Bricq Corrugator Belts (France) for Double Backers
1. Introduction
Corrugator belts (double backer belts) are technical textile belts running in the double backer of a corrugator line. They press the board onto the hot plates so the starch cures, let moisture escape, and pull the board evenly towards the slitter scorer and cut-off. Belt quality directly affects bonding, board flatness, line speed and liner surface quality.
Bricq is a French technical textile manufacturer founded in 1891, specializing in corrugator belts and textile products for corrugator lines. According to the manufacturer, more than 800 Bricq belts are running in over 90 countries. PTS is the distributor of Bricq belts in Vietnam.
2. What Is a Corrugator Belt
The double backer has two sections, each using belts with a different role:
- Top belt: runs through the heating section and the traction section. In the heating section it is pressed down by the pressure system (ballast rolls, pressure shoes or air bags), holding the board against the hot plates while the starch cures, and it pulls the board through the double backer.
- Bottom belt: used only in the traction/cooling section. Together with the top belt it grips the board, pulls it evenly and cools it before the slitter scorer.
Belts are driven by a lagged drive drum for friction and kept aligned by automatic tracking rolls.
3. Role in the Corrugator Line
| Role | Impact on production |
|---|---|
| Even pressure and heat transfer | Uniform pressure across the width lets the starch cure evenly, reducing delamination and open flutes. |
| Moisture release (permeability) | Steam from the starch must escape through the belt. Good permeability dries the board faster, reduces warp and allows higher speeds. |
| Stable board transport | Slipping or uneven pulling causes cut-length errors at the cut-off and fast belt wear. |
| Protecting the liner surface | A flat belt surface and seams without metal hooks leave no marks, especially on white top liners and E, F flutes for high-graphics printing. |
4. Basic Specifications
| Parameter | Meaning | Reference values (Bricq data) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Woven, needled or hybrid; determines durability, permeability and weight. | Woven: most durable. Needled: smoother surface, higher permeability. Hybrid: light, very high permeability. |
| Permeability | Air flow through the belt; determines moisture release. | Woven: 200 – 300 m³/m²/h (at 300 mm water gauge). Needled: 2 – 5 times higher. Hybrid: 15 – 20 times higher. |
| Weight | Heavier belts last longer but consume more drive energy and heat. | Woven: 6.5 – 10 kg/m². Needled and hybrid belts are lighter. |
| Dimensional stability | Shrinkage or stretch in length during service. | Woven: 1 – 1.5%. Needled and hybrid: about ±0.5%. |
| Seam | How the belt ends are joined into an endless loop. | Integrated diagonal seam, flocked or flap type, leaving no hook marks on the board. |
| Edge treatment | Belt edges run directly on the hot plates where no board covers them and are prone to burning, wear and glue build-up. | G3 edge coating (silicone and ceramic blend). |
| Dimensions | Length and width of top and bottom belts. | According to each double backer. |
5. Bricq Belt Range
| Line | Construction | Position | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bricq-Power | Woven, high density and thickness, hygroscopic polyester fibres | Top and bottom | All corrugator brands and pressure systems; heavy and medium-light grades at low to medium speed; double backers with pressure plates. Bricq’s best seller. |
| Bricq-Master | Needled, multilayer, low density | Top and bottom | Surface-sensitive grades: white top liners, E and F flutes, high-graphics packaging. |
| Bricq-Four | Needled on a highly resistant 4-layer woven base | Top and bottom | Double backers running in rough conditions while producing delicate grades. |
| Bricq-Speed | Hybrid: monofilament and hygroscopic polyester yarns, open weave | Top | Very high-speed corrugators (above 400 m/min) with long runs, light and single-wall grades. Bricq states about 15% energy saving. Not suitable for heavy grades. |
| Bricq-Track W / Track D | Silicone-coated for traction; W woven, D needled | Bottom | Double backers with bottom-belt slippage: short traction sections, small drive drums, bottom belts shorter than 10.5 m; coated, white top and heavy grades. Track D is not recommended for drive drums below 800 mm or with a Bricq-Speed top belt. |
6. Bricq Technologies
- Heat setting: belts are pre-stretched and heat-stabilized before delivery, reducing elongation in service and improving tracking and noise.
