Conveyor belts — Transverse flexibility (troughability) — Test method

This document specifies a test method for determining the transverse flexibility (troughability) of a conveyor belt, expressed as a ratio, F/L. The method is not suitable or valid for light conveyor belts as described in ISO 21183-1. NOTE The transverse “flexibility” determined by the method described in this document is only indirectly associated with the inverse of flexural modulus as specified in ISO 178. Nor does it take into consideration the differences in “flexibility” as exhibited by three-point and four-point bending, which takes account of the flexural strain and the thickness of the test piece.

Courroies transporteuses — Flexibilité transversale (aptitude à la mise en auge) — Méthode d'essai

Le présent document spécifie une méthode d’essai pour déterminer la flexibilité transversale (aptitude à la mise en auge) d’une courroie transporteuse, exprimée comme le rapport F/L. Cette méthode n’est pas applicable ou valable pour les courroies transporteuses légères décrites dans l’ISO 21183-1. NOTE La « flexibilité » transversale déterminée par la méthode décrite dans le présent document est uniquement associée indirectement avec le module de flexion inverse spécifié dans l’ISO 178. Elle ne tient pas compte non plus des différences de « flexibilité » démontrées par la flexion en trois et quatre points, laquelle tient compte de l’effort de flexion et de l’épaisseur de l’éprouvette.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
24-Jul-2025
Current Stage
6060 - International Standard published
Start Date
25-Jul-2025
Due Date
20-Nov-2025
Completion Date
25-Jul-2025

Relations

Effective Date
12-Feb-2026
Effective Date
02-Dec-2023
Effective Date
25-Nov-2023

Overview

ISO 703:2025 specifies a standardized test method for assessing the transverse flexibility, also known as troughability, of conveyor belts. This international standard defines the procedure for measuring how well a conveyor belt forms a trough shape under its own weight, which is essential for optimal performance in material handling applications. The method applies exclusively to heavy conveyor belts and is not suitable for light conveyor belts as defined in ISO 21183-1.

Transverse flexibility is expressed as a ratio (F/L) between the maximum vertical deflection (F) and the width (L) of a sample belt section. This property is crucial for determining whether a conveyor belt can align properly with idler rollers, ensuring stability and preventing misalignment issues.

Key Topics

  • Test Objective: Evaluate the ability of a conveyor belt to bend transversely, ensuring that it forms a proper trough to facilitate efficient material transport.
  • Test Method: Involves suspending a section of the belt by both ends, allowing it to sag under its own weight. The vertical deflection is measured after a conditioning period according to ISO 18573.
  • Expression of Results: The standard prescribes expressing the measured transverse flexibility as the ratio F/L for comparative evaluation.
  • Applicability: The method is intended for heavy conveyor belts and specifically excludes light conveyor belts covered by ISO 21183-1.
  • Associated Properties: Although related, the flexibility measured in ISO 703:2025 is only indirectly associated with flexural modulus and does not replace direct flexural tests as specified in other standards, such as ISO 178.

Applications

ISO 703:2025 is vital for industries relying on robust conveyor systems, such as mining, bulk material handling, ports, and manufacturing. Proper testing of transverse flexibility ensures:

  • Belt Compatibility: Verifies that the conveyor belt is suitable for its intended application, aligning effectively with three-roller idler sets.
  • Operational Safety: Reduces the risk of belt instability, lateral movement, or derailment that can lead to downtime or equipment damage.
  • Performance Optimization: Helps manufacturers and end-users select conveyor belts with appropriate troughability for their specific system requirements.
  • Quality Control: Standardized test reporting ensures repeatability, transparency, and comparability across different suppliers and installations.

