Here at DUROCHAIN, we made quality, precision, and longevity our main goals when designing and manufacturing our premium roller chains. We achieved these goals using the highest quality raw steel materials, specific processes for each component, and unique assembly and post-manufacturing processes. Below you will see what truly makes our chains genuine tier-one products and how they differ from their predecessors.

Through-Hardened High-Strength Pins

One of the most stressed components in a roller chain is the pins. The industry standard for premium chains is a case hardening process that provides a high-strength abrasion-resistant layer on the outer surface of the pin. This technique has been used for many years and does provide excellent strength and wear resistance until the hardness layer is worn. At DUROCHAIN, we use pins hardened to the core, called through hardened pins. This provides ample wear resistance throughout the life of the chain and increases strength. Furthermore, a standard case hardness we found on other tier-one roller chain brands was 58 HRC; DUROCHAIN pins are precisely hardened to 47-51 HRC through the entire pin.

Precision Solid Round Parts

Drastically improving chain wear life and performance of transmitting energy, solid bushings and rollers provide perfectly cylindrical bearing surfaces. Solid round parts require special manufacturing equipment that most factories will not make the initial investment in; however, the improvements in wear life and performance versus a chain with split round parts outweigh these costs in the long run. The issue with a split bushing or a split roller is when a chain experiences shock load or is used for some time, the split components will begin to deform, causing excessive internal wear and friction. All of our standard mild-steel DUROCHAINs use these solid round parts except hollow pin chains. Additionally, our bushings are made from SCM420 alloy steel hardened to 57 - 58 HRC; the rollers are made from SAE1035 steel and hardened to 44 - 47 HRC. We have found that these specific hardnesses provide the best wear life possible for the material itself.

Max Countour Sideplates

Precision made from AISI 1055/ AISI 1541 steel alloy and hardened to 42 - 45 HRC, our unique max contour side plates provide the highest shock load absorption and most extended wear life! The unique design adds additional material to the plate while maintaining the dimensional requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). DUROCHAIN max contour side plates add strength and wear life to their accompanied chain assembly compared to the standard side plates used by other tier-one chains.

Quad-Staked Rivets

DUROCHAINs are equipped with high-hold quad-staked rivets instead of the standard dual-stake rivets used by other manufacturers. This improves the chain's ability to withstand shock loads and side thrust. The superior rivet ensures that the chain is held together with the utmost capacity possible, giving it more versatile capabilities than its predecessors.

Superior Plate Hole Preparation

We compared processes to other premium roller chain plate holes to see the most effective and best method for achieving the maximum holding power possible. Most manufacturers use a simple piercing method when creating these plate holes; some use piercing and shaving processes. DUROCHAIN link plate holes are precision pierced, shaved, and ball drifted. Combining all three methods produces link plates capable of superior holding power and maximum pin-to-plate contact.

Perfectly Factory Pre-Load

DUROCHAIN is factory pre-loaded to a specific amount that ensures absolute minimal chain stretch. By today's standards, almost all roller chains are pre-loaded to some extent; however, a specific percentage achieves the best balance of reducing stretch and improving wear life. Extensive research was done to ensure DUROCHAIN was factory pre-loaded to this perfect percentage. Additionally, pre-loading ensures all components are perfectly aligned post-manufacturing for optimal performance.