Why Rubber Sheeting Fails Prematurely — And How to Extend Its Life
In one of Australia’s remote gold mining regions, an aging conveyor system was causing excessive maintenance costs and significant downtime. Belt slippage, pulley wear, and premature belt replacement were common issues—until a site-wide lagging upgrade using Rexline Premium Pulley Lagging transformed performance.
The Problem
The mine site operated under harsh conditions: abrasive material, high humidity, and 24/7 operation. Conveyor reliability was a constant pain point.
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Ceramic tiles in some lagging systems had debonded.
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Rubber lagging on drive pulleys wore unevenly.
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Carryback and water added to belt tracking problems.
The Solution
Rexline’s engineering team conducted a full system audit and proposed a multi-step solution:
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High-Durability Rubber Lagging
Rexline premium rubber lagging was applied to drive and bend pulleys. With enhanced grip and high abrasion resistance, it dramatically reduced belt slippage. -
Custom Thickness and Buffed Backing
Customised lagging sheets were produced with a buffed back for stronger adhesion and an optimised thickness profile tailored to pulley load. -
Improved Bonding Process
The installation crew followed Rexline’s 3-step surface prep and bonding process, reducing future delamination risk.
The Outcome
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30% increase in belt life
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Zero pulley-related breakdowns over 9 months
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Reduction in belt tension requirements, lowering energy usage
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Improved material flow and fewer production stoppages
Final Thoughts
Upgrading to high-performance lagging isn’t just about reducing wear—it’s about boosting the efficiency of your entire operation. For this mine site, Rexline products delivered a measurable ROI in just weeks.