Stainless Steel Sprockets European Standard | 304L & 316L DIN 8187 ISO R606

stainless-steel-sprocket-1

Simplex stainless steel sprockets to DIN 8187 / ISO R606 in AISI 304L (SUS304L). Chain sizes 06B through 16B, tooth counts Z=12 to Z=57. Stock bore. Corrosion-resistant for food processing, pharmaceutical, chemical plant and washdown environments.

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06B – 16B

Chain Size Range

304L Grade

AISI 304L / SUS304L

Z=12 – 57

Tooth Count Range

ISO 9001

Certified Quality

Stainless Steel Sprockets – Product Overview

Korea Ever-Power stainless steel sprockets are manufactured from AISI 304L (SUS304L) austenitic stainless steel to DIN 8187 / ISO R606 tooth profile — the same tooth geometry as the carbon steel range, ensuring full engagement with any compliant European standard roller chain. The 304L grade is the standard specification for food processing, pharmaceutical, beverage and general chemical environments where standard carbon steel would corrode and contaminate the product or process.

The key distinction between 304 and 304L is carbon content. Standard 304 contains up to 0.08% carbon; 304L is limited to 0.03% carbon maximum. The lower carbon content prevents sensitisation — the precipitation of chromium carbide at grain boundaries during welding or elevated temperature exposure — which in standard 304 creates chromium-depleted zones susceptible to intergranular corrosion. For sprockets that will be welded into fabricated frames or run at elevated temperatures, 304L is the correct specification rather than standard 304.

All sprockets in this range are supplied in stock bore (unfinished bore) as standard. The bore is supplied ready for machining to your shaft diameter, keyway and tolerance. For food processing applications where minimum machined surfaces are preferred, specify a finished bore with the bore diameter when ordering — machined finished bore in 304L stainless is available to order at the standard bore sizes listed in the specification table.

For environments with chloride exposure — marine spray, brine, bleach-based washdown cleaners or chemical duty with halide compounds — 316L stainless (SUS316L with 2–3% molybdenum) provides significantly better pitting and crevice corrosion resistance. 316L stainless steel sprockets are available on request — contact us with your specification. Pair either grade with matching stainless steel roller chain in SUS304 or SUS316 for a fully inert drive system with no ferrous metal in the chain contact path.

Korea Ever-Power stainless steel sprocket 304L SUS304 DIN 8187 ISO R606 food grade
Stainless steel roller chain SUS304 SUS316 DIN 8187 matched to stainless sprockets

304L or 316L — Which Grade Does Your Application Need?

The two most common stainless steel grades for sprockets serve different corrosion environments. Specifying the wrong grade is a common and costly mistake — 304L corrodes in chloride-containing environments that 316L resists without difficulty.

AISI 304L  /  SUS304L

18% Cr  ·  8% Ni  ·  ≤ 0.03% C

✔ Use for:

  • Food processing (dry and wet, non-halide)
  • Pharmaceutical and cleanroom conveyors
  • Beverage bottling and dairy plant
  • General chemical (non-chloride)
  • Freshwater and humidity environments
  • Washdown with detergent (non-bleach)

✖ Avoid for:

  • Seawater or salt spray exposure
  • Hypochlorite (bleach) washdown
  • Brine or pickling environments
  • Hydrochloric or hydrofluoric acid contact

AISI 316L  /  SUS316L  — on request

16% Cr  ·  10% Ni  ·  2% Mo  ·  ≤ 0.03% C

✔ Use for:

  • Marine and coastal environments
  • Hypochlorite (bleach) and chlorinated washdown
  • Salt and brine processing (fish, meat, dairy)
  • Swimming pool and water treatment plant
  • Chemical plant with halide compounds
  • Any application where 304L shows surface pitting

Molybdenum addition dramatically improves chloride pitting resistance — the key advantage over 304L.

Standard supply: AISI 304L (SUS304L) from stock. 316L available to order — contact us with chain size, tooth count and quantity. Mill test certificates (EN 10204 3.1) available for both grades on request.

Dimension key: Z = tooth count  |  de = tip diameter (mm)  |  dp = pitch circle diameter (mm)  |  dm = hub diameter max (mm)  |  D1 = stock bore max (mm)  |  A = hub width (mm)  |  Material: AISI 304L (SUS304L) stainless steel as standard

Stainless Steel Sprocket Specifications — 06B through 16B

All simplex (-1) configurations shown. Material: AISI 304L (SUS304L) stainless steel. DIN 8187 / ISO R606 tooth profile.

