The impact of high or low temperature environment on roller chain materials
In industrial applications, roller chains, as an important transmission component, are widely used in various mechanical equipment and production lines. However, different working environments have different requirements for the performance of roller chains, especially in high or low temperature environments, the performance of roller chain materials will change significantly, which directly affects the service life and reliability of roller chains. This article will explore the impact of high or low temperature environments on roller chain materials in depth, and provide international wholesale buyers with a reference for selecting suitable roller chain materials.
1. Overview of roller chain materials
Roller chains are usually made of carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel and other materials. Carbon steel has the characteristics of low cost and high strength, but poor corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance; alloy steel improves the strength, toughness and corrosion resistance of the material by adding alloying elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, etc.; stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and high strength, and is suitable for harsh working environments.
2. The impact of high temperature environment on roller chain materials
(I) Changes in material strength
As the temperature rises, the strength of roller chain materials will gradually decrease. For example, the strength of a general carbon steel chain begins to decrease significantly when the temperature exceeds 200°C. When the temperature reaches above 300°C, the reduction in hardness and strength will be more significant, resulting in a shortened service life of the chain. This is because high temperature will change the lattice structure of the metal material, weaken the bonding force between atoms, and thus reduce the material’s load-bearing capacity.
(ii) Effect of oxidation resistance
In high temperature environments, roller chain materials are prone to oxidation reactions. Carbon steel chains easily react with oxygen to generate iron oxide at high temperatures, which not only consumes the material itself, but also forms an oxide layer on the surface of the chain, resulting in an increase in the friction coefficient of the chain and increased wear. Stainless steel chains, because they contain alloy elements such as chromium, can form a dense chromium oxide film on the surface, which can effectively prevent oxygen from continuing to erode the inside of the material, thereby improving the chain’s oxidation resistance.
(iii) Lubrication issues
High temperatures can change the performance of lubricating oil or grease. On the one hand, the viscosity of the lubricating oil will decrease, the lubrication effect will deteriorate, and it will not be able to form an effective lubricating film on the friction pair surface of the chain, resulting in increased friction and aggravated wear; on the other hand, the grease may melt, evaporate or even burn, lose its lubricating effect, and further accelerate the wear of the chain. Therefore, when using roller chains in high temperature environments, it is necessary to select lubricants suitable for high temperature conditions and increase the frequency of lubrication.
III. The impact of low temperature environment on roller chain materials
(I) Increased material brittleness
As the temperature decreases, the toughness of roller chain materials decreases and the brittleness increases. Especially in low temperature environments, the impact strength of materials will be significantly reduced, and brittle fracture is prone to occur. For example, the impact performance of some standard steel chains will deteriorate significantly when the temperature is below -20℃. This is because the atomic thermal motion of the material is weakened at low temperatures, the dislocation motion is difficult, and the material’s ability to absorb external impact is reduced.
(II) Solidification of lubricants
Low temperatures will increase the viscosity of lubricating oil or grease, and even solidify it. This will make it difficult for the chain to be fully lubricated when starting, increasing friction and wear. Moreover, solidified lubricants may hinder the normal operation of the chain and affect its flexibility. Therefore, when using roller chains in low temperature environments, it is necessary to select lubricants with good low temperature performance, and the chain must be fully preheated and lubricated before use.
(III) Contraction and deformation of the chain
In low temperature environments, the roller chain material will shrink, which may cause the size of the chain to change and affect its matching accuracy with the sprocket. In addition, low temperatures may also increase the residual stress in the chain, causing the chain to deform during use, affecting the smoothness and accuracy of the transmission.
IV. Performance of roller chains of different materials in high and low temperature environments
(I) Stainless steel roller chains
Stainless steel roller chains perform well in both high and low temperature environments. At high temperatures, its oxidation resistance and strength are well maintained, and it can work normally at 400°C or even higher temperatures; at low temperatures, the toughness and corrosion resistance of stainless steel are also excellent, and it can be used at -40°C or even lower temperatures. In addition, stainless steel roller chains also have good corrosion resistance and are suitable for harsh environments such as humidity, acid and alkali.
(II) Alloy steel roller chain
Alloy steel roller chain improves the comprehensive performance of materials by adding alloy elements. In high temperature environment, the strength and oxidation resistance of alloy steel chain are better than carbon steel chain, and it can be used in the temperature range of 300℃ to 450℃; in low temperature environment, the toughness of alloy steel is also better than carbon steel, and it can resist low temperature brittle fracture to a certain extent. However, the cost of alloy steel roller chain is relatively high.
(III) Carbon steel roller chain
Carbon steel roller chain has low cost, but its performance is poor in high and low temperature environments. At high temperature, its strength and hardness decrease significantly, and it is easy to deform and wear; at low temperature, the brittleness of carbon steel increases, the impact performance deteriorates, and it is easy to break. Therefore, carbon steel roller chain is more suitable for use in normal temperature environment.
V. Countermeasures
(I) Material selection
Select the material of the roller chain reasonably according to the temperature conditions of the working environment. For high temperature environment, it is recommended to give priority to roller chains made of stainless steel or alloy steel materials; for low temperature environment, you can choose alloy steel or stainless steel roller chains that have been specially treated to improve their low temperature toughness.
(II) Heat treatment process
The performance of roller chain materials can be improved through appropriate heat treatment processes. For example, quenching and tempering of alloy steel chains can improve their strength and toughness; solid solution treatment of stainless steel chains can enhance their corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance.
(III) Lubrication management
In high and low temperature environments, attention should be paid to the lubrication management of roller chains. Select lubricants suitable for the working temperature and perform lubrication maintenance regularly to ensure that there is always a good lubrication film on the surface of the chain friction pair. In high temperature environments, high temperature resistant grease or solid lubricant can be used; in low temperature environments, lubricants with good low temperature performance should be selected, and the chain should be preheated before use.
VI. Practical application cases
(I) High temperature environment application cases
Stainless steel roller chains are used in high temperature furnace transmission systems in the metallurgical industry. Due to the excellent oxidation resistance and strength retention of stainless steel materials, the chain can operate stably in high temperature environments, reducing production interruptions caused by chain damage. At the same time, regular high temperature lubrication maintenance further extends the service life of the chain.
(II) Application cases in low temperature environments
In the cold storage conveying equipment of cold chain logistics, alloy steel roller chains that have undergone special low temperature treatment are used. This chain has good toughness and impact resistance at low temperatures and can adapt to the low temperature environment of cold storage. In addition, by using low temperature lubricants, the flexible operation and low wear of the chain at low temperatures are ensured.
VII. Conclusion
High or low temperature environments have a significant impact on the performance of roller chain materials, including changes in material strength, differences in oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance, lubrication problems, and increased brittleness of materials. When selecting roller chain materials, the temperature conditions of the working environment should be fully considered, and roller chains of different materials such as stainless steel, alloy steel or carbon steel should be reasonably selected, and corresponding heat treatment processes and lubrication management measures should be taken to ensure the reliable operation and long life of the roller chain in high and low temperature environments. For international wholesale buyers, understanding these influencing factors and countermeasures will help make wise choices when purchasing roller chains to meet the needs of different customers in various working environments.
Post time: Mar-12-2025