Drive Chains

Everyone knows one type of drive chain: the bicycle chain. The bicycle chain shows the essential advantages of a chain drive. It is simple, cheap, robust, light weight, resistant and easily cared for.

And indeed, most drive chains for industrial applications look very much like large bicycle chains. Also other types, such as toothed chains, always work according to the principle of positive power transmission. That means that the rotation of the drive sprocket by one cog/chain pitch moves the return chain wheel exactly by one cog as well. Preferred material for drive chains is steel. Round parts are hardened for increased wear resistance and chain plates are quenched and tempered for the highest possible breaking strength.

High performance roller chains acc. to DIN 8187 (single – six-fold)
ASA-roller chains acc. to DIN 8188 (single – six-fold)
Rotary chains acc. to DIN 8182
Bush chains acc. to DIN 8164
Steel pintle chains acc. to DIN 654

Roller chains according to DIN 8187

Roller chains according to DIN 8187 are the most common drive chains and are used as an interlocking drive mechanism for various tasks. They are resistant, provide for simple constructions, are able to transfer great forces and are also available in corrosion and heat resistant designs. Roller chains can be turned into individually configurable conveyor chains due to a multitude of special plates with mounting options/attachment plates.

Tip: For the first estimation of chain design calculate the operating load x 10 ≤ breaking strength.

Tip: In old documentation reference to roller chains according to DIN 8180 may still be found. This Standard was withdrawn. Interchangeability with roller chains according to DIN 8187 is assured.

Tip: There are so many types of roller chain that no catalogue could show them all. If you have any questions, make use of our Know-How and contact us.

Roller chains according to DIN 8188

Roller chains according to DIN 8188 comply with the American ASA-Standards. Their measurements deviate (only marginally in some cases) from European chains according to DIN 8187 but their areas of application are equally as diverse. One particular application area is the oil industry which solely uses ASA-chains as oilfield roller chains.

Tip: If possible, use roller chains according to DIN 8187 for new designs, as those are more common in Europe.

Simple roller chain acc. to DIN 8188, rust-proof

Rotary chains according to DIN 8182

Rotary chains solely consist of cranked links so that chains may be shortened or lengthened by a single link without any problems. Due to bent plates the breaking strength is lower than that of a roller chain of the same size. However, this type responds to impacts in pulling direction quite flexibly.

Steel pintle chains (link plate type) / Steel pintle chains according to DIN 654

Steel pintle chains according to DIN 654 consist of malleable cast iron and feature hardened steel pins in the joints. They may be used as conveyor chains with appropriate carriers cast-on. Steel pintle chains (link plate type) have the same dimension as steel pintle chains according to DIN 654. But are completely made of carbon steel and therefore have a higher breaking strength.

Bush chains according to DIN 8164

Bush chains are very robust and are used for high loads and low running speeds. A maximum of 5m/s for the smallest types, significantly less with greater pitch.