81X Chain

Starting with the best materials leads to higher strength and better wear life. Our manufacturing process begins with raw materials that meet exacting standards for metal grade, mechanical properties, carbon and alloy content to ensure minimization of impurities that impact tensile and fatigue strength.

Drives designs each component to exacting dimensional standards for optimal performance. Case-hardened pins, solid rollers and bushings work in concert with linkplates to create Drives^® 81X chain. CHP pins can be added as an upgrade to decrease wear between the pin and bushing, reducing elongation and increasing wear life.

Strict control of atmosphere, time and temperature optimize the material properties – increasing strength, durability and wear resistance.

We shot peen our roller and link plates for greater fatigue strength. This adds a layer of compressive stress that helps components resist failure when exposed to repeated high loads. In addition, we press steel balls through the pitch holes in a process called ballizing – effectively optimizing bearing contact between pins, bushings and linkplates to increase chain fatigue resistance and pin retention.

We use a proprietary lubrication process on all lubricated chains for enhanced corrosion protection and extended wear life.

Following assembly, all chains are preloaded to firmly seat the pins and bushings. This is to reduce initial run-in and extend the wear life of the chain.