The plates of a roller chain are crucial for the chain’s strength and durability. Choosing the right material depends on load requirements, environmental conditions, and cost.
Types of Chain Plates
Below are the common material types:
- Carbon Steel
✔ Application： General industrial use, medium loads.
✔ Advantages： High strength, low cost.
✖ Disadvantages： Prone to rust, requires coating for protection.
- Alloy Steel
✔ Application： Heavy loads, high-speed applications.
✔ Advantages： Higher strength, better wear resistance.
✖ Disadvantages： More expensive than carbon steel.
- Stainless Steel
✔ Application： Corrosive environments (food, medical, outdoor use).
✔ Advantages： Corrosion-resistant.
✖ Disadvantages： Lower strength and wear resistance than alloy steel, higher cost.
- Engineering Plastic/Polymer
✔ Application： Light loads, low-noise requirements (food processing, special applications).
✔ Advantages： Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, quiet operation.
✖ Disadvantages： Limited load capacity, shorter lifespan under heavy loads.
How to Choose the Right Material?
- High load? Choose alloy steel.
- Corrosive environment? Choose stainless steel or coated carbon/alloy steel.
- Lightweight or low noise needed? Engineering plastic is a good option.
- Limited budget? Carbon steel is the most cost-effective choice.
