When should a roller chain be replaced?
A roller chain should be replaced under several circumstances, as signs of wear or damage can compromise its effectiveness and safety. Here are common indicators that suggest it's time to replace a roller chain:
Excessive Chain Stretch:
Roller chains gradually elongate over time due to wear on the pins and bushings.
Use a caliper to measure elongation. If the measured value is greater than 0.8% to 1.5%, it indicates excessive wear.
Continuing to use an excessively elongated chain can lead to poor performance, noise, vibrations, and potential damage to the transmission system.
Visible Wear:
Check for wear on the rollers, bushings, and pins.
If the roller diameter is significantly worn down or cracked, the bushings are visibly worn, or the pins are loose, it's a clear sign of chain wear and a need for replacement.
Corrosion:
Chains exposed to moisture and corrosive environments can suffer from rust and corrosion.
While surface corrosion can often be cleaned or lubricated, if corrosion penetrates into the chain components, it can cause the chain to jam or weaken, necessitating replacement.
Sprocket Damage:
Excessive wear or damage to the sprockets may indicate corresponding wear on the chain.
It's advisable to replace both the chain and sprockets to ensure proper engagement and longevity.
Excessive Noise and Vibration:
Abnormal noise and vibrations during chain operation may indicate chain or sprocket wear.
Replacing the chain and sprockets can help resolve these issues.
Frequent Breakage:
If the chain frequently breaks or experiences non-smooth "binding" points, it indicates potential overloading.
Reevaluate whether the chain's strength meets the equipment's requirements. If necessary, replace the chain with a higher-strength one for safety and reliability.
Loss of Tension (Chain Slack):
If, despite proper adjustments, chain slack is frequently observed, this may be due to wear.
Replacing the chain can help maintain the correct chain tension.
It's important not to mix new and old chains. It's advisable to replace both the chain and sprockets together to prevent issues such as uneven wear, improper operation, and potential damage to your equipment. Additionally, do not continue using the chain after it has elongated beyond a specified limit (often 3%) to avoid disengagement, reduced strength, chain breakage, equipment damage, or safety hazards. Regularly measuring chain stretch and conducting thorough maintenance checks can help spot issues early, ensuring the reliability and safety of your system.
GIDI CHAIN LIMITED supply lots of roller chain, conveyor chain, Leaf Chain, welded chain, forged chain, Palm Oil Mill Chain, Hoisting Chain,Mine and Metallurgy Chain, etc. totaling over 3000 varieties. and 90% of chains are exported to worldwide, Which mainly export to Southeast Asia, European, North America, South America. Chains are welcomed by customers with the excellent quality. Our company owns more than 100 sets of advanced and professional manufacturing equipment, Perfect and rigorous QC system is implemented in every process from material purchasing to finished products packaging. Also, we have passed the ISO9001: 2015 Quality Management System Certification.
More Detail : www.gidi-chain.com