Industrial chains are important for transporting mechanical power in different industrial applications. They come in different types and are useful in various applications. In this article, you’ll learn the various types, their applications, grade type, their maintenance, and how to choose one that suits your needs. Please continue reading to understand better.
What are Industrial Chains?
Industrial chains are a series of metal-formed connected links, which aids in transferring power in machineries. Standard chain drives are made up of a chain and at least one sprocket.
These chains play a very important role in the conveyance of mechanical power in industrial applications. Furthermore, these application chains serve as mechanical devices that you can utilize in different applications for the transmission of power and for conveying materials. The chains can withstand harsh conditions and heavy loads.
What are the Types of Industrial Chains?
Round Steel Chains
You can find this chain type in shipping and construction industries. These chains transmit force, which helps them stay strong and durable. They can also withstand a huge pulling force to lift heavy loads.
Your industrial chain must possess features like durability and wear resistance. You must also ensure that the equipment used in your company is very efficient and has a great design.
When your company adopts chains that are durable and can resist corrosion, you won’t have to replace them too often. By this, you can save more.
Roller Chains
These are the most frequently used types. They help in movement by transferring mechanical energy to whatever load you wish to move. You can improve your machine’s work power with the help of roller chains.
This chain type comes with a special design which allows it to fit different sprockets, which in turns allows the movement of loads easily.
Their power transmission runs in motorcycles and several agricultural machines. In terms of weight, this chain has high ratings. They also have high power capacity, allowing them to work with several applications.
Conveyor Chains
They have similar functions to those of roller chains. You can differentiate them by the way the loads are placed. This is what you’ll likely see in the way a roller chain turns the wheel of a motorcycle
For conveyor belts, chains facilitating their movement are specially designed to handle the weights placed on them. The food and automotive industries usually utilize conveyor belts and its working mechanisms for assembling and packaging tasks.
Before you choose any industrial chain, consider how strong and durable it is. Also, ensure that the design can carry large items for extended periods.
Leaf Chains
Leaf chains function in contrast to the roller chains, and are composed of plates and pins, which allows them to create very high breaking forces. Furthermore, they are useful for pulling loads, hoisting, and lifting, and are usually utilized in forklift truck masts as well as counterweight chains in container loaders, draw bench chains, and machine tools.
In contrast to roller chains, leaf chains have stacked pins and plates that fit tightly. When you use leaf chains, you will achieve a higher strength profile, offering a maximum of 8 x 8 lacing. This will boost the longevity greatly, even when utilizing these chains in very demanding situations.
Silent Chain
Majority of chain drives are well-known to generate high noise during operation. This makes silent chains great for residential areas and enclosed spaces. With this, you can keep the noise under control, thereby promoting the well-being of workers.
Furthermore, silent chains which are also called inverted tooth chains have the ability to transmit large quantities of power very quickly as well as operate quietly. This chain is made up of flat plates, which are stacked into rows, with pin(s) used in connecting them.
With an increase in each link’s flat plates, the silent chain’s load capacity increases. The same goes for the chain width and tensile strength. Silent chains can stretch its length by another 20% without breaking.
Stainless Steel
You can categorize industrial chains with respect to the steel type it is manufactured from instead of the intended purpose or link style. This type of industrial chain has chromium, which helps in increasing the strength of the metal and offer protection against corrosion. This creates a lovely and shiny finish.
Majority of stainless steel chains are manufactured from the grade 43 steel; also they feature very high working load limits. Stainless steel is also durable and provides strong resistance, this makes it a great option for trucking and construction purposes.
Engineering Steel Chains
The engineering steel chain is great for heavy-duty applications, i.e. construction equipment. Also, they are manufactured from high-quality steel and have the ability to handle harsh environments and huge loads. You can find the engineering steel chains in different configurations, which includes straight sidebar, offset, and welded varieties.
Hollow Pin Chains
These are roller chains featuring hollow pins rather than solid pins. They are useful in applications where the transportation of items like equipment, materials, or product is important.
