The most common systems for transmitting power from a drive to a driven shaft are belt, gear, and chain drives. But V-belt drive systems, also known as friction drives (because power is transmitted consequently of the belt’s adherence to the pulley) are an economical option for industrial, auto, commercial, agricultural, and home appliance applications. V-belt drives are also simple to install, require no lubrication, and dampen shock load.
Here’s the catch: Regular friction drives may both slide and creep, leading to inexact velocity ratios or degraded timing precision between input and output shafts. For this reason, it is essential to choose a belt befitting the application at hand.
Belt drives are one of the earliest power transmitting systems and were trusted during the Industrial Revolution. After that, toned belts conveyed power over large distances and were created from leather. Later, demands for more powerful machinery, and the growth of large markets such as the automobile market spurred new belt designs. V-belts, with a trapezoidal or V shape, made of rubber, neoprene, and urethane synthetic materials, replaced smooth belts. Now, the improved overall surface material of modern belts adheres to pulley grooves through friction push, to reduce the tension required to transmit torque. The top portion of the belt, called the strain or insulation section, includes fiber cords for improved strength as it carries the strain of traction push. It helps hold tension members set up and works as a binder for higher adhesion between cords and additional sections. In this manner, heat build-up is reduced, extending belt life.
We’ve designed our V-belts for wear, corrosion, and heat level of resistance with OE quality suit and construction for reliable, long-long lasting performance.
V-Belts are the most common kind of drive belt used for power transmission. Their primary function is definitely to transmit power from a major source, just like a engine, to a secondary driven unit. They offer the best mixture of traction, speed transfer, load distribution, and V Belt extended service life. The majority are countless and their cross section is trapezoidal or “V” designed. The “V” shape of the belt tracks in a likewise formed groove on a pulley or sheave. The v-belt wedges in to the groove as the strain increases creating power distribution and torque. V-belts are generally made of rubber or polymer or there could be fibers embedded for added strength and reinforcement.
V-belts are generally within two construction types: envelope (wrapped) and raw edge.

Wrapped belts have an increased resistance to oils and severe temperature ranges. They can be used as friction clutches during set up.
Raw edge type v-belts are more efficient, generate less heat, enable smaller pulley diameters, increase power ratings, and provide longer life.
V-belts appear to be relatively benign and simple devices. Just measure the top width and circumference, find another belt with the same sizes, and slap it on the drive. There’s only 1 problem: that approach is approximately as wrong as you can get.