WHAT STEEL IS BEST FOR CHAIN SPROCKETS
WHY DO YOU NOT RUN A NEW SPROCKET ON AN OLD CHAIN?
If you install a new sprocket and run on the used chain, your pitch is going to be offset. Pitch is the distance from one pin to the next pin, and that distance needs to match both the sprocket and chain.
WHY DO YOU NOT RUN A NEW CHAIN ON A USED SPROCKET?
If you run a new chain on a used sprocket, the chain will not have full engagement with the sprocket teeth; and it will try to jump off the sprocket. The contact area for the teeth on a worn sprocket will have a different pitch length than on a new sprocket. The result is it will not seat the chain correctly.
Sometimes the worn sprocket will have a ‘hooking effect’ where the chain doesn’t release from the sprocket tooth, also causing the chain to jump off the sprocket. This will cause premature wear where the chain contacts the sprocket, with a greater potential for breaking your new chain.
Fig.1 Notice the dished appearance on the left tooth, resulting from where it has worn from contact with the chain. This is a long link chain sprocket with significant wear on the teeth.
Most sprockets are cut from steel, and the teeth surfaces are flame hardened to resist wear. This makes the surface harder than the rest of the tooth. You can compare the hardness to the colorful candy shell on a favorite candy, the M&M. The shell is very thin and protects the softer chocolate inside. Once you bite down on an M&M, the chocolate rapidly deforms. The same thing happens to your flame-hardened sprocket. With the sprocket constantly pulling the chain, there is significant metal-to-metal wear. It doesn’t take long for the flame-hardened surface of the sprocket teeth to become worn.
THERE IS A BETTER METHOD TO ACHIEVE A LONGER CHAIN AND SPROCKET LIFE.
Using JADCO QT-PLUS®, we flame cut the through-hardened wear-resistant steel; which slightly anneals (slightly softens) the surface of the tooth.
What happens as the chain and the sprocket become familiar with each other, the chain will ‘set’ onto the sprocket tooth. Think of when you lay your head on a pillow when you go to bed. Your head gets into a comfortable position; the same with the chain and sprocket.
With the initial ‘break-in’ as the chain and sprocket get used to working together, the chain is now contacting the through-hardened steel and the wear nearly stops.
The QT-PLUS® results in 3 to 4 times longer sprocket wear life than a standard sprocket.
Sprockets made from QT-PLUS® will deliver longer life with fewer chain breaks caused by the chain hooking onto the sprocket.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN BUYING A NEW CHAIN?
It’s simple. Order a new sprocket matched to your chain, and request your new sprockets be made from QT-PLUS®.
CONTACT US TODAY!
We are proud that our QT-PLUS® steel is Made In The USA, in our home state of Pennsylvania.
If you’re interested in learning more about chain sprockets and wear, allow us to help you by calling 724.452.5252, or by sending an email to info@jadcomfg.com today. We will schedule a meeting with one of our local wear plate specialists at a time that best fits your schedule requirements.
