Engineering Chains

ENGINEERING-CHAINS-1

Welded steel conveyor chains, cast link chains, forged chains, bucket elevator chains, scraper chains, coal washing chains, bottle washer chains, and drag chains for cement, mining, steel, chemical, and heavy process industry applications. ISO 1977 heavy series and DIN 8167 standard dimensions.

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Welded Steel

Cast / Forged

Up to 3,000 kN

Breaking Load

-40 to +700C

Operating Range

10+ Series

Elevator / Scraper / Drag

Engineering Chain - Product Overview

Korea Ever-Power engineering chains are purpose-designed for the most demanding conveying and elevating applications in heavy industry: cement kilns, blast furnace charge elevators, coal mine face and gate end conveyors, quarry apron feeders, steel works scrap charging, sugar mill mills elevator chains, bottle washing machine chains, paper pulp digesters, and chemical plant reactor feed conveyors. These chains differ fundamentally from the standard roller conveyor chains in the EP conveyor range - they use forged or cast components in place of stamped steel plates, welded or swaged construction instead of press-fit pin assembly, and alloy steel throughout rather than carbon steel.

The principal engineering chain families are: welded steel bushing chains (WH, WHX, WHD series) for bucket elevators and heavy conveying; cast link chains (P series, H class) for steel works and quarry drag conveyors; scraper conveyor chains (round-link, oval-link, and rectangular-link) for coal mine face conveyors; bottle washer chains for glass bottle cleaning machines; sugar mill chains for bagasse carrier conveyors; and lumber and log chains for sawmill log handling and timber sorting.

EP engineering chains are supplied in alloy steel with heat treatment specified to achieve the Brinell hardness required for the application - typically 250 to 350 HB for general heavy duty, 350 to 450 HB for abrasive service, and selected grades up to 550 HB for extreme abrasion resistance. Material certifications are provided with all engineering chain deliveries. Non-standard pitch, non-standard roller diameter, and custom attachment configurations are available with drawings and a minimum order quantity of one circuit length or 10 metres, whichever is greater.

Korea Ever-Power engineering chains WH series welded steel bushing chain product

Engineering Chain Series Summary

Series / Type Construction Pitch Range Max. Tensile Primary Use
WH / WHX Bushing Welded + pressed bushing 100 to 305 mm 1,600 kN Bucket elevators, heavy conveyors
WHD Double Pitch Welded, double pitch bushing 130 to 260 mm 800 kN Agricultural elevators, seed processing
Cast Link (P Series) Cast alloy steel links 150 to 400 mm 3,000 kN Quarry drag conveyor, blast furnace
Round Link Scraper Round bar, oval welded link 86 to 152 mm 1,200 kN Coal mine face conveyor (AFC/BSL)
Bottle Washer Chain Cast / stainless links 100 to 125 mm 200 kN Glass bottle washing machines
Sugar Mill Chain Cast or forged, flanged 160 to 200 mm 600 kN Bagasse carrier conveyor, cane elevator
Drag Chain Forged or welded, heavy duty 200 to 500 mm 2,000 kN Steel scrap yard, slag handling
Timber / Log Chain Forged, hook or lug links 150 to 250 mm 400 kN Sawmill log decks, timber sorting

 

WH Series Welded Steel Bushing Chains

WH series chains are the industry standard for bucket elevator and heavy bulk conveyor service. The link is formed from heavy-duty steel strip, bent to a figure-eight shape and welded at the seam. The bush is pressed into the barrel. These chains carry very high tensile loads at low speed and are rated primarily by minimum breaking load per the ISO 1977 heavy series classification.

