What is a common failure mode of V-belts?

Fraying or cracking due to wear or improper tension is a common failure mode of V-belts because these belts are subjected to significant stress and friction during operation. Over time, the material can degrade from regular use, leading to visible signs of wear such as fraying at the edges or cracking in the body of the belt. Additionally, if a V-belt is not properly tensioned, either too loose or too tight, it can increase the risk of this wear. A belt that is too loose may slip, while one that is too tight can increase the rate of wear and tear. Both conditions contribute to the likelihood of fraying or cracking, making it a significant concern in the maintenance of power transmission systems.

The other potential failure modes, although they could occur, are less directly linked to common operational issues. Excess lubrication, for example, may lead to slippage but is not as frequently encountered as fraying or cracking from wear. The inability to transmit power may indicate a more severe malfunction, whereas belt slip typically points to tension issues rather than the wear-related degradation that causes fraying and cracking. These distinctions highlight why the degradation of the belt material through fraying or cracking stands as a prevalent failure mode.