Roller chains are the most prevalent industrial chain type and find application across many industries. They transfer power from one section of a conveyor system to the next through linked chains and sprockets.

Roller chains are an extremely standardized and specialized type of chain that uses stringent specifications in the selection of raw materials, clearances, and heat treatments to achieve desired strength and durability. As such, they’re best suited for clean indoor environments where pins and bushings can remain free from airborne dust particles and debris.

The silent chain (also referred to as an inverted tooth chain) transmits power at high speeds while remaining soundless. This type of chain consists of flat plates stacked in rows and connected through one or more pins, increasing load-bearing capacity, tensile strength, and chain width with each additional flat plate per link.

Silent chains have many applications — from medium to large motorcycle and automobile engines, transfer case drives in four-wheel-drive vehicles, and primary drives between engine and transmission to other high-speed tasks. Their non-slip surface also makes them suitable for conveying purposes due to resistance to heat and friction.

Sprocket chains are used in conveyor drives, printing presses, and industrial machinery to transmit movement and force from one sprocket to the next.

Sprockets come in either single or double pitch, depending on the number of teeth needed to fit between roller-pin centers on a chain. Chains with larger pitch diameters require sprockets with similar size teeth, while smaller chains with shorter distances between roller pin centers need smaller teeth. Sprockets are available in a range of materials, such as steel and aluminum — some hardened for extended life, others with built-in wear indicators.

Idler sprockets are a type of gear used in power transmission systems to maintain chain tension, change its direction, or position it away from obstacles. They usually spin freely on a shaft that does not transmit power, helping reduce vibration or wear on other components.

Modern idler designs replace the traditional toothed-sprocket idler with a resilient roller that absorbs load peaks and smooths out tension lows — eliminating the snap and wear associated with older toothed idler designs.

Conveyor chains are essential tools in the transportation of goods from one location to another. Generally made out of steel, they can also be constructed from wood or other materials. Conveyor chains come in a range of strengths, loading capacities, and pitches — with certain varieties better suited to specific applications.

Conveyor chains are typically produced to national and international standards, such as British Standard (BS) conveyor chains. ISO versions are also commonly used in Europe. Both standards ensure dimensional interchangeability and predictable performance across systems.