Conveyor-chains-for-elevator-dimension-1

EP Model DIN / ISO Ref. Pitch (mm) Inner Width (mm) Barrel Dia. (mm) Min. Tensile (kN) Wt. (kg/m)
EP-WH78 WH78 100.00 36.0 38.0 245 9.8
EP-WH82 WH82 100.00 32.0 43.0 290 11.2
EP-WH106 WH106 130.18 45.0 48.0 450 16.0
EP-WH110 WH110 130.18 48.0 52.0 500 18.5
EP-WH124 WH124 152.40 51.0 60.0 630 22.0
EP-WH132 WH132 152.40 57.0 67.0 710 27.0
EP-WH150 WH150 200.00 64.0 76.0 900 38.0
EP-WH176 WH176 228.60 76.0 89.0 1,200 58.0
EP-WH196 WH196 260.35 89.0 100.0 1,600 78.0

Round Link Scraper Conveyor Chains

Round link chains for underground coal mine face conveyors (armoured face conveyors, AFC) and beam stage loaders (BSL). These chains are manufactured to DIN 22252 and BS 6396 standards and run in the channel section of the conveyor pan without sprocket engagement - they are pulled along by friction contact with the chain conveyor drive unit through scraper bars welded or clamped to the chain at intervals. The chain must therefore resist high tensile loads, be flexible in all planes, and resist abrasive contact with coal, rock, and steel pans.

EP Model Standard Chain Size Pitch (mm) Bar Dia. (mm) Min. Tensile (kN) Wt. (kg/m)
EP-RL34x86 DIN 22252 34x86 86 34 500 21.4
EP-RL38x100 DIN 22252 38x100 100 38 630 26.5
EP-RL42x118 DIN 22252 42x118 118 42 800 32.0
EP-RL48x137 DIN 22252 48x137 137 48 1,000 42.5
EP-RL54x152 DIN 22252 54x152 152 54 1,200 54.0

Specialty Engineering Chain Series

Cast Link Drag Chains (P Series)

Individual cast alloy steel links connected by pins or through-bolts, forming an extremely robust chain for quarry apron feeders, scrap yard drag conveyors, blast furnace charge elevator chains, and ore bin feeders. The cast link design tolerates impact from large rocks and scrap metal that would fracture conventional plate-and-pin chains. Available in high-chromium iron for abrasive wear resistance or manganese steel for impact resistance.

Pitch 150 mm to 400 mm. Breaking load up to 3,000 kN. Links can be supplied to customer drawings.

Bottle Washer Chains

Glass bottle washing machines use chain conveying systems that carry the bottles in pocket carriers through a series of pre-wash, wash, rinse, and final rinse tanks. The chains operate immersed in hot caustic washing solutions at 60 to 80 degrees C and must resist corrosion while carrying the load of filled bottle pockets. EP bottle washer chains are available in hardened steel with hot-dip galvanising for alkaline resistance, or in stainless steel for more demanding caustic concentrations.

Pitch 100 mm and 125 mm. Width configurations for standard Krones, KHS, Barry-Wehmiller, and SMF machine series.

Sugar Mill Chains

Sugar cane elevators and bagasse carrier conveyors use purpose-designed chains with flanged or fitted carrier bars that move cane stalks from the off-loading table to the cutting and milling equipment, and carry bagasse (spent cane fibre) from the mills to the boiler house. EP sugar mill chains follow the standard pitch and bearing dimensions used in Fulton, Fives Cail, and Fletcher-Smith mill designs. Cast manganese steel links for the most severely loaded positions.

Pitch 160 mm to 200 mm. Cast or forged construction. Carrier bar fixing holes drilled to pattern drawings.

Coal Washing Chains

Chains for heavy medium coal washing plants, including the drive chains for magnetite medium bath separators, fine coal spirals, and dense medium cyclone feed pumps. These chains operate immersed in magnetite medium and must resist abrasion from fine coal and magnetite particles while maintaining dimensional accuracy for sprocket engagement. Chrome-molybdenum alloy steel with through-hardening to 350 to 400 HB is standard.

Available in WH series pitch sizes. Can be supplied as replacement chains for existing plants with measured sample.

Timber and Log Handling Chains

Sawmill log deck chains, log sorting and grading conveyor chains, and debarker infeed chains. These chains must carry very high impact loads from logs being dropped or rolled onto the conveyor, and must resist wear from sand and grit embedded in log bark. EP log chains use forged steel links with integral hooks or cleats for log engagement. Log storage pond chain systems for floating log sorting are also available.

Pitch 150 mm to 250 mm. Working load rated per pair of chains to support maximum log diameter and density.

