For the maximum performance of a
conveyor chain, four critical criteria are required. They are wearing ability,
impact resistance, and ultimate strength and fatigue resistance.
The measurement that determines
the ultimate strength of the conveyor chain is the weight in
pounds required to break the chain on a linear plane. By using a tensile
testing machine the usual method of testing is done. ANSI dictates the minimum
strength values for each size of the chain.
The material by which the chain
is made, its hardening specifications, and its manufacturing process that is
used in making its components consist of a pin, center link, and side link is
controlled by the manufacturer and determines the strength of the chain.
While comparing chains a conveyor
chain's durability value is the most subjective value to consider. Its
durability is affected by factors such as chain speed, lubrication, loads, and
system design among others. Only the hardness factor is controlled by a
manufacturer that impacts the other three criteria.
It is a fact that the durability
the factor of a chain from conveyor chain manufacturer depends
on how hard the chain is but along with this comes to lower resistance to
fatigue and impact. The more the chain is harder the less resistance it becomes
to fatigue and impact.
While the chain is moving around
its horizontal turns, the side loads between the chain and the rollers or
traction wheel make for a subtle bending motion in the center link of the
conveyor chain. For fatigue, this particular movement is the catalyst. The fatigue
should not go unnoticed and therefore, hence the chain is not replaced at once
and the instance of failure is diminished.
In the case of loads that are
often stopped and started, the chain particularly the pusher dog is subject to
impact failure if an impact-resistant material was not used in its manufacture.
The loading and unloading sites are other possible points of impact on a
conveyor from the conveyor chain supplier. Impact failures happen
with no warning like fatigue failures, but they do not, as a rule, spread out
as the fatigue failures do.
