ANSI 80 Roller Chain vs. 16B Roller Chain

Understanding Roller Chains

Roller chains consist of cylindrical rollers linked together to transmit mechanical power efficiently. One of the key specifications of a roller chain is its pitch—the distance between the centers of two adjacent rollers, which determines the chain's size, strength, and application suitability.

While both the ANSI 80 Roller Chain and the 16B Roller Chain share a pitch of 25.4 mm (1 inch), they have distinct differences in design and application.

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Metric 16B Roller Chain

The 16B Roller Chain, classified under the ISO 606 (British Standard), is a metric roller chain designed for heavy-duty applications. With a robust structure, it is widely used in:

• Conveyors

• Mining equipment

• Heavy lifting machinery

Key Features of 16B Roller Chain:

   Pitch: 25.4 mm (1 in)
   Wide inner plate spacing (17.02 mm)
   Thicker plates for durability
   Higher load-bearing capacity

Its sturdy design makes it ideal for high-load environments where durability and resistance to wear are critical.

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ANSI 80 Roller Chain

The ANSI 80 Roller Chain follows the ANSI B29.1 standard, making it an imperial pitch chain. It is commonly used in industrial machinery and high-performance environments requiring:

• High-speed operation

• Heavy-duty load handling

• Continuous power transmission

Key Features of ANSI 80 Roller Chain:

   Pitch: 25.4 mm (1 in)
   Slightly narrower inner plate spacing (15.75 mm)
   Optimized for high-speed and high-load conditions
   Commonly used in industrial automation and large machinery

Due to its strong construction and efficient design, the ANSI 80 chain is favored in high-load, high-speed operations.

                    
                                  chain showroom

Comparison: 16B Roller Chain vs. ANSI 80 Roller Chain

 

Feature	16B Roller Chain	ANSI 80 Roller Chain
Pitch (P)	25.40 mm	25.40 mm
Roller Diameter (d1)	15.88 mm	15.88 mm
Width Between Inner Plates (b1)	17.02 mm	15.75 mm
Pin Diameter (d2)	8.28 mm	7.92 mm
Pin Length (L)	36.10 mm	32.70 mm
Pin Length (Lc)	37.40 mm	35.00 mm
Inner Plate Depth (h2)	21.00 mm	24.00 mm
Plate Thickness (T)	4.15/3.1 mm	3.25 mm
Tensile Strength	60.0/13636 kN/lbf	56.70/12886 kN/lbf
Weight per Meter	2.71 kg/m	2.60 kg/m

Key Differences:

   Width: The 16B chain is wider than the ANSI 80 chain, which may impact compatibility with sprockets.
   Plate Thickness: The 16B chain has thicker plates, enhancing its wear resistance and longevity.
   Load Capacity: The ANSI 80 chain has slightly lower tensile strength, but it is optimized for high-speed applications.
   Weight: The ANSI 80 chain is slightly lighter, reducing overall system weight.

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Are 16B and ANSI 80 Roller Chains Interchangeable?

Even though both chains have the same pitch (25.4 mm), their structural differences affect interchangeability:

   Chain Width

The 16B chain is wider than the ANSI 80 chain, meaning the sprockets for one may not fit the other properly.

   Load Capacity & Strength

The ANSI 80 chain is designed for higher speeds, while the 16B chain is built for heavier loads. Swapping them could impact system performance.

   Fatigue Resistance

The ANSI 80 chain withstands higher operational stresses, making it more suitable for continuous-duty applications. The 16B chain is more resistant to heavy loads but may wear faster in high-speed environments.

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Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?

   Choose the 16B Roller Chain if:
   Your application requires higher load capacity and durability.
   You need a chain for conveyors, mining equipment, or heavy machinery.
   You are using ISO standard components and sprockets.

   Choose the ANSI 80 Roller Chain if:
   Your application involves high-speed, high-load operations.
   You need a lighter-weight, standardized chain for industrial machinery.
   You are using ANSI standard sprockets and equipment.

Since they differ in width, tensile strength, and performance, they are not fully interchangeable. Always refer to manufacturer specifications when selecting a roller chain to ensure optimal performance, longevity, and safety for your machinery.

GIDI CHAIN LIMITED supplies 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 worldwide, mainly to Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Chains are welcomed by customers for the excellent quality. Our company owns more than 100 sets of advanced and professional manufacturing equipment. A perfect and rigorous QC system is implemented in every process from material purchasing to finished product packaging. Also, we have passed the ISO9001: 2015 Quality Management System Certification.

More Detail: www.gidi-chain.com

Stainless Steel Drive Roller Chain

Material: 40Cr, 65Mn,40Mn, 45Mn, Stainless steel, Etc.
Finish for pin: Blacken, Zinc plating, spray shooting, Chromed,
Claasification: Roller chain / elevator chains / feeder house chains
Application: Corn harvester/ wheat harvester/ rice harvester/ other machinery with chains
Accessary: Rubber paddles, slats for chain assemblies, roller, Bush, Pin, K attachments, A attachments, CL, OL, Etc.
Colors: Yellow;,blue, original colour, shot peening, golden (copper plated), silver (Nickel plated and zinc plated).According to your requirements
Feature: Long using life, good wear resistant, High accurancy. Low elongation rate.
Other advantages: Any special requirements about pins, attachments, and plates can be met.

The advantage of the Flexible Steel Cable Carrier Chain:
1. The chromium plated chain board has very nicelooking appearance and has very rational construction and flexible and high strength. It is reliable and easy to operate, install, dismantle or assemble. It is worthwhile mentioning that the antiwearing performance has been improved greatly due to wear resistent material and alloy pin-shaft are used.
2. The product is flexible to bending and has low resistance, giving low noises. It can be used for a very long period of time without any deforming or hanging down.
3. The product is nice looking, which makes the machine tool unit nicer looking as a whole and makes the machine tools and machineries more competitive in the international market.

this article is published by China manufacturer and supplier of Stainless Steel Roller Chain -- Zhejiang Gidi industrial chain co.,ltd.

