Product category reference

Industrial chain

Industrial chain is a series of linked steel components made to transmit power, move material, lift loads, secure cargo or work in marine service. The chain family matters because roller chain, conveyor chain, lifting chain and anchor chain are designed around different forces and interfaces.

A chain that fits the same nominal size may still be unsuitable if its pitch, plate form, heat treatment, grade or proof testing differs. Start with the job the chain performs, then confirm the dimensions and standard used by the sprocket, attachment or lifting system.

Industrial chain should be classified by function before size. A drive chain, conveyor chain and lifting chain can all use steel links and pins, but they transfer load in different ways and follow different standards, testing rules and maintenance practices.

In this guide

Product families

The main types of industrial chain

The category name covers products with different constructions and jobs. The sections below explain each family, where it is used and what a useful specification should contain.

Product family

Roller chain

What it is

A precision chain with pins, bushings and rollers that mesh with toothed sprockets. Joint dimensions must match the selected ANSI or ISO chain series and sprocket geometry.

Applications

Power transmission in machinery, agricultural equipment, access systems and industrial drives.

What to specify

Confirm pitch, roller diameter, inner width, strand count, tensile strength, lubrication and the dimensional standard.

Suppliers

We currently have 2 suppliers and 17 products in this product family. You can search for them here.

**Example product:** Transmission Chain from Hongkong Chinabase Intl Group.

Product family

Conveyor chain

What it is

A chain designed to carry products or bulk material, often with extended pins, attachments, flights or specialized rollers.

Applications

Food lines, packaging, steel mills, cement plants, agriculture, mining and other material-handling conveyors.

What to specify

Define chain pull, speed, center distance, attachment pattern, environment, articulation and the load carried by each pitch.

Suppliers

We currently have 4 suppliers and 89 products in this product family. You can search for them here.

**Example product:** Mining Conveyor Chain from Thiele.

Product family

Lifting and hoist chain

What it is

Heat-treated alloy chain manufactured, proof tested and marked for a rated lifting grade. Its working load limit is tied to link size, grade and the complete sling or hoist assembly.

Applications

Chain slings, manual and powered hoists, foundries, construction, shipyards and industrial load handling.

What to specify

Confirm grade markings, working load limit, proof test, traceability, compatible fittings and the applicable lifting standard.

Suppliers

We currently have 12 suppliers and 79 products in this product family. You can search for them here.

**Example product:** EN 818-2 Grade 8 Chain from Rudong Chain Works.

Product family

Anchor and marine chain

What it is

Heavy stud-link or studless chain made for anchoring, mooring and marine restraint. Marine grades are defined by link dimensions, proof load, break load and approval rules.

Applications

Ships, barges, buoys, offshore equipment, aquaculture and permanent mooring systems.

What to specify

Confirm chain grade, nominal size, link form, length, finish, matching accessories and any classification-society requirement.

Suppliers

We currently have 3 suppliers and 6 products in this product family. You can search for them here.

**Example product:** Anchor and Anchor Chain from Dragon Trade.

Product family

Stainless steel chain

What it is

Roller, conveyor or welded-link chain made from a stainless alloy for corrosion resistance and cleanliness. Stainless grade and chain design still depend on the mechanical duty.

Applications

Food processing, packaging, chemical plants, marine equipment, washdown lines and wet environments.

What to specify

Specify alloy, chain type, dimensional series, load, temperature, cleaning chemistry, lubrication and surface-finish requirements.

Suppliers

We currently have 5 suppliers and 11 products in this product family. You can search for them here.

**Example product:** Stainless Steel Roller Chain from Hongkong Chinabase Intl Group.

Product family

Welded link chain

What it is

Round steel bar formed into links and welded closed. It may be supplied in commercial, calibrated, transport, agricultural or other grades, but it is not automatically rated for lifting.

Applications

Tie-downs, barriers, forestry, agriculture, mining, general restraint and non-overhead industrial service.

What to specify

Define link dimensions, material or grade, finish, proof or break load, calibration, end use and whether lifting approval is explicitly required.

Suppliers

We currently have 10 suppliers and 61 products in this product family. You can search for them here.

**Example product:** DIN Welded Link Chain from Qingdao Hquality Industries.

Applications

Where these products are used

Application conditions determine which product family and evidence matter. Start with the load, movement, environment and expected service life.

Industrial drives

Chain and sprockets transfer rotary power between shafts.

Usually considered: Precision roller chain

Material handling

Attachments, rollers or flights carry goods through a production process.

Usually considered: Conveyor and agricultural chain

Lifting and rigging

Graded chain carries suspended loads through slings or hoists.