Related Standards

The following ISO standards are often referenced together with ISO 703:2025 for comprehensive conveyor belt evaluation:

  • ISO 583: Details test methods for determining total belt thickness and thickness of constitutive elements in textile carcass conveyor belts.
  • ISO 7590: Specifies methods for determining total thickness and cover thickness for steel cord conveyor belts.
  • ISO 18573: Standardizes test atmospheres and conditioning durations for conveyor belt testing, ensuring repeatable environmental conditions.
  • ISO 178: Outlines methods for determining flexural properties in plastics, indirectly related to the concept of belt flexibility.
  • ISO 21183-1: Defines principal characteristics and applications for light conveyor belts, outside the scope of ISO 703:2025.

Practical Value

Standardizing the measurement of transverse flexibility with ISO 703:2025 ensures consistent quality and reliable performance in conveyor belt systems. Manufacturers, quality assurance teams, and industrial operators benefit from:

  • Objective Assessments: Facilitates uniform evaluation and benchmarking across different belt types and suppliers.
  • Enhanced Belt Longevity: Selecting belts with suitable troughability reduces wear and premature failure.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to ISO standards supports legal, contractual, and safety requirements in international and regional markets.

Adopting ISO 703:2025 helps organizations deliver safe, efficient, and compliant material handling solutions through reliable conveyor belt performance.

Buy Documents

Standard

ISO 703:2025 - Conveyor belts — Transverse flexibility (troughability) — Test method Released:25. 07. 2025

English language (6 pages)
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview
Standard

ISO 703:2025 - Courroies transporteuses — Flexibilité transversale (aptitude a la mise en auge) — Méthode d'essai Released:26. 08. 2025

French language (6 pages)
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview

Frequently Asked Questions

ISO 703:2025 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Conveyor belts — Transverse flexibility (troughability) — Test method". This standard covers: This document specifies a test method for determining the transverse flexibility (troughability) of a conveyor belt, expressed as a ratio, F/L. The method is not suitable or valid for light conveyor belts as described in ISO 21183-1. NOTE The transverse “flexibility” determined by the method described in this document is only indirectly associated with the inverse of flexural modulus as specified in ISO 178. Nor does it take into consideration the differences in “flexibility” as exhibited by three-point and four-point bending, which takes account of the flexural strain and the thickness of the test piece.

This document specifies a test method for determining the transverse flexibility (troughability) of a conveyor belt, expressed as a ratio, F/L. The method is not suitable or valid for light conveyor belts as described in ISO 21183-1. NOTE The transverse “flexibility” determined by the method described in this document is only indirectly associated with the inverse of flexural modulus as specified in ISO 178. Nor does it take into consideration the differences in “flexibility” as exhibited by three-point and four-point bending, which takes account of the flexural strain and the thickness of the test piece.

ISO 703:2025 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 53.040.20 - Components for conveyors. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ISO 703:2025 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 703:2025, ISO 24605:2024, ISO 703:2017. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

ISO 703:2025 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


International
Standard
ISO 703
Fifth edition
Conveyor belts — Transverse
2025-07
flexibility (troughability) —
Test method
Courroies transporteuses — Flexibilité transversale (aptitude à la
mise en auge) — Méthode d'essai
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols . 1
5 Principle . 1
6 Apparatus . 2
7 Test piece . 3
7.1 Dimensions .3
7.2 Conditioning.3
8 Procedure . 4
9 Calculation and expression of results . 4
10 Test report . 4
Bibliography . 6

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 41, Pulleys and belts (including veebelts),
Subcommittee SC 3, Conveyor belts, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization
(CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 188, Conveyor belts, in accordance with the Agreement on technical
cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition (ISO 703:2017), which has been technically revised.
The main change is as follows: the conditioning atmospheres have been revised in 7.2.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
...


