Driving Chains

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Korea Ever-Power driving chains cover the complete short pitch precision roller chain range used in general power transmission – from light-duty single-strand simplex chains in hobby and light industrial equipment, through heavy-duty triplex chains in paper mills, mining conveyors, and press lines. Every chain in this range is manufactured on cold-forming production lines with integrated heat treatment and fatigue testing, then assembled under controlled room conditions before packaging. Short pitch precision roller drive chains for power transmission. A and B series, simplex to triplex, pitch 9.525 mm to 76.2 mm. Manufactured to ISO 606 and ANSI B29.1 on precision cold-forming lines.

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12,000+

Product Varieties

50+

Export Countries

30+

Years Manufacturing

ISO 9001

Certified Quality

Short Pitch Precision Roller Chain - Product Overview

The driving chains range divides into two geometry families. A series chains follow the ANSI B29.1 dimensional standard, dominant in North American OEM equipment and widely specified in Korean, Japanese, and Southeast Asian markets. B series chains follow the ISO 606 / DIN 8187 standard, standard across European OEMs and European-influenced markets worldwide. Both series are interchangeable only within their own standard - the roller diameters, inner widths, and plate thicknesses differ, and mixing A and B series components on the same drive is not recommended.

Beyond the standard simplex (single-strand) format, the Korea Ever-Power EP driving chain range includes duplex (two-strand) and triplex (three-strand) versions for higher power ratings in compact centres, heavy series variants with thicker plates for shock and impact loads, and attachment chains with various K1/K2/A1/A2 bent link plates for conveyor integration. Custom attachment patterns and non-standard pitches are produced to drawing on request.

Korea Ever-Power driving chain A and B series short pitch roller chain product

Roller Chain Component Anatomy

roller chain component parts outer plate inner plate roller bush pin

A roller chain consists of alternating inner and outer link assemblies. Each inner link comprises two inner plates pressed onto a hardened bush; two rollers sit freely on the bushes and make rolling contact with the sprocket teeth, distributing load across the tooth flank and dramatically reducing wear compared to a sliding-contact chain. Outer links consist of two outer plates pressed onto connecting pins that pass through the bush bores of the adjacent inner links.

Outer Plate

Stamped and hardened alloy steel; carries tensile load

Inner Plate

Press-fitted to bush; forms articulation joint

Bush

Case-hardened; bearing surface for pin and roller

Roller

Hardened; rolls on bush, contacts sprocket tooth

Pin

Through-hardened alloy steel; primary shear member

Cotter Pin

Connecting link fastener; open spring clip or peened

A Series Driving Chain Specifications - EP-08A to EP-48A

Standard: ANSI B29.1 / ISO 606. All dimensions in mm unless noted. Tensile strength is minimum breaking load per chain strand. Weight per metre is approximate for single-strand simplex chain.

EP Model ANSI No. Pitch (mm) Roller Width (mm) Roller Dia. (mm) Pin Dia. (mm) Min. Tensile (kN) Wt. (kg/m)
EP-08A 40 12.700 7.92 7.92 3.96 14.1 0.69
EP-10A 50 15.875 9.53 10.16 5.08 22.2 1.02
EP-12A 60 19.050 12.70 11.91 5.94 31.1 1.50
EP-16A 80 25.400 15.88 15.88 7.92 55.6 2.58
EP-20A 100 31.750 19.05 19.05 9.53 86.7 3.80
EP-24A 120 38.100 25.40 22.23 11.10 124.6 5.62
EP-28A 140 44.450 25.40 25.40 12.70 170.0 7.50
EP-32A 160 50.800 31.75 28.58 14.27 222.5 10.10
EP-40A 200 63.500 38.10 36.45 19.05 347.0 16.10
EP-48A 240 76.200 47.63 44.45 23.81 500.0 22.90

B Series Driving Chain Specifications - EP-05B to EP-40B

Standard: ISO 606 / DIN 8187. All dimensions in mm. B series chains are not interchangeable with A series on the same sprocket. Verify your sprocket tooth profile before ordering.

