Many companies whose operations involve chemical processes or food processing are seeking to improve the efficiency of these processes by replacing discrete batch operations with assembly lines, thus reducing labor while increasing product quality. Steel belts are highly resistant to the effects of heat and cold, and as such are ideal for transporting food products and other items that must be subjected to heating or freezing. These belts, which have smooth, hard surfaces, offer high resistance to corrosion from chemical substances, as well as outstanding heat conductivity. They are extremely sanitary, and so can be used to transport various products for continuous heating in ovens, or for cooling or freezing using various cooling media.