Posted to News on 1st Jun 2012, 10:27
Light-weight lube-free hybrid chain for wet environments
Tsubaki's range of PC chain combines the benefits of stainless steel and engineering plastic to create a lube-free hybrid chain for applications where corrosion and a lack of lubrication are a problem. Available in drive, conveyor and attachment variations, the new PC series chains offer resilience to outdoor conditions, detergents and steam, as well as food ingredients such as oils and lactic acid. The solid engineering plastic inner link design promotes easier cleaning and allows lube-free operation, extending chain life in poor lubrication situations.
Tsubaki's PC chain is up to 50 per cent lighter than BS standard roller chain. The solid engineering plastic inner links are specially formulated to provide lube-free operation, producing a longer lasting alternative to all stainless steel versions, where the metal-to-metal contact in poorly or non-lubricated conditions creates premature and unwelcome wear. Cleaning operations are also improved thanks to this inner link design, making the chains suitable for machinery operating in wet environments or food processing, as well as clean room applications where lubrication is not possible.
Dimensionally interchangeable with BS & ANSI SS chain, the SUS304 stainless steel pins and pin link plates ensure chain strength similar to full stainless steel products, and allow chain speeds of up to 70m/min to be achieved. Specification of food-grade materials, and the availability as drive, conveyor or attachment variations, ensures the new PC chains can be used in a broad range of applications across food, packaging, pharmaceutical, healthcare and electronics industries; PC chain has proven particularly successful within the food industry, such as bakery applications.
The reduced weight and effectively maintenance-free operation of the new chains also reduces wear to drive sprockets, further reducing downtime and costs. With the combination of materials used for PC chain another key advantage, as well as reduced weight, is lower noise levels, being 5dB lower than BS standard roller chain.
Machine builders and engineers can achieve overall cost benefits when replacing all stainless steel BS chain, sizes RF06B to RF12B. The ANSI series Plastic Combination chain is also available in sizes RF25 to RF60 size chains and available with A1, K1, SA1, SK1, D1 and D3 attachments.
Increased corrosion resistance
There are also specialist types of chain available within the range in various materials that offer different properties to solve application specific problems; these include a titanium-based engineering plastic combination chain for increased corrosion resistance to even that of normal PC chain with a temperature range of -20degC to +80degC.
Derek Mack, Sales Director for Tsubaki UK, comments: "Tsubaki's PC chain offers long-lasting, corrosion-resistant solutions for a number of applications across many industries. Offering many of the benefits of stainless steel chain, it is lighter than most products on the market and does not require lubrication. Our expert sales team is available to help customer's specify the right solution for their applications."
Visit the website at tsubaki.eu for more information about Tsubaki's range of PC chain.
