolonged compression
Reduced risk of edge cracking, a common issue in rubber-based skirts
This performance level is essential for quarry and mining conveyors that operate in continuous duty cycles.
2. Precision-Cut Dimensions to Match Customer Equipment
New Zealand installations often involve imported conveyor systems with unique clamp designs or non-standard skirt arm spacing. To match the customer's equipment, YIQI delivered this order in precision-cut dimensions:
- Thickness: 10 mm
- Width: 150 mm/200mm
- Roll length: 10 m per roll
- Total delivered: 300 m (30 rolls)
Surface uniformity and dimensional accuracy were controlled within ±0.2 mm to ensure:
- Smooth installation into existing clamps
- Zero point-loading or bending stress
- Continuous sealing line throughout the belt's edge zone
The batch was fully inspected prior to packaging and demonstrated excellent tolerance stability.
3. Flexible Anti-Tear Structure for High-Impact Loading Points
Conveyors that handle aggregates or minerals require skirting materials with sufficient rebound and tear strength to withstand:
- Large lump impacts
- Belt vibration during startup
- Heavy drop loading at transfer points
YIQI's polyurethane skirt board is engineered with high tensile strength (25–35 MPa) and elongation at break over 450%, delivering:
- Resistance to tearing even after repeated compression cycles
- Ability to maintain contact with belt surface without deforming
- Protection against material spillage under variable loading conditions
This combination of rigidity and flexibility is one of the main reasons New Zealand quarry customers prefer polyurethane over traditional rubber skirting.
4. Smooth Low-Friction Surface for Reduced Belt Wear
Polyurethane inherently offers lower friction coefficients compared with synthetic rubber. The skirt surface finish is optimized to:
- Maintain sealing while reducing belt-edge wear
- Minimize heat build-up caused by continuous friction
- Avoid the ''scorching marks'' commonly seen with rubber skirts
This extends the lifespan of both the skirting and the conveyor belt itself, providing long-term cost savings.
5. High Performance in Wet, Dusty, or Cold Environments
New Zealand's coastal quarry sites often face a combination of:
- High humidity
- Dust exposure
- Abrasive fine particles
- Low temperature conditions
Polyurethane retains its elasticity and sealing performance far better than rubber in such environments. Even when exposed to moisture or temperature fluctuations, PU skirt boards remain:
- Stable in shape
- Resistant to swelling
- Non-brittle in cold conditions
This makes it a reliable sealing solution for the region's outdoor conveyors.
6. Export-Ready Packaging and Quality Assurance
Every roll undergoes:
- Dimensional measurement
- Hardness testing
- Abrasion testing
- Tensile and tear evaluation
- Visual inspection for surface uniformity
The 30 rolls were packed using:
- Reinforced woven bags
- Moisture protection film
- Palletized stacking for container loading
This ensures safe transport on the long route from China to New Zealand.
7. Customer Benefits and Expected Performance Improvements
The New Zealand client selected polyurethane skirting specifically to achieve:
- Lower maintenance frequency
- Improved dust control at transfer points
- Reduced material spillage
- Extended conveyor belt edge life
- Lower long-term operating cost
The customer is expected to reduce skirt replacement intervals by at least 50%, based on data from similar installations.
8. Conclusion
The completion of this 300-meter polyurethane skirt board order reinforces YIQI Conveyor's capability to deliver high-performance, customized skirting solutions for challenging industrial environments. With continuously upgraded formulations and precise manufacturing control, our polyurethane products remain a top choice for customers seeking durability, reliability, and long-term efficiency.
For customers in New Zealand, Australia, and other regions requiring advanced conveyor sealing solutions, YIQI Conveyor provides full customization - from hardness selection to dimension cutting and special-grade formulations.
