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The conveyor chain is a common sight in factories around the world and is seen in all types of situations from moving parts down the line in an automobile production plant to moving sprinklers around in an agricultural field. If something has to get from point “A” to point “B” on a continuous basis, whether for assembly, washing, painting, inspection or storage, you can be sure a conveyor chain is at the core of the system.

For optimum performance of a conveyor chain, four criteria are crucial – strength, durability, resistance to fatigue and resistance to impact.

The weight in pounds required to break the chain on a linear plane is the measurement that determines the ultimate strength of the chain. The usual method of testing is by use of a tensile testing machine. The minimum strength values for each size of chain are dictated by ANSI. The material of which the chain is made, its manufacturing process, and hardening specifications used in making its components consisting of center link, side link, and pin are controlled by the manufacturer and determines the strength of the chain.

Although the ultimate strength of any given chain will reflect the integrity of a certain material at a certain hardness, a high ultimate value does not necessarily mean that it is impervious to failure. The ultimate strength value is used for application engineering and deciding what type or size of conveyor chain to be used for various loads.

A conveyor chain’s durability value is the most subjective value to consider when comparing chains. Factors affecting it’s durability are lubrication, loads, chain speed, and system design among others. A manufacturer controls only the hardness factor that impacts the other three criteria. It is a fact that the harder the chain the higher its durability factor but along with this comes a lower resistance to fatigue and impact. The harder the chain the less resistance it becomes to fatigue and impact.

There are different base materials that offer some options. For example, standard SAE 1045 steel at a hardness of 370 offers worthy impact and fatigue resistance, a good degree of durability, and meets minimum ANSI strength requirements. If the same material has a hardness of 420 BHN, its strength and durability would be enhanced but some of its resistance to fatigue and impact would be lost. As an alternative, microtuff-15 micro-alloy steel has good wearability and more strength along with excellent impact and fatigue resistance. It also costs the same as SAE 1045.

Fatigue resistance is the material’s ability to withstand continuous bending, twisting, etc. without fracturing. It is perhaps the conveyor chain’s most important asset or liability. Fatigue is not easily measurable until the material shows signs of fracture. In today’s world of higher production rates, heavier overall chain loads, more intricate chain paths, with tighter radius turns, the chain is subject to more subtle bending and twisting than ever before.

As the conveyor chain wends its way around horizontal turns, the side load between the chain and the rollers or traction wheel instigates somewhat of a bending motion in the center link of the chain. The catalyst for fatigue is this bending process. Should the fatigue not be identified, the chain will not be immediately replaced. The incidence of failures are certain to increase exponentially. Because of this, the harder, more durable alloy chains are not recommended for heavily loaded systems with many turns at a rapid pace. Alloy chains work fine in straight line over and under conveyors or for slower, lighter loads on such conveyors in abrasive surroundings found in foundry cooling lines or incinerator drag lines.

Impact resistance is the conveyor chain’s ability to absorb shock loads without fracturing. There is an inverse relationship between hardness and impact resistance, but different materials at the same hardness have varying abilities to absorb impact without breaking. Impact resistance with regards to chain becomes a factor in many power and free systems.

In loads with frequent stops and starts, the chain, in particular the pusher dog, is vulnerable to impact failure if not made out of impact resistant material. Loading and unloading stations are other possible sources of impact. Both impact and fatigue failures do occur without any warning. Impact failures on the other hand do not by nature increase once they begin.

Considering the above four criteria is very important in choosing a conveyor chain for optimum performance. Selecting the chain most appropriate to the particular application will prolong the systems longevity with fewer crashes.

For more information about, or to buy Free Conveyor Trolleys, Inverted Trolleys, or other conveyor related parts, please visit Blue Water Manufacturing.