drive-chain-dimension-1

EP Model ISO No. Pitch (mm) Roller Width (mm) Roller Dia. (mm) Pin Dia. (mm) Min. Tensile (kN) Wt. (kg/m)
EP-05B 05B-1 8.000 3.00 5.00 2.31 4.4 0.18
EP-06B 06B-1 9.525 5.72 6.35 3.28 8.9 0.41
EP-08B 08B-1 12.700 7.75 8.51 4.45 18.0 0.70
EP-10B 10B-1 15.875 9.65 10.16 5.08 22.2 0.93
EP-12B 12B-1 19.050 11.68 12.07 5.72 28.9 1.15
EP-16B 16B-1 25.400 17.02 15.88 8.28 60.0 2.71
EP-20B 20B-1 31.750 19.56 19.05 10.19 95.0 3.65
EP-24B 24B-1 38.100 25.40 25.40 14.63 160.0 7.10
EP-28B 28B-1 44.450 30.99 27.94 15.90 200.0 9.97
EP-32B 32B-1 50.800 30.99 29.21 17.81 250.0 10.25
EP-40B 40B-1 63.500 38.10 39.37 22.89 400.0 16.35

A Series vs B Series - Which Chain Do You Need?

Criterion A Series (ANSI B29.1) B Series (ISO 606 / DIN 8187)
Governing standard ANSI B29.1 (USA origin) ISO 606 / DIN 8187 / BS 228 (Europe origin)
Chain number system Two digits (40, 50, 60, 80, 100...) Two digits + B (06B, 08B, 10B, 12B...)
Roller width vs pitch Narrower inner width relative to pitch Wider inner width; higher torque per pitch
Plate thickness Thinner link plates at same pitch Thicker link plates; higher fatigue strength
Connecting link type Spring clip (cotter pin on heavy series) Spring clip or cotter pin depending on size
Primary markets USA, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Taiwan Europe, UK, Australia, Middle East, India
Sprocket tooth profile ANSI B29.1 tooth form only ISO 606 tooth form only
Weight at same pitch Slightly lighter per metre Slightly heavier; wider inner width

Six Manufacturing Advantages of Korea Ever-Power Driving Chains

Cold-Forming Precision

Plates, bushes, pins, and rollers are cold-formed to net shape, achieving dimensional tolerances within ISO Grade 6 without secondary grinding on standard parts. Pitch deviation is held to within 0.05 mm per 300 mm on standard chains.

Carburising and Induction Hardening

Bushes and rollers are carburised to HRC 58-62 case with a tough core. Pins undergo through-hardening to HRC 50-55. The hardness gradient maximises fatigue life at the bush-pin interface where wear initiates.

Pre-Loaded Assembly

All chains are pre-loaded to one third of minimum breaking load during assembly. This seats the pin-bush clearance and eliminates initial elongation in the first hours of operation, reducing run-in wear from day one.

Oil-Impregnated Joints

Each chain is run through an oil bath after assembly. The capillary action of the pin-bush clearance draws lubricant into the joint gap, ensuring lubrication is present at the articulation surface from the moment the chain enters service.

Material Traceability

Each production batch carries a steel mill certificate and a hardness test record. Export orders include a material conformance report. Batch records are retained for five years after shipment for warranty and audit purposes.

Full-Length Fatigue Test

Sample chains from each lot are tested on a cyclic fatigue machine at 60% of rated tensile strength to 1 million cycles. Any lot showing premature fatigue fracture triggers a full hold and inspection before shipment.

Where Korea Ever-Power Driving Chains Are Used

General Industrial Machinery

EP-12A and EP-16A simplex chains are the workhorse of general machine drive shafts, driving everything from pump stations and blower fans to compressor drives and mixer agitators. The 19.05 mm and 25.4 mm pitch sizes cover the power range 1 kW to 30 kW at shaft speeds up to 1,500 rpm on standard simplex chains.

Agricultural Equipment

EP-10A and EP-12A chains drive thresher cylinders, header reels, auger conveyors, and PTO gearbox transfer shafts in combine harvesters and balers. The wide range of K1 and A1 attachment variants allows direct conversion of flat-belt drives to chain drives on older equipment.

Printing and Packaging Lines

Precision B series chains from EP-06B through EP-16B are used in web-fed printing presses, folding machines, and label applicators where consistent chain elongation directly affects register accuracy. The oil-impregnated joints reduce lubricant contamination of print media.

