Three reasons for the failure of engineering steel chain and how to overcome them
Many demanding industrial processes, such as brick and cement making, and various agricultural and construction machinery, rely on the engineering chains to keep them going. Unfortunately, the harsh operating conditions, including heavy loading, wear, dust, and debris, increased the stress of those chain's operations, leading to a higher risk of failure. If the chains malfunctioned, production would come to a complete stop. Depending on the application, it may take hours to days to replace the engineering steel chain. Here, we look at three of the most common causes of chain failures.
1. Choose high-quality steel
If the engineering chains wear out quickly, it is more possible influenced by the quality of the steel. If the steel is poor, it may not be properly heat-treated to achieve the required hardness. However, since most of these problems are not visible on the surface, it is necessary to ask the supplier for the material report.
Solution: the price is a good judgment of the quality of the engineering steel chain. A low-priced engineering steel chain is likely to be made of inferior materials. Professional manufacturing techniques and high purity materials help optimize reliability and reduce costs through longer life.
2. Effective maintenance
Dust, debris, and other particles increase the risk of engineering steel chain damage. To avoid this additional pressure, the engineering steel chain needs to be maintained and replaced periodically, but the operating conditions can make it a time-consuming and costly process. Without maintenance, however, the engineering steel chain is at the mercy of the environment and is likely to fail soon.
Solution: reduce the risk of unplanned outages by selecting engineering steel chains that can withstand harsh conditions and limited maintenance. Leading manufacturers have extended the life of chains by using special coatings to reduce the impact of any impurities. Special design can also limit the amount of debris and minimize damage.
3. Prepare for heavy loads
Engineering steel chains play an important role in heavy load-bearing, but this bearing also increases wear and tear on the overall components, especially the pins. Extreme load creates high pressures, which can cause them to wear out quickly and chips appear. As the gap between the pin and bushing increases, the chips are more likely to enter the conveying system. In addition, as the outer diameter of the pin and bushing decreases, which makes them less resistant to wear, thereby increasing damage. This shortens the wear life and increases the risk of failure.
Solution: to avoid costly replacement and downtime, check whether the engineering steel chain of your choice can withstand heavy loads, or is specifically developed for such applications. This means that the manufacturer has designed the engineering steel chain so that all components (including the pins) can meet the challenge and perform any additional surface treatment if necessary.