 

Chain Size Pitch (mm) Z (Teeth) de (mm) dp (mm) dm (mm) D1 max (mm) A (mm)
06B-1  |  Pitch 9.525 mm  |  Roller Ø 6.35 mm  |  Tooth width h1 5.3 mm
06B-1 9.525 12 — — 28 10 25
06B-1 9.525 13 43.0 39.79 28 10 25
06B-1 9.525 15 49.3 45.81 34 10 25
06B-1 9.525 17 55.3 51.83 40 10 28
06B-1 9.525 19 61.3 57.87 43 10 28
06B-1 9.525 25 80.0 76.00 57 12 30
08B-1  |  Pitch 12.70 mm  |  Roller Ø 8.51 mm  |  Tooth width h1 7.2 mm
08B-1 12.70 13 53.0 49.07 33 10 28
08B-1 12.70 17 65.9 61.09 45 10 28
08B-1 12.70 19 73.6 65.10 50 12 28
08B-1 12.70 25 105.8 101.33 70 14 28
08B-1 12.70 38 158.6 153.80 80 16 30
10B-1  |  Pitch 15.875 mm  |  Roller Ø 10.16 mm  |  Tooth width h1 9.1 mm
10B-1 15.875 13 73.0 66.32 47 12 30
10B-1 15.875 17 93.0 86.39 60 12 30
10B-1 15.875 19 103.3 96.45 75 14 30
10B-1 15.875 25 134.0 126.66 90 16 35
12B-1  |  Pitch 19.05 mm  |  Roller Ø 11.91 mm  |  Tooth width h1 11.1 mm
12B-1 19.05 13 87.5 79.59 58 16 35
12B-1 19.05 17 111.5 103.67 80 16 35
12B-1 19.05 25 165.0 152.0 90 20 40
16B-1  |  Pitch 25.40 mm  |  Roller Ø 15.88 mm  |  Tooth width h1 17.0 mm
16B-1 25.40 13 117.0 106.12 78 16 40
16B-1 25.40 17 149.0 138.22 100 19 45
16B-1 25.40 19 157.0 146.28 100 20 45
16B-1 25.40 25 — — 110 20 50

Full range covers Z=12 to Z=57 for 06B; Z=13 to Z=57 for 08B–16B. Intermediate tooth counts available. 316L stainless available to order in all sizes — contact us for pricing and lead time. Mill test certificates (EN 10204 3.1) available on request.

Chemical Resistance Quick Reference

Common environments encountered in industries using stainless steel sprockets — and the appropriate grade for each.

Environment / Medium 304L 316L Notes
Fresh water, humidity, condensation ✔ OK ✔ OK 304L is adequate for most humid food plant environments
Neutral detergent washdown ✔ OK ✔ OK Standard food plant cleaning with pH-neutral detergent
Hypochlorite (bleach) washdown ✖ Risk ✔ OK Chlorine ions cause pitting on 304L — use 316L in bleach-washdown plants
Salt / brine (fish, meat, dairy) ✖ Avoid ✔ OK 316L molybdenum content provides essential chloride resistance
Food acids (acetic, citric, lactic) ✔ OK ✔ OK Dilute organic acids at ambient temperature — both grades suitable
Pharmaceutical CIP (citric acid) ✔ OK ✔ OK Standard CIP with citric acid — 304L adequate
Marine / coastal salt air ✖ Avoid ✔ OK Salt spray causes pitting on 304L within weeks — 316L required
Dilute sulphuric acid (<10%, ambient) ⚠ Caution ⚠ Caution Corrosion rate depends heavily on temperature and concentration — consult engineer


Korea Ever-Power stainless steel sprocket dimensional inspection and quality verification

Technical Features

Same Tooth Profile as Carbon Steel Range

The tooth profile is machined to DIN 8187 / ISO R606 dimensions — identical to the carbon steel sprocket range. This means a like-for-like swap from a carbon steel to a stainless steel sprocket requires no chain adjustments, no centre distance changes and no new chain. The same chain pitch, roller diameter and strand width that the carbon steel sprocket ran will run correctly on the stainless replacement.

304L — Low Carbon for Weldability

The 304L designation (≤0.03% C) is specified for sprockets that will be welded into fabricated conveyor frames, bracket assemblies or food plant structures. Low carbon prevents chromium carbide precipitation at weld heat-affected zones, which would otherwise create areas susceptible to intergranular corrosion adjacent to the weld. Standard 304 should not be welded in corrosive service without post-weld heat treatment — 304L avoids this requirement.

