Conveyor chains move materials continuously via rollers, pins, and sprockets driven by a motor.
Eight distinct chain types serve applications from food processing to heavy mining.
Pitch, roller diameter, and inner width are the key dimensions for correct chain selection.
Proper tension and regular wear checks are critical to long service life.
Overview
What Is A Conveyor Chain?
A conveyor chain is a specialized chain used within a conveyor system to move materials from one location to another via rollers and plates linked together in series. The pitch — the distance between pin centers — varies depending on the product being transported and the speed required.
Lighter chains use UHMW Polyethylene tracks for wear resistance and reduced power consumption. Heavier chains use hardened alloy steel tracks capable of bearing greater loads over longer service lives. The smaller the pitch, the more chain links engage during motion, producing smoother movement and less vibration.
Key advantages of conveyor chains include low maintenance requirements, high tensile strength, and straightforward assembly. Multiple international standards govern conveyor chain dimensions and performance, with the British Standard being among the most widely adopted globally.
Chain Types
How Many Types of Conveyor Chains Are There?
There are eight main types of conveyor chains, each designed for specific load conditions, environments, and industries.
Roller Conveyor Chains
Rollers reduce friction for smooth, efficient transport. Widely used in automotive assembly lines to move car parts and sub-assemblies.
Heavy-duty
Attachment Conveyor Chains
Extended pins or brackets allow additional components to be mounted. Used in material handling and packaging to carry, lift, or index products.
Material handling
Plastic Conveyor Chains
Lightweight and corrosion-resistant. The standard choice for food processing, beverage, and pharmaceutical lines where hygiene and easy cleaning are critical.
Food & pharma
Steel Conveyor Chains
Exceptional strength and durability, especially in stainless steel variants. Handles harsh environments in mining, construction, and bulk material handling.
Mining & bulk
Slat Conveyor Chains
Slats form a continuous flat surface ideal for large or heavy items. Common in manufacturing and assembly lines where a stable platform is needed.
Manufacturing
Top Chain
Flat top surface ensures stable, secure product transport. Essential in bottling and packaging lines where consistent movement prevents tipping or spillage.
Bottling & packaging
Double Pitch Conveyor Chains
Longer pitch makes them lighter and more economical for extended runs. Suited to agricultural machinery and distribution center conveyors.
Long-distance runs
Leaf Conveyor Chains
Stacked plate construction delivers very high tensile strength for lifting and hoisting — the standard choice for forklifts and crane systems.
Lifting & hoisting
Working Principle
How Does a Conveyor Chain Work?
A conveyor chain operates through a precisely coordinated sequence of mechanical actions. The motor drives a sprocket, the sprocket drives the chain, and the chain carries the load. Understanding each stage helps with correct specification, installation, and maintenance.
1
Motor activation
An ON/OFF control starts the motor, which rotates in the configured direction. The motor determines whether the chain moves forward (feeding) or in reverse, enabling unidirectional or bidirectional operation.
2
Drive wheel engagement
The drive wheel — a toothed sprocket — meshes with the chain links and applies force via friction and mechanical engagement. This is the primary motive force that sets the entire chain in motion.
3
Chain movement along the track
Journal bearings within each chain link — comprising a brush and pin — allow the chain to flex and articulate smoothly around curves and sprockets. Idler wheels (smooth or toothed) support the chain along its path and maintain proper tension via the slack strand.
4
Material transport
As the chain moves, material placed on top moves with it. The chain can feed materials from pickup points to drop points continuously or in batches, depending on the system design.
5
Return via slack strand
After delivering its load, the chain returns along the underside of the conveyor via the slack strand — the section of chain that is not under tension. The pulley system keeps both the carry and return runs aligned and supported.
System Anatomy
Components of a Conveyor Chain System
Six core components work together in every conveyor chain system. Understanding each part’s role is essential for correct specification and effective troubleshooting.
Component
Function
Key Detail
Chain Links
Form the chain body, provide length and flexibility
Each link: two inner plates + two outer plates connected by pins
Rollers
Reduce friction between chain and conveyor track
Positioned between inner plates; minimize wear on both chain and rail
Pins
Connect adjacent chain links and allow them to pivot
Cylindrical; enable the chain to flex around sprockets and bends
Bushings
Act as bearings between pins and rollers
Reduce internal friction; critical for smooth, low-wear operation
Sprockets
Drive or redirect the chain; transfer power from motor
Tooth count and pitch diameter determine speed and torque output
Attachments
Mount onto chain links to carry or index specific products
Extended pins, brackets, or custom fixtures for specialized tasks
FAQ
Common Questions
What is the difference between a conveyor chain and a roller chain?
Conveyor chains are engineered specifically for transporting materials and often feature attachments, slats, or extended plates. Roller chains are a subset of conveyor chains that incorporate rollers to minimize friction and are used in both power transmission and material handling. In practice, all roller chains can be used in conveyors, but not all conveyor chains are roller chains — many use sliding contact rather than rolling contact.
How do you measure a conveyor chain?
Three dimensions define a conveyor chain: (1) Pitch — the center-to-center distance between adjacent pins, which must match the sprocket; (2) Roller diameter — determines contact with the track and affects wear; (3) Inner width — the clearance between the inner link plates, which governs compatibility with sprocket tooth width. Measure a worn chain against these specs to confirm whether elongation (wear) has exceeded the replacement threshold.
How do you adjust and check a conveyor chain?
Tension is adjusted using the tensioning device or adjustment screws — typically aiming for 1–3% sag on the slack strand. During inspection, check for: (1) Elongation — measure pitch across 10–20 links and compare to new-chain spec; replacement is typically needed at 2–3% elongation; (2) Wear — inspect rollers, pins, and bushings for visible wear or pitting; (3) Alignment — the chain should track centrally on sprockets without lateral drift; (4) Lubrication — ensure pins and bushings are adequately lubricated to prevent accelerated wear.
What industries use conveyor chains most widely?
Conveyor chains are used across virtually all manufacturing and processing sectors. The heaviest use is in automotive assembly (roller and slat chains), food and beverage processing (plastic chains), mining and cement production (heavy engineering chains), agricultural machinery (double pitch and leaf chains), escalator and parking systems (specialized step chains), and rubber and steel plant conveyors. The correct chain type depends on load, environment, speed, and the material being transported.
How do I choose the right conveyor chain pitch?
Smaller pitch means more links engaged per revolution, producing smoother motion, less vibration, and higher speed capability — but also more wear surfaces to maintain. Larger pitch (such as double pitch chains) reduces component count and cost for long, slow-moving conveyors. The selection is governed by: required speed, load per link, sprocket size constraints, and the acceptable level of articulation angle between links. Universal Transmission’s engineering team can assist with pitch selection for your specific application.
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Need help selecting the right conveyor chain?
Universal Transmission manufactures a full range of conveyor chains and provides technical consultation for your application.
