Roller chain chains

Chain is a connecting element of a chain transmission from a drive shaft to a driven shaft.
It is used to transmit rotational motion or mechanical energy from one mechanism to another, providing efficient and reliable power transmission.

There are several types of chains that differ in design and application:

- roller chains
- roller chains with curved plates;
- sleeve chains
- traction plate chains;
- toothed;
- TRD (conveyor long link);
- variation;
- traction forks.

The most common is the drive roller (PR) chain, which is simple and reliable. The chain requires regular lubrication and maintenance to ensure long service life and efficient operation.

A PR chain consists of metal plates, a main roller, bushings, and a roller. This type of transmission is widely used in mechanical engineering and in industry in general, where significant wear resistance, synchronized transmission without slippage, and the ability to withstand heavy loads are required.

Advantages and disadvantages of chain transmission:

Advantages:

- possibility of use at large center distances;
- high power compared to belt transmission;
- high efficiency (coefficient of performance);
- compared to the V-belt transmission, the chain transmission provides more power with the same overall dimensions;
- no slippage.

Disadvantages:

- noisy operation;
- less smooth transmission of movement;
- the need to lubricate the chain;
- possibility of backlash.

Roller chains are available in two standards:

British - ISO 606, BS228 (DIN 8187) and American - ANSI B29.1 (DIN 8188).

Roller chains according to the BS (British Standard) standard

This standard covers pitch sizes from 6 mm to 114.3 mm. They are characterized by a larger pin diameter and wider width between the inner link plates than ANSI chains. This provides better wear resistance due to the larger load-bearing area.

The BS chain numbering system works as follows, i.e. a duplex chain with a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) pitch will have the number 08B-2. The first two digits are the pitch size of 1/16 inch, so 08 = 8/16 or 1/2 inch (12.7 mm).
The letter "B" indicates the European standard. The suffix 2 indicates the number of rows in the chain, in this case it is a duplex chain.

BS chains resemble ASME/ANSI chains and are identical in pitch, but there are other significant dimensional differences that distinguish them from ASME/ANSI chains.
Typically, chains are packaged in 5-meter lengths and are available in single-row, double-row, triple-row, and quad-row versions, as well as in a variety of materials and finishes (stainless steel, nickel-plated, and zinc-plated).

Roller chains according to the American ANSI standard

The pitch sizes covered by this standard are 1/4 (6.35mm) to 3 (76.2mm) inches.
American standard chains have a smaller pin diameter than the equivalent of the European standard. Therefore, wear resistance is reduced compared to European standard chains.

The exception is chains with a pitch of 5/8 (15.875mm) inch, since in this case the diameter of the pin and the sleeve are the same, only the distance between the plates of the inner link and the width of the pin differ.

American standard chains are usually designated according to the standard numbering system - ANSI, for example, a duplex (double row) chain with a pitch of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) will have the number - 40-2.
The ANSI numbering system works as follows: The first number is the pitch size in 1/8 inch (3.175mm), i.e. 4/8 inch (12.7mm) = 1/2 inch (12.7mm) (Example: ASA40-2 / 08A-2).
The second number indicates that the chain is a roller chain, i.e. 0 = roller chain and the number 1 is a narrower series (Example: ASA41-1 / 085-1).
The suffix, as in the case of European standard chains, indicates the number of rows in the chain, i.e. in this case, 2 = duplex (double-row) chain (Example: ASA40-2 / 08A-2).

Also, a special feature of American standard chains is that they contain both standard and reinforced chains.

Roller chains manufactured to different standards are NOT interchangeable. Incorrect chain size will damage the chain and sprockets.

If the chain is not labeled and you do not know exactly what kind of chain it is, then you need to measure it:

- chain pitch,
- the distance between the inner plates,
- roller diameter.

On the ebearing.com.ua website, you can buy chains from well-known manufacturers such as SKF, Dunlop, Rollon...