No Surface Treatment — Passivation Only

Stainless steel sprockets require no external coating, plating or painting. The chromium oxide passive film on the surface is self-repairing in clean air and most non-halide environments. Machining the tooth profile breaks the passive film at the cut surfaces — sprockets are passivated after machining with a citric acid or nitric acid treatment to restore the passive layer uniformly across all surfaces. No coating to chip, flake or contaminate food or pharmaceutical product.

Lower Hardness — Matched Chain Required

AISI 304L has a maximum hardness of approximately 200 HB (as-machined, no heat treatment). This is significantly softer than the 52–58 HRC induction-hardened tooth flanks of the carbon steel range. As a result, stainless sprockets will wear faster than carbon steel equivalents under the same load and speed. To achieve the longest possible service life, run stainless sprockets with stainless steel roller chain in SUS304 or SUS316 — hardened carbon steel chain running on soft stainless sprockets accelerates tooth wear significantly.

Hygienic Design — No Crevices or Pockets

The standard tooth profile with DIN 8187 tooth spaces provides a smooth, accessible surface between teeth that drains and dries without product accumulation. The sprocket hub bore, once machined, is smooth-bored without trapped radii or internal shoulders that would create undrainable pockets. For applications requiring enhanced hygienic design — full traceability documentation, surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.8 µm on food-contact surfaces — contact us for a hygienic design specification quotation.

Mill Certificates on Request

For regulated industries — food, pharmaceutical, medical device, nuclear — material traceability certificates (EN 10204 Type 3.1) confirming the stainless grade, heat/lot number, chemical composition and mechanical properties can be provided on request at time of order. Specify "3.1 cert required" on your purchase order or enquiry. Certificates are linked to the production batch and retained for audit purposes. Dimensional inspection reports are also available for OEM production orders.

Applications

Food Processing & Packaging

The primary application for 304L stainless sprockets. Meat processing, bakery, confectionery, bottling and canning conveyors — anywhere the chain and sprocket are in the food zone or subject to regular washdown. 304L is the standard material specification for food plant conveyor drives in most European food safety frameworks. For fish, meat brine and bleach-washdown applications, 316L is required. See our full sprocket range for other food-compatible options.

Pharmaceutical & Cleanroom

GMP-regulated environments require no particle generation from corroding metal surfaces. Stainless steel sprockets with citric acid passivation satisfy FDA 21 CFR and EU GMP requirements for non-product-contact machine components in classified cleanrooms and pharmaceutical manufacturing areas. No coating to chip or flake into product. CIP and SIP compatible at temperatures below 150°C.

Chemical & Water Treatment Plant

Conveyor drives in chemical mixing plant, water treatment, wastewater screening and dosing systems where the chain drive is exposed to chemical spray or aggressive atmosphere. 304L for general chemical environments; 316L where chlorine dosing or halide chemicals are present. Contact us with your specific process medium for a grade recommendation.

Matching Chain & Related Products

Stainless steel roller chain SUS304 SUS316 DIN 8187 for stainless sprockets food pharma

Matching Stainless Steel Chain

For a fully inert drive system with no ferrous metal in the chain contact path, pair stainless sprockets with stainless steel roller chain in SUS304 or SUS316L to DIN 8187 / ISO R606. Also available: self-lubricating stainless chain for food zones where re-greasing is not permitted.

View Stainless Chain Range →


Carbon steel European sprockets DIN 8187 stock bore

Carbon Steel – European Standard

C45 with hardened tooth flanks. 03B–24B, simplex to triplex. For dry, non-corrosive drives where maximum tooth life is the priority.

 


Finished bore European sprockets pre-bored keyway DIN 8187

Finished Bore – European Standard

Pre-bored to H7 tolerance with keyway and setscrew. 06B–20B, bore 10–100 mm. Available in 304L stainless on request.

 

Korea Ever-Power driving chains A and B series

Driving Chains

A and B series European standard roller chains. Pitch 9.525–38.1 mm, simplex to triplex. Standard and heavy-duty variants.

