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Conveyor belts are used for material transportation in the mining and construction industries. The friction and wear properties of the styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) used in conveyor belts are investigated, including the effects of the applied load and rotational speed on the friction coefficient and weight loss. The sliding wear mechanism of the SBR is analyzed using scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The results demonstrate that the friction coefficient and total weight loss of SBR increase as a function of rotational speed, whereas the friction coefficient decreases and the total weight loss increases as a function of increasing applied load. The maximum friction coefficient occurred at a loading of 10 N and a speed of 120 revolutions·min−1, and the maximum total weight loss occurred at a loading of 20 N and a speed of 120 revolutions·min−1. In comparison to the unworn surface, the worn surface of the SBR exhibits melting, adhesive, and abrasive wear characteristics. The increases in the hardness, yellowing, oxygen content, and the number of complex structures, such as hydroxyl, aldehyde, ketone, and ether groups, occur simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]