Usually considered: Alloy lifting chain

Marine restraint

Heavy chain resists sustained loading, shock and a corrosive environment.

Usually considered: Anchor and mooring chain

Compare common types

The differences that change the application

Use this as an orientation guide. Final selection should follow the equipment, project or product specification.

Type	Construction	Typical use	Confirm before buying
Roller chain	Pins, bushings, rollers and plates	Power transmission	Pitch and sprocket series
Conveyor chain	Bearing pins, plates, rollers and attachments	Moving products or bulk material	Chain pull, attachment pattern and wear surfaces
Grade 80 lifting chain	Heat-treated welded links	Alloy chain slings	Working load limit, proof test and markings
Leaf chain	Interlaced plates on pins	Lift masts and counterweights	Series, lacing and sheave match
Stud-link anchor chain	Large links with internal studs	Anchoring and mooring	Marine grade and classification evidence

Standards and certification

Chain standards depend on the duty

There is no single industrial-chain standard. Dimensional standards, lifting grades and marine rules answer different questions.

ISO 606 / ANSI B29.1

Dimensional systems for short-pitch precision roller and bush chains, attachments and sprockets.

EN 818 series

European requirements for short-link chain used for lifting, including grade and testing requirements.

ASME B30.9

Safety requirements for slings, including alloy steel chain slings and their inspection and use.

Classification rules

Anchor and mooring chain may require approval and testing under a named marine classification society.

Example products and suppliers

See how these products appear in supplier catalogs

The examples below connect the category definitions to real product pages. Open a product to review its supplier description, available specification tables and supporting evidence.

Roller chain

Transmission Chain

Example supplier: Hongkong Chinabase Intl Group Ltd

A direct catalog example covering driving chain and short-pitch precision roller-chain series.

Open product

Welded link & lifting chain

EN818-2 Grade 8 Short Link Chain

Example supplier: Rudong Chain Works

A Grade 8 short-link chain listed for chain slings under EN 818-2. Check size-specific load data and certificates.

Open product

Anchor & marine chain

Anchor & Anchor Chains

Example supplier: Dragon Trade Inc

An anchor, chain and accessory catalog example for marine service and matching system components.

Open product

Questions buyers ask

Direct answers about this product category

Supplier catalogs often use the same words for different constructions. These answers make the important distinctions explicit.

01What makes industrial chain different from ordinary welded chain?: Industrial chain is selected for a defined mechanical duty. Roller chain must mesh precisely with sprockets. Conveyor chain must carry material through a specific attachment pattern. Lifting chain must have a rated grade, proof test and working load limit. Ordinary welded chain may be suitable for barriers or non-rated restraint, but dimensional similarity does not make it suitable for drives or overhead lifting.
02What is the difference between roller chain and conveyor chain?: Roller chain transmits power between sprockets through a compact precision joint. Conveyor chain is built around chain pull, carried load, wear surfaces and attachments. Some conveyor chains use rollers, but their side plates, pins and attachments are configured for moving products rather than simply transmitting rotary power.
03Can Grade 80 chain be used for overhead lifting?: Grade 80 alloy chain is commonly used in chain slings when it is manufactured, tested, marked and certified for lifting. A grade claim in a product title is not enough. Buyers should confirm size-specific working load limits, proof testing, traceability, compatible fittings and compliance with the governing sling and workplace rules.
04Why does chain pitch matter?: Pitch is the distance between corresponding points on adjacent chain joints. It controls how roller and conveyor chain engage with sprockets. A pitch mismatch causes poor seating, impact, rapid wear and possible failure. Pitch is only one dimension, so roller diameter, inner width, plate height and strand count must also match the system.
05How is anchor chain specified?: Anchor chain is specified by link size, grade, stud-link or studless construction, proof and break loads, length, finish, accessories and the applicable marine rule. Vessel and offshore projects may require approval by a named classification society, witnessed testing and traceable markings on links and certificates.
06What should a chain request for quote include?: State the duty, chain family, dimensional standard or series, size, material or grade, working load, speed, environment, lubrication, attachment pattern, matching sprocket or fitting details, testing, certification, length and quantity. Photographs and drawings help when replacing an installed conveyor or agricultural chain.

Related categories

Products buyers often compare next

Open a neighboring category when the end use calls for a different construction, coating or reinforcement system.

Wire rope and cable

Load-bearing rope, cable and finished assemblies.

Industrial steel wire

Wire for forming, springs, tying and fabrication.

Buyer guides

Questions to settle before requesting quotes

These guides explain the decisions that are hard to correct after production starts.

Grade 80 versus grade 100 chain

Planned guide for load rating, weight and standard selection.

How to specify roller chain

Planned guide for pitch, strand count, sprockets and attachments.

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