Power transmission products supplier BMG has introduced two Fenner roller chains aimed at applications where corrosion, contamination and abrasive wear can affect equipment performance, including food production and washdown environments.

The new Fenner Zintek Plus and O-ring roller chains are designed for use in demanding production environments. Although they are not intended for direct food contact, BMG Mechanical Power Transmission internal operations division manager Leon Albert says the chains can be used in food-related applications where corrosion resistance is important.

He says the Zintek Plus chain has been developed for production environments where conventional carbon steel, zinc-plated or nickel-plated chains may not provide an acceptable service life.

The chain is also intended for sugar production, agriculture and fertiliser equipment, materials handling systems, mining and quarry operations, cement and aggregate plants, outdoor installations and coastal or high-humidity environments.

Corrosion and abrasive wear are identified as primary causes of premature chain failure in dusty, high-humidity installations. The chain is intended to provide longer service intervals, reduce unplanned downtime and support maintenance planning.

The Zintek Plus combines two protective technologies. Its plates, rollers and other components are treated with a zinc-aluminium coating that provides resistance to red rust in wet, humid, chemical and outdoor environments.

The coating has adhesion characteristics that reduce the risk of flaking or peeling under mechanical stress, while the treatment eliminates hydrogen embrittlement to maintain mechanical strength. It is also free from harmful heavy metals.

The chain range incorporates chemically nickel-plated, hardened pins with a surface hardness of about 67 to 68 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale (HRC), compared with between 58 HRC and 62 HRC for conventional chain pins and rollers.

The increased hardness is intended to improve wear resistance on load-bearing components, reduce elongation over time and extend operational life in abrasive and high- cycle applications.

Enhanced corrosion protection at the pin interface also supports use in sugar production, where moisture and contaminants can accelerate degradation.

O-ring Chain

BMG has also introduced the Fenner O-ring chain for challenging environments, including outdoor and dusty applications where maintaining lubrication schedules for conventional roller chain can be difficult.

The O-ring design seals lubrication inside the chain while protecting internal components from contamination.

The chain incorporates elastomer O-rings between the inner and outer side plates of each link. These seals retain factory-applied lubricant at the pin-and-bush interface throughout the service life of the chain, while preventing dirt, dust, water and other contaminants from entering.

In conventional roller chains, lubricant applied externally must migrate into the pin-and-bush interface to reduce friction and wear. In harsh environments, this lubricant can be washed away or contaminated, resulting in elongation, increased friction and eventual failure.

The sealed design provides consistent internal lubrication and reduces premature chain failure. It also means that the external surface of the chain remains dry, limiting the accumulation of abrasive dust and debris associated with oil-coated chains.

The Fenner O-ring chain is suited to agricultural machinery, including harvesters, balers and conveyors, as well as mining and quarry equipment, timber processing equipment, recycling facilities, materials-handling conveyors and outdoor installations exposed to weather and airborne contaminants.