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Korea Ever-Power engineering chains heavy industry

Engineering Chains

Welded steel, cast and forged chains for cement, steel, mining and chemical plant heavy conveying applications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a standard carbon steel roller chain on a stainless steel sprocket?
Mechanically yes — the tooth profile is the same DIN 8187 geometry, so the chain will engage correctly. However, running a hardened carbon steel chain (pin and roller typically 58–62 HRC) on a soft stainless sprocket (approximately 200 HB / ~20 HRC) causes very rapid tooth wear on the sprocket. The hard steel chain abrades the soft stainless tooth flanks much faster than stainless chain would. For maximum sprocket life in food or corrosive applications, use matched stainless chain — SUS304 or SUS316 to DIN 8187 — on stainless sprockets. Where the chain must be carbon steel (for example, existing chain in service), accept that the stainless sprocket will wear faster than a carbon steel equivalent and plan for more frequent sprocket replacement.
Why is my 304L stainless sprocket showing rust spots after 6 months in service?
Several common causes: (1) The environment contains chlorides — bleach washdown, brine or salt spray — which cause pitting corrosion on 304L. Upgrade to 316L. (2) The sprocket is in contact with carbon steel components (shaft, frame, chain) that corrode and deposit rust particles on the stainless surface — this is "tea staining" from iron contamination, not corrosion of the stainless itself. Clean with oxalic acid or passivate with citric acid to restore the surface. (3) The passive film was damaged during installation and has not re-formed — this occurs in sealed, low-oxygen environments. Allow the sprocket to be exposed to clean air before fitting into a sealed housing. If the environment contains chlorides, the 304L grade is not appropriate regardless of the cause — replace with 316L.
What is the maximum operating temperature for 304L stainless sprockets?
304L stainless retains its corrosion resistance up to approximately 870°C in continuous service and 925°C in intermittent service — far above any normal chain drive operating temperature. For chain drive applications, the practical limit is set by the chain lubricant rather than the sprocket material. Most food-grade lubricants degrade above 120–150°C, and standard chain lubricants above 200°C. The sprocket itself is suitable for steam sterilisation (SIP) at 134°C and CIP cycles at up to 90°C without any dimensional or material degradation.
Is 304L stainless magnetic?
In the annealed (as-supplied) condition, 304L is austenitic and essentially non-magnetic — it will not be attracted to a magnet and will not trigger magnetic metal detection equipment set up for ferrous or high-magnetic-permeability materials. This is important for food lines using magnetic metal detectors: 304L stainless components pass through without triggering a ferrous alarm. Note that cold working during machining of the bore and keyway can induce a small amount of martensite (a magnetic phase) at the cut surface — the bulk of the sprocket remains non-magnetic. 316L is similarly non-magnetic. Both grades are compatible with X-ray inspection systems.
Can I get 316L stainless sprockets? What is the lead time?
Yes. 316L stainless steel sprockets are available in all chain sizes and tooth counts in the range — they are manufactured to order from 316L bar stock. Lead time is typically 15–20 working days from confirmed order, minimum order 2 pieces per size. Mill test certificates (EN 10204 3.1) are available for both 304L and 316L as standard with any stainless order at no additional charge. Specify "316L" when enquiring or ordering. Pricing is approximately 20–35% above 304L depending on size, due to the molybdenum alloy premium in 316L raw material.

What Our Customers Say

★★★★★

"We run four meat processing lines with daily bleach washdown. We switched to Korea Ever-Power 316L sprockets two years ago after repeated pitting failures on 304L from other suppliers. Zero corrosion issues since the change. The 316L grade combined with matched SUS316 chain has completely solved our corrosion problem."

P.H., Engineering Manager
Denmark – Meat Processing

★★★★★

"We specify 304L stainless sprockets from Korea Ever-Power for all our pharmaceutical conveyor builds. We received EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates with the first order and they have been consistent on every subsequent delivery. Our validation team accepts the documentation without additional testing."

S.M., Project Engineer
Germany – Pharmaceutical Machinery OEM

★★★★★

"Our bottling line uses 08B-1 stainless sprockets in the wet zone. The Korea Ever-Power 304L sprockets have now been running for 18 months with no surface deterioration despite daily acid CIP and steam cleaning. Previous supplier's sprockets were showing surface staining at 6 months. The quality difference is noticeable."

A.R., Maintenance Engineer
Netherlands – Beverage Bottling

Request a Quote for Stainless Steel Sprockets

Specify the chain size (e.g. 08B-1), tooth count, required grade (304L standard, 316L on request), and bore diameter. Quantities from 1 piece. EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates available. Response within one working day.

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