The Complete Guide to Chain

4.1.2 Guide Rail Materials

The guide rails for engineered plastic chains are usually made of 304 stainless steel with a good finish, MC nylon, or ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW). For steel chains, guide rails are made of plastic.

For heat-resistant and high-speed applications, make sure you consider the following points:

  1. When the chain operates within normal temperatures at high speeds, choose a guide rail that is made of carbon steel or stainless steel with polished, hard chrome-plating.
  2. When the chain operates in high temperatures, consider a polished stainless steel guide rail. Remember to allow for heat expansion, and fix only one end of the guide rail.
Table 4.1 Precision Conveyor Chain
Material Maximum Chain Speed (m/min) Maximum Ambient Temp. (c) Coefficient of Friction Maximum Allowable Load (kN)
Standard Polyacetal 50 80 0.25 0.98
Low-Friction Special Polyacetal 50 80 0.17 0.98
Heat-Resistant Super Engineered Plastic 200 250 0.20 0.98
Anti-Chemical Super Engineered Plastic 40 80 0.30 0.50
Electro- conductive Special Polyacetal 50 80 0.25 0.70
Plastic Pin Special Polyacetal 50 80 0.17 0.88
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