Buy Polychain Belts Online in Australia
Gates PolyChain Belt Selection — Quick Reference (Premium Synchronous)
Gates PolyChain belts = HIGH-POWER synchronous (toothed) belts engineered for industrial drives WHERE CHAIN traditionally used — heavy conveyors + machine tools + mining + similar high-load drives. AIMS supplies the Gates PolyChain GT Carbon range — premium synchronous belt lineup for industrial.
| PolyChain Section | Best For |
|---|---|
| 8MGT (8mm Pitch) | Heavy industrial — pumps + fans + machine tools |
| 14MGT (14mm Pitch) | Very heavy industrial — large conveyors + crushers + mining |
| 5MGT (5mm Pitch) | Mid-range industrial — automation + lighter conveyors |
| Carbon Fibre Tensile Cord | Higher power + minimal stretch + premium spec |
| Polyurethane Body Construction | Cleaner + chemical-resistant + food-grade option |
| Matched Sprockets (PolyChain-Specific) | NOT compatible with standard timing pulleys |
Why PolyChain vs roller chain: PolyChain replaces chain in drives where (1) chain noise + lubrication maintenance + stretching is problem, (2) drive must be clean (food/pharma/cleanroom), (3) high power density needed in compact envelope. PolyChain = chain power + belt cleanliness + no lubrication. Cost premium ~3-5× standard V-belt — justified where chain alternatives have problems. Critical: NOT interchangeable with HTD or GT timing belts — PolyChain has unique tooth profile + uses specific sprockets. Brand: Gates (PolyChain GT Carbon). Companion: belts, single-sided timing belts, timing pulleys, chain + sprockets.
Gates Polychain Belts
Polychain belts are high-power synchronous (toothed) belts engineered for industrial drive applications where chain or roller chain would traditionally have been used — heavy-duty conveyors, machine tools, mining equipment, and similar high-load drives. AIMS Industrial supplies the Gates Polychain GT Carbon range, the premium synchronous belt lineup for industrial power transmission.
What makes Polychain different
Polychain belts are tensile-corded with carbon fibre instead of the aramid (Kevlar) or polyester used in standard timing belts. The carbon cord is significantly stiffer per unit cross-section, allowing the belt to carry much higher loads at the same width. The result is a synchronous belt that competes directly with roller chain on power capacity but offers the noise reduction, lubrication-free operation, and lower maintenance that toothed belts deliver.
Why specify Polychain over chain or standard timing belt
- Versus roller chain — Polychain is quieter, doesn't need lubrication, doesn't stretch over time, and runs cleanly without the oil film and wear products that chain produces
- Versus standard HTD or 8M timing belts — Polychain handles substantially higher loads at the same width, with longer service life and less stretch under load
- Versus V-belt drives — Polychain doesn't slip — synchronous tooth engagement means no positioning error and no power loss to slip
Pitch sizes and applications
- 8MGT — 8mm pitch, fractional through medium-power drives
- 14MGT — 14mm pitch, the workhorse for heavy industrial drives
- 14MGT Long — extended-length version for very long centre-distance drives
Pulley specification
Polychain belts run on tooth-form-specific pulleys — Polychain pulleys are not interchangeable with HTD or curvilinear-tooth timing pulleys, even at the same pitch. The tooth profile is unique to the system, and substituting incorrect pulleys leads to belt damage and premature failure. When specifying a Polychain drive, both the belt and the pulleys need to be Polychain GT.
Replacement and service
Polychain belts have very long service lives in properly designed drives — typically tens of thousands of hours where standard timing belts would have been replaced multiple times. Inspect periodically for visible wear (tooth profile damage, edge wear, cord exposure) and replace at the first sign of significant wear rather than running to failure. A failed Polychain belt under load can damage the drive train; planned replacement during scheduled maintenance is the right approach.
Tensioning
Polychain belts run with relatively low tension compared to V-belts, but correct tensioning is critical. Under-tensioning allows the belt to ratchet a tooth on the pulley (skipping); over-tensioning loads bearings excessively and shortens belt life. Use the manufacturer's tension specification and a frequency tension meter for accurate setting.
Why Gates
Gates is AIMS's preferred brand for Polychain belts — they invented and continue to develop the technology, and the GT Carbon range is the benchmark for industrial synchronous drive belts. Engineered with carbon-fibre tensile cords, fibre-reinforced rubber compound, and precision-formed tooth profiles, the Gates Polychain range delivers the performance and life that demanding industrial drives require.
Need help with a fitment or specification? contact our team — we'll cross-reference and confirm the right belt and pulleys.