Common Heat Treatment Methods and Aging Treatment for Chains

Common Heat Treatment Methods and Aging Treatment for Chains

Heat treatment is a crucial process in chain manufacturing, significantly enhancing the strength, wear resistance, and durability of chains used in various applications. The most commonly used heat treatment methods include annealing, normalizing, quenching, tempering, carburizing, nitriding, carbonitriding, and boronizing. These processes help refine the microstructure of the chain components, improving their mechanical properties to withstand heavy loads and harsh operating conditions.

1. Common Heat Treatment Methods

• Annealing: The chain is heated to 30-50°C above Ac3, held at that temperature, and then slowly cooled inside the furnace. This process reduces internal stress, softens the material, and improves machinability.

• Normalization: Involves heating the chain components to above Ac3, followed by air cooling. It refines the grain structure, enhancing toughness and strength.

• Quenching: The chain is heated to above Ac3 or Ac1, then rapidly cooled in water, oil, or other cooling media. This results in a hardened microstructure with increased strength and wear resistance.

• Tempering: After quenching, the chain is reheated to a temperature below Ac1, held for a specified time, and then cooled to room temperature. This reduces brittleness and improves toughness, balancing hardness with flexibility.

• Carburizing: The surface of the chain is exposed to a carbon-rich environment at high temperatures, allowing carbon diffusion into the outer layer. This increases surface hardness while maintaining a tough core, ideal for wear-resistant applications.

• Nitriding: A nitrogen-rich environment is used to create a hard nitride layer on the surface, providing excellent wear resistance and corrosion protection.

• Carbonitriding: A combination of carburizing and nitriding, enhancing both hardness and wear resistance while offering improved surface durability.

• Boronizing: This process introduces boron atoms into the chain surface, forming extremely hard boride layers with superior abrasion and corrosion resistance.

2. Aging Treatment for Chains

Aging treatments stabilize the material’s internal structure, reducing residual stress and improving mechanical stability. There are two primary aging treatments:

• Natural Aging: The chain is stored at room temperature or under controlled environmental conditions for an extended period. Over time, the material undergoes structural changes, reducing residual stress and improving long-term performance.

• Artificial Aging: The chain is heated to an elevated temperature for a shorter period to accelerate the stabilization process. This method enhances dimensional stability and mechanical properties more quickly than natural aging.
  
  

Types of Chains That Undergo Heat Treatment and Aging Treatment

By utilizing advanced heat treatment and aging processes, manufacturers ensure that chains possess high strength, durability, and wear resistance, making them suitable for demanding applications in lifting, mining, industrial machinery, and conveyor systems.

1. Lifting Chains

Used in hoists, cranes, and material handling equipment, lifting chains require high tensile strength and fatigue resistance to handle heavy loads.

• Common Heat Treatments:

  • Quenching & Tempering (for high strength and toughness)

  • Surface Hardening (for wear resistance)

  • Carburizing (for a hard surface with a tough core)

• Aging Treatment:

  • Artificial aging to enhance long-term stability

2. Conveyor Chains

Used in automated production lines, mining conveyors, and industrial transport systems, conveyor chains require high wear resistance and smooth operation.

• Common Heat Treatments:

  • Nitriding (for improved wear and corrosion resistance)

  • Carbonitriding (for surface hardening and durability)

  • Induction Hardening (for localized wear resistance)

• Aging Treatment:

  • Artificial aging to ensure consistent performance in extreme conditions

3. Special Chains (Non-Standard Chains)

Customized chains for specific industries such as steel plants, food processing, escalators, and bottling plants require precise heat treatment for enhanced performance.

• Common Heat Treatments:

  • Boronizing (for extreme wear resistance in high-temperature environments)

  • Carburizing (for increased surface hardness)

  • Quenching & Tempering (for strength and fatigue resistance)

• Aging Treatment:

  • Natural aging to stabilize material properties

4. Mining & Heavy-Duty Chains

Used in mining, drilling, and construction machinery, these chains need to withstand abrasive environments and high impact loads.

• Common Heat Treatments:

  • Quenching & Tempering (for impact resistance)

  • Shot Peening (to improve fatigue strength)

  • Nitriding (for corrosion and wear resistance)

• Aging Treatment:

  • Artificial aging to refine the internal structure and improve durability

5. Motorcycle & Automotive Chains

Used in motorcycles, bicycles, and vehicle transmission systems, these chains require high strength, wear resistance, and smooth operation.

• Common Heat Treatments:

  • Induction Hardening (for specific high-wear areas)

  • Carburizing (for improved durability)

  • Shot Peening (to increase fatigue life)

• Aging Treatment:

  • Artificial aging to maintain long-term stability and reduce stress

6. Stainless Steel Chains

Used in food processing, pharmaceutical, and marine applications, stainless steel chains must resist corrosion, moisture, and high temperatures.

• Common Heat Treatments:

  • Nitriding (for wear and corrosion resistance)

  • Solution Annealing (to maintain strength and ductility)

  • Induction Hardening (for selective strengthening)

• Aging Treatment:

  • Natural aging for long-term stability in harsh environments

Conclusion

Different heat treatment and aging processes are applied based on the application and operating conditions of each chain type. Whether it's lifting chains for cranes, conveyor chains for production lines, or mining chains for extreme environments, these treatments ensure enhanced durability, strength, and performance.