Timken Unveils Maintenance-Free, Food-Grade Roller Chain

Timken recently released a new maintenance-free roller chain designed specifically for applications where regular lubrication is not possible or practical. The Drives Element is a sintered bushing chain that’s intended for packaging, food and beverage or general applications where traditional lubrication and lubrication systems are not an option.

The name “Element” reflects the combination of three performance elements in the design: integrated lubrication, corrosion resistance and wear performance. The chain utilizes a premium H1 food-grade lubricant with a bushing that maximizes the lubricant available to the pin, thus eliminating the need for traditional in-application lubrication and reducing the opportunity for product contamination.

The chrome-hardened pins offer a smooth, hard-pin surface that works in concert with the lubricant and bushing to minimize wear, thereby reducing chain elongation and providing more than 2.5 times the wear performance of leading sintered bushing chains.

The chain also features the Silver Shield CR coating on exposed surfaces, providing three times the corrosion protection of nickel-plated chain and making it suitable for high-humidity applications.

“We designed the Drives Element roller chain to be a versatile product that outperforms all other sintered bushing chains on the market,” explained Rich Neuhengen, product manager of Drives. “The H1 food-grade lubricant allows the chain to be used in incidental-contact food-processing applications while delivering outstanding wear performance for both food and industrial applications. While packaging and food and beverage applications will be common users of Drives Element, it offers a compelling value proposition for many general-purpose applications where traditional lubrication isn’t a viable option.”

The Drives Element roller chain can operate at a maximum speed of 160 feet per minute and at temperatures ranging from 14 to 302 degrees F. It is available in single-strand ANSI 40, 50, 60 and 80 sizes as well as double-pitch C2040, C2050, C2060H and C2080H.

For more information, visit www.timken.com.