Steel Works Chains

Chains for blast furnace skip hoists, charging conveyors, coke oven pusher ram drives, and hot metal ladle transfer cars. Steel works chain applications are among the most demanding in engineering - high temperature from radiant heat, heavy impact, scale and slag contamination, and very long service life requirements between maintenance shutdowns. Heat-resistant alloy steel with ceramic or graphite dry lubrication is required above 400 degrees C.

P series cast links or WH series forged. Custom working load and pitch to plant specification drawing.

Six Key Engineering Chain Selection Factors

1. Operating Temperature

Below 250 degrees C: standard alloy steel with mineral oil lubrication. 250 to 400 degrees C: heat-resistant alloy steel, graphite grease or dry lubrication. Above 400 degrees C: chrome-silicon alloy, ceramic coating of contact surfaces, or nichrome alloy. Above 600 degrees C: special high-alloy steel or nickel-based alloy. Temperature affects both the alloy specification and the lubrication method.

2. Hardness vs. Toughness

Abrasive applications favour harder steel (350 to 500 HB); impact-loaded applications favour tougher, more ductile steel (220 to 300 HB). When both abrasion and impact are present - as in quarry or mine applications - a compromise heat treatment is used, or the most critical wear surfaces are clad with hard-facing weld deposit.

3. Corrosive Environment

Caustic washing machines, sugar mill juice conveyors, and coal washery circuits all expose chains to corrosive liquids. Options include hot-dip galvanising for mild alkaline environments, stainless steel for food and pharmaceutical washdown, and chrome-manganese alloys for acidic mine drainage. Surface protection cannot substitute for correct alloy selection in continuously immersed applications.

4. Pitch Tolerance

Engineering chains that run in sprockets require controlled pitch tolerance for smooth engagement. Drag chains that run in channels without sprocket engagement can tolerate wider pitch variation. Specifying an unnecessarily tight pitch tolerance adds cost; specifying too loose a tolerance causes sprocket ride-up and shock loading. For replacement chains, measure the worn sprocket pitch diameter and specify a chain pitch matched to the existing tooth form.

5. Attachment Configuration

Engineering chains frequently carry scraper bars, bucket flanges, or carrier attachments. The attachment method - bolted, welded, clamped, or lug-and-clevis - must be specified and matched to the attachment material. For replacement, measure the existing attachment flange hole pattern, the distance from chain centreline to attachment face, and the attachment plate thickness. EP supplies chain and matching fabricated attachments as a matched assembly when requested.

6. Circuit Length and Joining

Engineering chains are typically supplied and installed in complete circuit lengths rather than from a coil. The joining method for the circuit ends must be specified - for WH series, connecting links with spring clips are standard for lower-load applications; cotter pin connectors or bolted connecting links are used at higher loads. For round link scraper chains, the standard joiner is a master link that can be disconnected at the surface before the chain enters the underground headings.

Applications

Cement Manufacturing

EP-WH124 to EP-WH176 bucket elevator chains for cement raw meal and clinker elevating to silo tops. WH series drag chains for kiln feed conveyors and clinker transport pans at temperatures above 400 degrees C. Cast link chains for reclaimer face conveyors in cement raw materials storage halls. EP can supply matched replacement chains to the standard dimensions used by FLSmidth, ThyssenKrupp Polysius, Gebr. Pfeiffer, and KHD cement plant equipment.

Coal Mining

EP round link scraper chains to DIN 22252 for underground armoured face conveyors (AFC) and beam stage loaders (BSL). Available in the standard sizes used by Caterpillar (Joy), Komatsu Mining (DBT), Eickhoff, and Chinese OEM manufacturers. Replacement chains can be supplied to a sample chain dimension check by EP engineers. Chain for surface preparation plants (washeries, preparation plants, and blending stockpiles) in WH and M series is also available.

Quarrying and Aggregates

EP cast link drag chains for quarry apron feeder conveyors that receive blasted rock directly from the primary crusher discharge. The cast manganese steel links absorb the impact of rocks up to 800 mm diameter and resist abrasion from silica-bearing aggregate. EP P-series chains are also used in aggregate crushing plant vibrating screen drive chains, raw material bucket elevators, and gravel washing plant conveyors where the chain must function in a continuously wet and abrasive environment.

