mornhm - FSO wrote on 08/10/10 at 07:41:39:


Agree, these "cuts" are currious.  And the odd abrassion along the outside edge aren't consistent.  They can't be from something rubbing on the belts in operation.  More like hanger rash.  Whatever cut the top edge, damaged the fibers too.  And if the outside fiber was cut, would provide a starting point for the tear.

It's a very crisp, almost clean "Z" type snap. Is it odd for a kevlar reinforced belt to break like that? Nothing that looks like a tear, little fraying, and all those right angles. I can't put my finger on it, but something doesn't seem right about the way the belt broke. Let us know what you find out. My imagination is running wild with images of some nefarious person(s) with evil intent and a pair of bolt cutters doing a half cut on the belt, then it giving way after a while due to tension when under speed. Have you pissed anyone off?

Kevlar is an odd beast.
Used to use kevlar bow strings in competition.  They didn't last as long as Dacron? strings, which basically lasted forever vs. 1000 shots.
The problem is the strands don't stretch.  So packed in a spiral cord, the outer fibers received the full load.  While the inner fibers aren't loaded.  but once it started to tear, the whole string went quickly.