EP, NN, and EE Canvas: Which Conveyor Belt Should You Choose?

In industrial conveyor systems, if rubber is the "skin" of a conveyor belt, then the carcass fabric is its "spine." Choosing the wrong carcass material is like running a marathon in flip-flops—not only inefficient but also leading to serious mechanical failures. At SFT Rubber, we frequently receive inquiries from customers about how to choose between EP (Polyester/Nylon), NN (Nylon/Nylon), and EE (Polyester/Nylon) canvases. Today, we'll use data comparisons to help you make the optimal decision.

1. EP Canvas (Polyester/Nylon): The All-Round Champion

EP canvas is woven from warp polyester (E) and weft nylon (P). It is currently the most mainstream choice for industrial applications worldwide. 

Key Advantage: 

Extremely Low Modulus Elongation: Under rated load, EP belts have extremely low elongation (typically less than 1.5%), meaning you don't need to frequently adjust the tensioner. 

Superior Water Resistance:Polyester fibers maintain their strength even in humid environments.

Temperature Stability: Compared to nylon, it exhibits greater dimensional stability at high temperatures.

Suitable Applications: Long-distance transportation, cement plants, quarries, grain conveying.

2. NN Canvas (Nylon/Nylon): Impact Resistance Expert

NN canvas uses nylon fibers in both warp and weft. If you prioritize "elasticity" and "toughness," NN is the ideal choice. 

Key Advantages:

Excellent Elasticity: Nylon's high elasticity allows it to absorb significant impact loads.

Excellent Trenching Properties: NN canvas is very soft, allowing it to better conform to rollers and prevent material spillage.

Fatigue Resistance: Withstands high-frequency bending and twisting.

Suitable Applications: Transportation of large ore blocks, unloading at high-impact docks, conveyor systems requiring small-diameter rollers.

3. EE Canvas (Polyester/Polyester): Precision and Extremely Low Elongation

EE canvas (or polyester canvas) uses high-strength polyester in both warp and weft. Although its application range is narrower than EP, it is irreplaceable in specific fields. 

Key advantages: 

Extreme dimensional accuracy: virtually no creep. 

Chemical corrosion resistance: superior resistance to acidic and alkaline environments compared to nylon. 

Suitable Applications: Automated conveyor lines with extremely high requirements for belt length accuracy, fertilizer plants.

In-depth Analysis: Why is EP replacing NN? 

In the past, NN canvas was popular due to its high strength. However, as conveyors become increasingly longer, "elongation" has become a major cost hazard. 

A 1000-meter conveyor belt using NN canvas might elongate to 20-30 meters; while using SFT high-strength EP canvas, the elongation can be controlled to within 10 meters. This not only reduces downtime for maintenance but also lowers the construction cost of the tensioning system.

Conclusion: Your Ultimate Choice

Choose EP: If your conveyor line is long, the environment is humid, and you want to reduce maintenance frequency.

Choose NN: If your material drop is large, the rocks are sharp, and the conveyor roller diameter is small.

Choose EE: If you are in a highly corrosive chemical environment or have extreme requirements for belt length precision.

As a leading global supplier of rubber materials, SFT offers a full range of reinforcing materials, from CC (cotton canvas) to high-performance EP, NN, and EE. Our products not only meet DIN and AS standards but can also be customized to your specific working tension.

Want the latest SFT canvas technical specifications or free samples? Please contact our Technical Manager Chris: chris@sftdtex.com

or leave a message below and we will provide you with a professional quote within 24 hours!