Food and Beverage Industry

EP bottle washer chains for glass returnable bottle washing lines in major beverage plants. The chains carry the bottle pocket carriers through multi-stage washing and rinsing zones at elevated temperatures in caustic detergent solutions. Galvanised carbon steel chains for standard HDPE bottle pockets; stainless steel for premium lines where bottle quality demands cleaner washing solutions. EP also supplies sugar mill chains for cane handling and bagasse conveying in sugar manufacturing plants.

Korea Ever-Power engineering chain production and heavy component manufacturing

Related Products - Chains and Matching Sprockets

Korea Ever-Power sprockets and chain wheels for driving conveyor agricultural and engineering chains

Every chain in the Korea Ever-Power range has a matching sprocket available through our partner site sprocket-chain.net. Sprockets are manufactured in C45 carbon steel, ductile iron, and case-hardened alloy steel to suit the tooth form geometry of each specific chain series. Using a matched EP sprocket alongside an EP chain guarantees correct pitch engagement, consistent tooth load distribution, and maximum chain service life.

The sprocket range covers simplex, duplex, and triplex tooth profiles for standard A and B series roller chains; agricultural tooth forms for CA, CC, and S series chains; ISO 1977 tooth profiles for M series conveyor chains; and custom tooth forms for WH series engineering chains. Bore machining, keyway, set screw, taper lock, and QD bushing hub designs are all available. Standard bore sizes ship within 5 working days; finished-bore and special-hub sprockets ship within 10 working days.

View Matching Sprockets →

Korea Ever-Power driving chains

Driving Chains

A and B series short pitch precision roller chains. Pitch 9.525 mm to 76.2 mm, simplex to triplex.

View Driving Chains

Korea Ever-Power leaf chains

Leaf Chains

BL and LH hoisting chains for forklift masts and industrial hoists. Breaking loads to 1,600+ kN.

View Leaf Chains

Korea Ever-Power conveyor chains

Conveyor Chains

C/M/HP/FV/MT series for assembly lines, food processing, packaging, and bulk material conveying.

View Conveyor Chains

Korea Ever-Power agricultural chains

Agricultural Chains

CA, CC, and S series for combine harvesters, balers, and crop handling machinery.