Norme
internationale
ISO 703
Cinquième édition
Courroies transporteuses —
2025-07
Flexibilité transversale (aptitude à
la mise en auge) — Méthode d'essai
Conveyor belts — Transverse flexibility (troughability) —
Test method
Numéro de référence
DOCUMENT PROTÉGÉ PAR COPYRIGHT
© ISO 2025
Tous droits réservés. Sauf prescription différente ou nécessité dans le contexte de sa mise en œuvre, aucune partie de cette
publication ne peut être reproduite ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique,
y compris la photocopie, ou la diffusion sur l’internet ou sur un intranet, sans autorisation écrite préalable. Une autorisation peut
être demandée à l’ISO à l’adresse ci-après ou au comité membre de l’ISO dans le pays du demandeur.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Genève
Tél.: +41 22 749 01 11
E-mail: copyright@iso.org
Web: www.iso.org
Publié en Suisse
ii
Sommaire Page
Avant-propos .iv
Introduction .v
1 Domaine d'application . 1
2 Références normatives . 1
3 Termes et définitions . 1
4 Symboles . 1
5 Principe. 2
6 Appareillage . 2
7 Éprouvette . 3
7.1 Dimensions .3
7.2 Conditionnement .3
8 Procédure . 4
9 Calcul et expression des résultats . 4
10 Rapport d’essai . 4
Bibliographie . 6

iii
Avant-propos
L'ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une fédération mondiale d'organismes nationaux
de normalisation (comités membres de l'ISO). L'élaboration des Normes internationales est en général
confiée aux comités techniques de l'ISO. Chaque comité membre intéressé par une étude a le droit de faire
partie du comité technique créé à cet effet. Les organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, en liaison avec l'ISO participent également aux travaux. L'ISO collabore étroitement avec
la Commission électrotechnique internationale (IEC) en ce qui concerne la normalisation électrotechnique.
Les procédures utilisées pour élaborer le présent document et celles destinées à sa mise à jour sont
décrites dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 1. Il convient, en particulier, de prendre note des différents
critères d'approbation requis pour les différents types de documents ISO. Le présent document a
été rédigé conformément aux règles de rédaction données dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 2 (voir
www.iso.org/directiveshttps://www.iso.org/directives-and-policies.html).
L’ISO attire l’attention sur le fait que la mise en application du présent document peut entraîner l’utilisation
d’un ou de plusieurs brevets. L’ISO ne prend pas position quant à la preuve, à la validité et à l’applicabilité de
tout droit de propriété revendiqué à cet égard. À la date de publication du présent document, l’ISO n'avait pas
reçu notification qu’un ou plusieurs brevets pouvaient être nécessaires à sa mise en application. Toutefois,
il y a lieu d’avertir les responsables de la mise en application du présent document que des informations
plus récentes sont susceptibles de figurer dans la base de données de brevets, disponible à l'adresse
www.iso.org/brevets. L’ISO ne saurait être tenue pour responsable de ne pas avoir identifié tout ou partie de
tels droits de propriété
Les appellations commerciales éventuellement mentionnées dans le présent document sont données pour
information, par souci de commodité, à l’intention des utilisateurs et ne sauraient constituer un engagement.
Pour une explication de la nature volontaire des normes, la signification des termes et expressions
spécifiques de l'ISO liés à l'évaluation de la conformité, ou pour toute information au sujet de l'adhésion de
l'ISO aux principes de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) concernant les obstacles techniques au
commerce (OTC), voir www.iso.org/avant-propos.
Le présent document a été préparé par le comité technique ISO/TC 41, Poulies et courroies (y compris les
courroies trapézoïdales), sous-comité SC 3, Courroies transporteuses, en collaboration avec le comité technique
CEN/TC 188, Courroies transporteuses, du Comité européen de normalisation (CEN) conformément à l'Accord
de coopération technique entre l'ISO et le CEN (Accord de Vienne).
Cette cinquième édition annule et remplace la quatrième édition (ISO 703:2017), qui a fait l’objet d’une
révision technique.
La principale modification par rapport à l’édition précédente est la suivante: révision des atmosphères de
conditionnement en 7.2.
Il convient que l’utilisateur adresse tout retour d’information ou toute question concernant le présent
document à l’organisme national de normalisation de son pays. Une liste exhaustive desdits organismes se
trouve à l’adresse www.iso.org/fr/members.html.

iv
Introduction
Un grand nombre de courroies transporteuses travail
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.

Loading comments...