ANSI Standard Roller Chain

Created for applications requiring high horsepower at low speeds

Single Strand Roller Chain

Pitch

Roller Width

35

3/8"

3/16"

41

½"

¼"

40

½"

5/16"

50

5/8"

3/8"

60

¾"

½"

80

1"

5/8"

Single Strand Roller Chain

Connecting Links

Offset Links

35

X

X

41

X

X

40

X

X

50

X

X

60

X

X

80

X

X

100 (no chain on hand)

X

X

120 (no chain on hand)

X

X


Heavy Series Roller Chain

  • Link plates are equivalent to the thickness of the next larger pitch ANSI roller chain
  • Designed for applications subjected to heavy shock loads

Heavy Single Strand Roller Chain

Pitch

Roller Width

60H

¾"

½"

80H

1"

5/8"

Heavy Single Strand Roller Chain

Connecting Links

Offset Links

60H

X

X

80H

X

X


Double Strand Roller Chain

Pitch

Roller Width

40-2

½"

5/15"

50-2

5/8"

3/8"

60-2

¾"

½"

Double Strand Roller Chain

Connecting Links

Offset Links

40-2

X

X

50-2

X

X

60-2

X

X


Extended Pitch Roller Chain

Pitch

Roller Width

A2040

1"

5/16"

A2050

1 ¼"

3/8"

A2060

1 ½"

½"

Extended Pitch Roller Chain

Connecting Links

Offset Links

A2040

X

X

A2050

X

X

A2060

X

X


Chain Components (Explanation)

  • Link Apertures:  Holes in Links either round or Rocker Joint shaped to match the connecting Pins.  This is the area of articulation in the chain.
  • Guide Link:  Link plate positioned on the outside of the chain.  This pilots the chain on the sprocket.
  • Link Flank:  Lower portion of link which engages the sprocket teeth.
  • Link Crotch:  Space between link flanks which clear the sprocket tooth tip.
  • Link Back:  The outside curvature of the link design to provide strength and operating smoothness.  Some are designed flat rather than curved.
  • Round Pin:  Singular round pin used to articulate the chain.
  • Rocker Joint Pin:  Two pins are utilized to articulate the chain.
  • Rocker Pin Styles
    • Type 6900 two triangular pins that rock the aperture
    • Type 8600 two ovular-shaped pins that rock the aperture (Some may be ET Guide.)
    • Type 9600 two ovular-shaped pins that rock in the aperture.  The guide link is an ET design riveted link.

Chain Quality Parameters

  • Tensile Strength: The ability of the chain to endure under the loads that are applied during sprocket engagement and operation. It is measured as the ultimate strength of the chain which is the load at which it would break or fail. There are centrifugal forces created during operation. The steel quality of the links and pins and the chain designed are important in contributing to a high tensile strength.
  • Fatigue Strength: The ability of the chain to endure the loads and operating conditions repeatedly over time.
  • Wear Rating: The amount of wear that occurs during operation.

Chain Operating & Measurement Terms

  • Pitch:  Effective length between the center points of the apertures, which are the points of joint articulation.
  • Width:  The approximate dimension between the inside and outside guide links.
  • Random Chain:  Certain patterns are interlaced in a random link pattern utilizing two different link styles in rows across the chain.
  • Chordal Action:  Radial or transverse motion of the chain strand resulting from sprocket engagement.  Sound is created from this engagement.
  • Decibel Measurements:  The measurement of the total sound coming from the system in operation.
  • Chain DescriptionNominal measurements for a chain:
    • Example:  3/8P x 1-1/4 W x 72P
    • 3/8 pitch by 1-1/4 approximate width by 72 total pitches
    • 72 pitches would be 36 total guide plates per side