5.4.1 Use in Wet Conditions
When metal chains are splashed with water or go through heated vapor, the following problems may occur:
- Increase in wear due to improper or insufficient lubrication.
- Decrease in strength due to corrosive attack.
- Shortened chain life due to rust or corrosion of the chain.
You can take the following steps to reduce the effect of wet conditions in several ways:
- Use larger-sized chains to decrease the bearing pressure and increase wear resistance.
- Allow for the corrosive-reduction factor in your calculations.
- Use plated steel or stainless steel chain.
Wear of engineered plastic chains may increase if they are used in water. In wet applications, stainless steel chains will wear less than engineered plastic chains.