Mining and Heavy Industry

EP-32A to EP-48A heavy-series triplex chains power belt conveyor transfer drives, crusher drives, and screening plant elevators in mineral processing. These chains carry combined tensile loads exceeding 600 kN in three-strand configuration, covering head-shaft drives where space prevents a parallel shaft gearbox.

Food and Beverage Processing

Food-zone applications use nickel-plated or lightly lubricated EP-08B and EP-10B chains on conveying and filling equipment. For direct contact zones, see our stainless steel chains range with SUS304 and SUS316L options.

Motorcycle and ATV Drives

EP-08A and EP-10A O-ring sealed chains are used in motorcycle secondary drives where the chain must retain grease lubrication over long service intervals. Sealed versions are produced on request with pre-filled O-rings at each inner link joint.

Driving Chain Selection Guide

The steps below walk through a basic chain drive selection. For complex drives with shock loading, speed variation, or temperature extremes, send your duty cycle data to our engineering team for a full rating calculation.

01

Determine Power and Speed

Note shaft power in kW and driver shaft speed in rpm. Multiply by a service factor (1.0 to 2.0 depending on load type) to get the design power for chain selection.

02

Choose Pitch and Number of Strands

Use the power rating tables to find a pitch that keeps the driver sprocket above 19 teeth and below 2,000 rpm at the chain. If one strand is overloaded, specify duplex or triplex rather than a larger pitch.

03

Set Centre Distance and Chain Length

Aim for a centre distance of 30 to 50 times the pitch. Calculate the number of links required and round to an even number to avoid an offset link. Allow 1% to 2% sag on the slack strand for correct tensioning.

04

Choose Lubrication Method

Manual drip oil is adequate below 200 rpm. Bath or disc lubrication suits 200 to 1,500 rpm. Spray or forced-circulation lubrication is required above 1,500 rpm. ISO VG 68 to 150 gear oil is typical for ambient temperatures 0 to 60 degrees C.

Manufacturing Facility and Quality Control

Korea Ever-Power driving chain manufacturing workshop

Korea Ever-Power operates an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system covering incoming steel inspection through final fatigue testing. Our production base covers 347,000 square metres with over 3,000 employees including more than 450 engineering specialists. Every batch of EP driving chains ships with a material certificate, heat treatment record, and dimensional inspection summary. For critical applications, CMM-verified pitch deviation reports and third-party inspection by SGS or BV can be arranged at the quotation stage.

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. 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 leaf chains for forklifts and hoists

Leaf Chains

BL and LH series leaf chains for forklift masts, industrial door drives, and hoist mechanisms. Tensile ratings from 11 kN to over 1,600 kN.

View Leaf Chains

Korea Ever-Power engineering chains for heavy conveying

Engineering Chains

Welded steel, cast iron, and forged chains for heavy-duty industrial conveying in steel mills, cement plants, mining, and chemical processing.

View Engineering Chains

Korea Ever-Power stainless steel roller chain

Stainless Steel Chains

SUS304 and SUS316L roller chains for food, pharmaceutical, and chemical environments. Suitable for washdown, elevated temperature, and corrosive media.

View SS Chains

agricultural-chain-1

Agricultural Chains

CA, CC, and corn-chain series for combine harvesters, cotton pickers, balers, and spreading equipment. ISO 487 / ASME B29.100 standard.