These chains are useful in industries like material handling, packaging, and food processing. Also, they are useful in printing presses, conveyor systems, as well as other machineries requiring a reliable and accurate movement of materials or products.
What Type of Grade Do You Need?
There are different grade ratings for industrial chains that state their tensile strength or breaking strength. Some applications will only function with the minimum chain grade in order to prevent snapping while in use.
Grade 30
This is the lowest grade, and this is a general use chain which could be found in all hardware stores. You can utilize it for guard rails or to tow vehicles, but cannot work for heavy-duty tasks. Users can use this grade for weights below 7,000 lbs.
Grade 43
This grade is stronger compared to grade 30; however, it isn’t suitable for overhead lifting. You can also refer to this grade as G-4 chain or High-Test. It is suitable for towing and trucking tie-downs, including shipping containers, transport, and logging.
Grade 70
The construction of the grade 70 chain is made from carbon steel, which has undergone heat treatment. This makes it durable and also resistant to damage and scratches. It is therefore appropriate for oil rigging, some construction-related applications, as well as tie downs. Though this grade is very strong, it isn’t suitable for overhead lifting purposes.
Grade 80
Grade 80 is alloy-steel made. Also, this chain type is very strong, durable, and appropriate for different heavy-duty applications like towing, mining, and rigging. The design of this chain type allows it to stretch 20% more in length.
Grade 100
The grade 100 type provides 25% more strength than the grade 80 type. Grade 100 chains can also withstand weights exceeding 35,000 lbs.
How to Choose the Right Industrial Chain
There are different types of industrial chains, and it is important to know the right industrial chain that suits your intended application.
Know the requirements of your application
Start by knowing what your application requires. In this regard, you will need to consider some factors like environment, load capacity, and speed. The environmental factor includes exposure to chemicals, temperature, and humidity. All the factors mentioned above will help you determine the right industrial chain for your application.
Know the different types of chains
You need to know the different types of industrial chains available and where they function effectively. For instance, roller chains are popularly used in most industrial applications because of their versatility. On the other hand, leaf chains are great where there is heavy-duty lifting.
Industrial chains i.e. silent chains are for specialized functions. Identifying the different industrial chain types and their functions will guide you in choosing the one that suits your application.
Assess load capacity and strength
The load capacity and strength an industrial chain can handle varies. Therefore, it is important to evaluate these factors so as to choose the one that can meet your requirements.
Consider the chain’s material composition
It is important you check the material composition of the chain. This also includes the treatments or coatings applied on the chain.
Consider maintenance requirements
The maintenance requirements of industrial chains vary. Ensure you inquire about the possible replacement schedules, intervals of lubrication, and inspection protocols. While some chains are cheap to maintain, some are expensive to maintain. It is better to choose a chain that works with your maintenance capabilities.
Test and validate
Performance and compatibility are very crucial when choosing an industrial chain type. Therefore, you need to carry out appropriate testing to assess the performance of the selected chain. Such testing are usually carried out in stimulated operating conditions to enable proper evaluation of the chain’s behavior.
Consult the experts
Reach out to those involved in industrial chain manufacturing or other professionals in the field to get the best advice on which chain to choose. These people will offer the best recommendations and help you make the right decisions.
Conclusion
Industrial chains are available in different types, and their purpose varies based on the intended application. Due to the versatility of these chains, they are widely used across many industries ranging from transportation, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing.
You must consider factors such as maintenance requirements, load capacity, material composition, and coating types when choosing the perfect chains for your applications.
FAQ
What are the Applications of Industrial Chains?
Industrial chains have several applications. Their flexibility, strength, accuracy, and endurance makes them relevant in the manufacturing, automotive, agriculture, and food processing industries.
What are the tips for maintaining Industrial Chains?
It is important to maintain industrial chains properly to ensure they last long and perform effectively. You must tension the chains properly and engage in regular inspection for any damage, elongation, and wear signs. Also, align the sprockets and chain properly, and engage in proper lubrication to ensure longevity and effective performance.