Industrial Roller Chain BS standard
Corsair SARL is a specialist provider of high-quality British Standard (BS) roller chains, serving engineers, maintenance teams, and procurement professionals across Switzerland. Manufactured to internationally recognised standards, these chains are essential for reliable power transmission in industrial drives and conveyor systems. This page assists in the technical selection and procurement of simplex, duplex, and triplex variants to ensure your machinery maintains peak operational efficiency.
Industrial Roller Chain BS standard
Corsair SARL is a specialist provider of high-quality British Standard (BS) roller chains, serving engineers, maintenance teams, and procurement professionals across Switzerland. Manufactured to internationally recognised standards, these chains are essential for reliable power transmission in industrial drives and conveyor systems. This page assists in the technical selection and procurement of simplex, duplex, and triplex variants to ensure your machinery maintains peak operational efficiency.
Industrial Roller Chain BS standard
Corsair SARL is a specialist provider of high-quality British Standard (BS) roller chains, serving engineers, maintenance teams, and procurement professionals across Switzerland. Manufactured to internationally recognised standards, these chains are essential for reliable power transmission in industrial drives and conveyor systems. This page assists in the technical selection and procurement of simplex, duplex, and triplex variants to ensure your machinery maintains peak operational efficiency.
Contents
Applications and use
British Standard roller chains are predominantly used in European machinery for power transmission and motion transfer. Applications include conveyor systems, agricultural machinery, and industrial drive units.
Interchangeability Warning: BS roller chains follow the ISO/R 606 (DIN 8187) standard and are not interchangeable with ASA (ANSI) roller chains. While the pitch may be identical, dimensions such as pin diameter and plate width differ significantly. Using the incorrect standard will lead to premature wear or drive failure.
Downloads (PDF)
Key specifications are also summarised on this page.
Choose Corsair
- Local Expertise: Specialist B2B supplier based in Switzerland.
- Significant Savings: B2B customers can save up to 21% off industry prices.
- Extensive Inventory: Access to 35,000+ items, including bearings and transmission products.
- Rapid Response: Same-day dispatch on stock items for urgent maintenance requirements.
- Certified Quality: Products manufactured to internationally recognised ISO and DIN standards.
Call for availability and a quote
Phone: +41 32 737 70 60
Email: sales@corsairsarl.ch
Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Quick selection: simplex vs duplex vs triplex
Simplex (–1)
- Best for: Standard single-strand power transmission drives.
- Why choose: The most common industrial format for simple drive-to-driven applications.
- Typical procurement inputs: ISO Reference (e.g., 08B-1), required length, and material.
Duplex (–2)
- Best for: High-load applications requiring a compact drive width.
- Why choose: Two strands of chain provide higher breaking loads than simplex variants without doubling the pitch.
- Typical procurement inputs: ISO Reference (e.g., 10B-2), quantity, and environment.
Triplex (–3)
- Best for: Heavy-duty industrial machinery and high-torque environments.
- Why choose: Three strands offer maximum power transfer and high safety factors for critical drives.
- Typical procurement inputs: ISO Reference (e.g., 16B-3), delivery date, and coating requirements.
Standards, naming, and interchangeability
In Europe, roller chains follow the ISO/R 606-1982 (DIN 8187) standard.
How to identify your chain
- Measure the Pitch (P): The distance between the centres of two pins.
- Measure the Roller Diameter (A): The external diameter of the roller.
- Measure the Inner Width (B): The distance between the inner plates.
- Identify the Suffix: -1 (Simplex), -2 (Duplex), or -3 (Triplex).
- Check for straight side plates: Marked with an asterisk (*) in technical tables.
Materials, coatings, and related options
Standard Steel
Best for general indoor industrial environments with standard lubrication regimes.
Stainless Steel (SS)
- Benefits: Excellent corrosion resistance and suitable for high-temperature ranges (–40°C to +400°C).
- Common Use: Food and beverage, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Note: Lower breaking loads compared to standard steel; check specifications before replacement.
Coated Variants
- Nickel-plated (NP): Provides improved corrosion resistance for humid environments.
- Zinc-plated (ZP): Industry-standard protection against oxidation.
- ZT (Zintek): An alu-zinc flake coating for ultimate corrosion resistance, exceeding 1,000 hours in salt spray tests.
Links, connectors, and accessories
We provide a full range of components for chain repair and assembly:
- CL: Connecting links (Kettenschlösser).
- OL: Single offset links (Einfach-Versatzglieder).
- DOL: Double offset links (Doppel-Versatzglieder).
View our ASA Roller Chain range for US-Standard machinery.
Specialist Donghua Adaptations for BS Chains
While standard ASA roller chains offer reliable transmission, specific industrial environments require enhanced mechanical properties to prevent premature failure. Corsair Sarl is a leading specialist in Donghue Specialist adapted BS chains technical adaptations designed for the following performance requirements:
- EXL Series (Performance): Engineered with solid bushes, solid rollers, and hardened, shot-peened plates to maximise fatigue resistance and durability over standard manufacturer chains.
- Zintek (ZT/ZT+) (Corrosion): Features an alu-zinc flake coating providing superior corrosion resistance (>1,000 hours salt spray) compared to standard zinc or nickel plating.
- Zintek+ (ZT+): Includes chemical nickel-plated pins with a surface hardness of ±1,000 HV for significantly increased wear and elongation resistance.
- The Dongue Stainless Steel 300 Series (SS 300 series). Provides a corrosion resistant chain that resists rust longer than other more durable chains.
- SS+ (400 Series): Utilises SS304 components with SS420 pins featuring a hard chromized coating (1,100 HV) for a 30% increase in wear resistance over standard stainless options.
- H-Series (Load): Heavy-duty variants including H, SP, HV, and UHSP designed for high vibration and additional load-bearing requirements.
- Leaf Chains: Specialised heavy load-bearing chains for use in forklifts and stacking machinery.
Contact Corsair SARL to confirm the specific Donghua adaptation required for your application’s tensile and environmental demands.
Technical specifications
Column Key
- P: Pitch
- A: Roller Diameter
- B: Inner Width
- C: Pin Diameter
- D/E: Pin Length (Max/Lc)
- F: Inner Plate Height
- g/G: Plate Thickness
- H: Transverse Pitch (for Duplex/Triplex)
Good practice and maintenance
For maximum service life, refer to manufacturer guidance for lubrication and tensioning. Ensure sprockets are correctly aligned and chains are not over-tensioned. For high-performance environments, consider the EXL Series for enhanced fatigue resistance.
FAQ
Are BS and ASA chains interchangeable?
No. They follow different standards (ISO/DIN vs ANSI). Using the wrong chain on a sprocket will cause drive failure. Share your reference and we will confirm the standard for you.
What does the asterisk (*) mean in the table?
An asterisk indicates straight side plates (Gerade Laschen). These are common on specific industrial drives and must be matched exactly.
Do you supply stainless steel BS chains?
Yes. We supply 304 and 316 grade stainless steel chains, ideal for food processing and corrosive environments.
How quickly can you deliver in Switzerland?
On stock items, we offer same-day dispatch. Contact us by phone or email to check current stock levels.
Can I get a custom length?
Yes. We supply chain in standard boxes or cut to your specific link count or metre requirement.
Call for availability and a quote
Phone: +41 32 737 70 60
Email: sales@corsairsarl.ch
Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Swiss stock
- Same-day dispatch on stock items
- B2B savings up to 21%
- ISO 606 & DIN 8187 compliant