View Agricultural Chains

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an A series chain on a B series sprocket?
No. While the pitch of certain A and B series chains is identical - EP-08A and EP-08B both have a 12.70 mm pitch - the roller diameter, inner width, and pin diameter are different. More critically, the sprocket tooth form is different: ANSI B29.1 sprockets use a different flank geometry from ISO 606 sprockets. Mixing them results in incorrect tooth-to-roller seating, rapid wear of both parts, and possible tooth jump under load. Always match the chain series (A or B) to the sprocket series.
What does the heavy series H designation mean?
Heavy series chains (EP-08AH, EP-10AH, EP-12AH, EP-16AH, etc.) have thicker link plates than the standard series at the same pitch. The roller diameter and pin diameter remain the same as the standard version, meaning heavy series chains fit the same sprockets. The thicker plates increase fatigue strength and impact resistance - useful in presses, woodworking machines, and crushers where peak loads significantly exceed the average running load. Heavy series chains weigh approximately 15 to 25% more per metre than standard chains at the same pitch.
When should I use a duplex or triplex chain instead of a larger pitch?
A multi-strand chain is preferred over a larger pitch when shaft centre distance is constrained (a larger pitch requires a larger sprocket, increasing the centre distance needed for the required ratio), when speed is high (smaller pitch runs quieter at the same sprocket speed), or when the drive already uses a given sprocket size. As a rule of thumb, a duplex chain carries approximately 1.7 times the load of a simplex chain at the same pitch, and a triplex chain approximately 2.5 times - the reduction from simple multiplication accounts for unequal load sharing across strands.
How do I know when a roller chain needs replacing?
The primary wear indicator is chain elongation. A roller chain that has worn by 2% in length (measured over 12 links at the correct tension) should be replaced before the elongated pitch causes the rollers to ride up the sprocket teeth flanks and accelerate sprocket wear. For a 25.4 mm pitch chain, 12 links at nominal are 304.8 mm. At 2% wear, replace when the measurement exceeds 310.9 mm. Visible corrosion on the side plates, stiff or seized joints, or any cracked plate are grounds for immediate replacement regardless of elongation.
What is the correct lubricant for a roller chain drive?
For enclosed bath or disc lubrication, ISO VG 68 to VG 150 mineral gear oil with rust and oxidation inhibitors is the standard choice for ambient temperatures between 0 and 60 degrees C. For drip lubrication on open drives at low speeds, a heavier spindle oil applied at the chain joint is effective. Avoid grease on roller chains - it does not penetrate the pin-bush clearance where most wear occurs and tends to attract abrasive debris. For food-zone applications, NSF H1 registered white mineral oils are available. In dusty or wet environments, an adhesive open-gear lubricant that resists fling-off and water washout is preferred.
Do you supply matched sprockets with the driving chains?
Yes. Korea Ever-Power can supply matched chain and sprocket sets to your tooth count and bore specification. Sprockets are available in C45 carbon steel, 42CrMo alloy steel, and cast iron, with taper-lock, QD bushing, or plain bore formats. When ordering a matched set, the sprockets are roll-tested against the chain sample before shipment to verify correct tooth seating and backlash. Please specify the required tooth count, pitch circle diameter or ratio, bore size and keyway, and hub length when enquiring.
What minimum order quantity applies to EP driving chains?
Standard A and B series chains in common sizes (EP-08A through EP-32A and EP-06B through EP-32B) are held in stock in rolls of 3 metres, 5 metres, and 30-metre reels, with no minimum order for stock lines. For heavy series, duplex, triplex, and attachment chain variants, minimum orders are typically 30 metres per specification with a lead time of 3 to 5 working days for standard sizes and 2 to 4 weeks for non-standard items produced to drawing. Contact our sales team for a firm quotation and current lead time.

What Our Customers Say

★★★★★

"We replaced our previous EP-16A supply with Korea Ever-Power chains across 24 packing machines. After 14 months, elongation measurements are consistently below 1.2% - well within our 2% replacement threshold. The pre-oiled joints made installation noticeably cleaner."

R.H., Maintenance Engineer
Germany - Food Packaging Plant

★★★★★

"Our combine harvester fleet runs EP-12A and EP-CA550 chains from the same supplier, which simplifies procurement. Batch-to-batch dimensional consistency has been very high - no fitment issues across two seasons and over 4,000 hours of field operation."

J.K., Fleet Manager
Australia - Agricultural Contracting

★★★★★

"We specified EP-32A triplex chains on our 90 kW conveyor head drive after running into stock issues with our previous supplier. The Korea Ever-Power material certificates satisfied our QA team on the first review and the chains have performed without issue for 11 months."

M.T., Procurement Manager
South Korea - Mineral Processing Plant

★★★★★

"The EP-16B chains we tested on our flexo printing press ran with noticeably less noise than our previous supply at the same lubrication rate. Register accuracy on long runs improved by approximately 0.15 mm, which was significant for our four-colour label work. We have since converted all 6 presses."

L.V., Technical Director
Netherlands - Label Printing

Request a Quotation for EP Driving Chains

Send us your chain model, quantity, delivery location, and any custom requirements. Our sales engineers respond within one business day with pricing and current stock availability.

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