View Agricultural Chains

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a WH series chain and an M series conveyor chain?
M series chains (ISO 1977) are roller conveyor chains - they have a steel roller on a bush, and the roller engages sprocket teeth in the conventional way. WH series chains are welded steel bushing chains with a tubular barrel rather than a turned roller, and they engage sprocket tooth pockets rather than between sprocket teeth in the manner of roller chains. The WH series handles higher tensile loads at the same pitch because the forged construction is stronger than the stamped-steel plate construction used in M series chains. WH chains are used where the M series maximum tensile load would be exceeded, or where the operating environment is too severe for the rolled-steel plate construction of M series chains.
Can you supply engineering chains to an existing plant sample?
Yes, this is the most reliable method for replacing engineering chains where the original standard or manufacturer is unknown. Send a sample of at least 3 to 5 connected links to EP for dimensional survey. The EP engineering team will measure pitch, inner width, barrel or roller diameter, pin diameter, overall height, attachment hole pattern (if present), and identify the closest standard designation. A dimensional drawing and quotation will be returned within 5 working days. For urgently needed replacement chains where the sample cannot be released, provide: pitch measurement between 3 consecutive pin centres (average of three measurements at different positions on the circuit), inner width at the tightest point, barrel outer diameter, and overall chain height. Photographs from multiple angles are also helpful for identifying the construction type.
How are round link scraper chains joined for installation?
Round link scraper chains are joined by a master link (also called a joiner link or connecting link) that consists of two half-links which, when fitted together and secured with a split-pin or bolt, form a complete link identical in profile to the surrounding chain links. The master link allows the chain to be assembled as a complete circuit underground and split for removal at the end of a face advance. EP supplies master links in the same alloy and hardness specification as the chain. Scraper bars are attached to the chain at intervals using bolt-and-nut clamping arrangements or by welded stud bosses, depending on the conveyor design.
What lubrication is required for engineering chains at high temperature?
Below 120 degrees C: standard chain lubricating oil applied by drip oiler or spray system is adequate. 120 to 250 degrees C: high-temperature mineral oil or synthetic PAO-based oil with anti-oxidant additives. 250 to 400 degrees C: graphite-based grease or dry-film molybdenum disulfide applied periodically by brush or spray. Above 400 degrees C: dry lubrication only; conventional oils carbonise immediately. Graphite suspension in a carrier fluid (which evaporates on contact with the hot chain) or ceramic-based dry-film lubricants are used. Above 600 degrees C: the chain must be able to run dry or with intermittent graphite film. Chain life under these conditions is typically measured in weeks rather than months, and planned replacement intervals should be established in the first year of operation at the actual operating temperature.
How do I measure wear on a WH series bucket elevator chain?
WH series chain wear is measured by pitch elongation, barrel wear, and inner width increase. For pitch elongation: measure the distance across 10 pitches under moderate tension and compare to the nominal dimension (10 x pitch). Replace when elongation exceeds 2% for precision bucket elevator applications or 3% for less critical installations. For barrel wear: measure the barrel outer diameter with calipers at the point of maximum contact with the trough or guide. When barrel diameter has worn by more than 10% of new nominal diameter, the barrel is near failure. Also inspect the connecting links - these are usually the first point of fatigue failure, particularly in systems with high start-up shock loads. The connecting link bolt holes should be inspected for elongation at each scheduled maintenance inspection.
What certifications do EP engineering chains carry?
EP engineering chains are manufactured in a facility certified to ISO 9001 quality management. Each batch of engineering chain is accompanied by a material test certificate confirming the alloy composition and mechanical properties (tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, Charpy impact at specified temperature, and Brinell hardness) for the heat from which the chain was produced. For mining applications, EP can supply chains with ATEX or equivalent certification for underground use where the chain may be required to carry a zone classification. For escalator chains, EN 115 type approval documentation is available. For Australian sugar mill applications, chains can be manufactured to the Australian Institute of Sugar Technology (AIST) specification on request. Provide the certification requirements at the time of quotation request.

What Our Customers Say

★★★★★

"We sent EP a sample of our clinker bucket elevator chain and received a dimensional drawing and quotation within 4 working days. The replacement WH132 chains matched our existing sprockets perfectly. After 26 months at 380 degrees C with monthly graphite lubrication, elongation is still below 1.5%. Previous chains from the OEM lasted 18 months before needing replacement."

M.A., Maintenance Manager
Egypt - Cement Plant, 3,000 tpd

★★★★★

"We fitted EP RL42x118 face conveyor chains to our longwall AFC. The DIN 22252 dimensions were verified before delivery and the master links functioned correctly on first installation. After two panel advances (approximately 650 metres of face advance), the chains showed 2.1% elongation and were replaced as planned. Chain quality was uniform across all 3 deliveries over the 18-month contract."

J.W., Underground Engineer
Poland - Coal Mine

★★★★★

"Our quarry crusher apron feeder was consuming cast link drag chains from the OEM at a rate of 2 replacements per year at very high cost. EP supplied P-series chains in 28% chrome iron casting for the outer links and manganese steel for the inner links. First replacement interval reached 22 months. The mixed metallurgy approach solved the simultaneous abrasion and impact problem that had defeated all-chrome-iron or all-manganese solutions."

F.B., Plant Manager
Australia - Granite Quarry

★★★★★

"Our glass bottle washing line uses chains that run through 68 degrees C caustic NaOH solution continuously. The previous hot-dip galvanised EP chains gave 3 years of service. We have now upgraded to stainless steel EP bottle washer chains and expect to reach 6 years before replacement. The stainless chains also meet our new food safety requirements without any additional certification steps."

P.K., Technical Manager
Netherlands - Beverage Bottling Plant

Request a Quotation for EP Engineering Chains

Provide the chain type (WH, round link, cast link, or specialty series), pitch and dimension reference, application and operating temperature, total chain length, and any attachment configuration. A sample chain for dimensional verification is welcome. Our engineers respond within 2 working days.

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