- G3 edge treatment: a silicone–ceramic coating that resists heat and abrasion, limits glue build-up and edge hydrolysis, and reduces drag on the hot plates.
- Integrated diagonal seam: flocked or flap seams with no exposed metal hooks on the paper side, leaving no marks on the board.
- Flattened surface: lower noise over the rolls and fewer marks on the liner.
7. Selection Factors
| Factor | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Board grades and flutes | Heavy grades and BC flute need durable belts; white top liners and E, F flutes need a smooth, non-marking surface. |
| Speed and run length | High speed and long runs call for light, highly permeable belts; low to medium speed with mixed grades suits a versatile woven belt. |
| Pressure system | Ballast rolls, pressure shoes or air bags influence the choice of belt construction. |
| Double backer data | Brand, model, width, length of heating and traction sections, drive drum diameter. |
| Belt slippage | If the bottom belt slips, consider a silicone-coated belt and check the drive drum lagging. |
| Maintenance level | Woven belts tolerate less rigorous maintenance; high-speed hybrid belts require careful maintenance and pressure-system adjustment. |
8. Installation, Maintenance and Common Problems
| Problem | Typical causes | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom belt slippage | Short traction section, high paper tension, high friction, worn drum lagging | Use a silicone-coated belt; re-lag the drive drum |
| Cut-length errors at the cut-off | Uneven pulling or slipping belts | Eliminate slippage; check tension and drive drum |
| Belt mistracking | Tracking system not working, uneven tension, uneven belt stretch | Check tracking, adjust tension; use heat-set belts |
| Burnt, worn or glue-covered edges | Belt edges running on hot plates without board cover | Choose belts with edge treatment; clean edges, trim loose yarns, heat-seal edges |
| Increasing warp and delamination | Belt clogged by starch and paper dust, reduced permeability | Professional cleaning to restore permeability |
| Marks on the board | Metal hook seams, damaged seam | Repair or re-seam with a flocked or flap seam |
- Correct installation: check rolls, hot plates and tracking before fitting a new belt; tension and run in according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Regular inspection: belt edges, seam, surface wear and drive drum lagging.
- Cleaning: do not let starch dry on the belt; when permeability drops, clean the belt professionally instead of raising heat or reducing speed.
9. Technology Trends
- Light, highly permeable hybrid belts for lines above 400 m/min, reducing steam and power consumption.
- Ceramic-coated edges for longer life and less cleaning.
- Mark-free seams for high-graphics printing on white top liners.
- Silicone-coated bottom belts to eliminate slippage in short traction sections.
10. PTS Solutions
PTS is the distributor of Bricq (France) corrugator belts in Vietnam, supplying belts for double backers of all corrugator brands.
- Top and bottom belts: Bricq-Power, Bricq-Master, Bricq-Four, Bricq-Speed, Bricq-Track.
- Advice on belt selection based on board grades, speed, pressure system and actual double backer condition.
- Installation support, inspection of belts and drive drums.
- Related equipment and parts: double backer, drive roll stand, corrugating and pressure rolls, rotary steam joints. See also corrugator line.
11. Conclusion
Corrugator belts determine bonding, board flatness and line speed. Choosing the right belt for the board grades, speed and pressure system, combined with correct installation and maintenance, keeps the corrugator running stably, saves energy and extends belt life.
Need advice on corrugator belts? Send PTS the following information:
- Double backer brand, model and width
- Length and width of current top and bottom belts
- Pressure system, drive drum diameter, running speed
- Main board grades and flutes, and current problems (slippage, mistracking, marks, warp…)
