Improving screening safety with fire-retardant rubber technology

In industrial environments such as mining operations, safety is a priority and a strategic requirement. Hot work activities such as welding and cutting near rubber-lined equipment, including conveyor belts and vibrating screens, can create ignition risks. Metso’s Trellex® fire-retardant rubber screening media supports safe operations while maintaining reliable screening performance.  

Why fire risk is an important consideration in screening 

Rubber components are commonly used throughout vibrating screens because of their flexibility, durability and ability to reduce pegging and blinding. However, in demanding operating environments, fire incidents can occur due to: 

• Maintenance activities involving heat sources such as welding, cutting, grinding or localized heating 
• External ignition sources  

When high-temperature residues come into contact with conventional rubber, there is a risk of the fire spreading. These events can lead to production losses, safety hazards and unwanted emissions. Effective fire risk management therefore remains an important consideration for screening operations. 

A solution designed to improve safety 

To help mitigate these risks, Metso has developed a proprietary fire-retardant rubber compound tailored for screening applications. The material is designed to: 

• Reduce the spread of fire in case of ignition 
• Improve operational reliability
• Support safe working conditions  

The objective was to develop self-extinguishing materials that meet demanding flammability requirements without compromising wear resistance. Compared with conventional rubber compounds, the material demonstrates a reduced burn rate, helping to reduce the potential for fire spread. 

Protection across the full screening process 

A key advantage of fire-retardant rubber is the ability to extend protection beyond individual components.  

All relevant surfaces can be manufactured using fire-retardant rubber, including: 

• Screen panels and modules 
• Feedbox lining
• Discharge spout lining
• Side and crossmember lining  

This enables a more consistent approach to managing fire risk across the entire screening circuit, helping to limit fire propagation and reduce the risk of wider plant disruption.  

The technology is available for screening media, feed liners, discharge liners and side liners, with compatibility for Metso equipment as well as equipment from other manufacturers.  

Proven performance in demanding applications 

Fire-retardant rubber screening media is designed to deliver comparable performance to standard rubber solutions. Field testing and experience show: 

• Similar wear life 
• Consistent screening efficiency
• Minimal dimensional differences after extended use  

Material options allow the solution to be adapted to different applications: 

• T40: optimized for finer screening, reducing pegging and blinding 
• T60: suited for medium to coarse screening conditions 

Designed for flexibility and compatibility, Trellex® fire-retardant rubber screening media can be applied across a wide range of installations: 

• Compatible with both Metso and third-party screens 
• Available across established Trellex® systems (PS, LS, MP)
• Suitable for both new installations and retrofits  

Tested to recognized standards 

Metso’s fire-retardant rubber compounds are tested according to UL94 V-0, a widely recognized global standard for flammability. The UL94 standard can be tested in accredited laboratories worldwide, providing a reliable and widely accepted method for comparing material performance.  

This classification means that the material: 

• Self-extinguishes within 10 seconds after flame application under UL94 V-0 test conditions 
• Does not produce flaming drips that ignite cotton placed below the specimen 

In practical terms, this self-extinguishing behavior helps limit fire propagation and reduce the risk of escalation.  

Expert support and application guidance 

Metso’s fire-retardant rubber technology is developed and manufactured in-house, enabling control throughout the processes, from material development to final quality assurance, with continuous adaptation to customer needs. This follows the same technology approach used across Metso’s screening media portfolio.  

Metso specialists can help identify the most suitable screening media and lining solution for each application. In addition to site visits, customized product studies can help optimize open areas, wear life, impact resistance, safety and screening performance based on actual operating conditions.  

Improving safety without compromising performance 

As screening technologies continue to evolve, integrating safety considerations into material selection is becoming increasingly important. Fire-retardant rubber screening media provides a practical way to reduce fire risk while maintaining the performance benefits of rubber-based solutions.  

For mining and aggregates operations, fire-retardant rubber technology offers a practical and proven approach to improving screening safety, helping reduce fire propagation risks while supporting reliable production and safer working conditions.