Poly Steel Chains for Quiet Drive Solutions
Polysteel chains combine the strength of steel with the corrosion-resistant properties of plastic. They are particularly light, durable and ideal for applications with high hygiene requirements.
Spring clip conn.link poly-steel chain 25-1 ANSI, 1/4 " x 3/8", corrosion resistant, AISI304, DIN 8188
Spring clip conn.link poly-steel chain 08 B-1, 1/2 " x 5/16",corrosion resistant, AISI304, DIN 8187
Spring clip conn.link poly-steel chain 35-1 ANSI, 3/8 " x 3/16", corrosion resistant, DIN 8188
Poly-steel chain 08 B-1, 1/2" x 5/16", DIN 8187, lube-free, POM/ VA, pack 5 M.
Content: 5 metres (€35.59 / 1 metres)
Poly-steel chain 25-1 ANSI, 1/4" x 1/8", DIN 8188, lube-free, POM/ VA, pack 3,05 M.
Content: 3.05 metres (€53.39 / 1 metres)
Poly-steel chain 35-1 ANSI, 3/8" x 3/16", DIN 8188, lube-free, POM/ VA, pack 3,05 M.
Content: 3.05 metres (€48.76 / 1 metres)
Spring clip conn.link poly-steel chain 06 B-1, 3/8 " x 7/32", corrosion resistant, AISI304, DIN 8187
Poly-steel chain 60-1 ANSI, 3/4" x 1/2", DIN 8188, lub-free, POM/ VA, pack 3,05 M.
Content: 3.05 metres (€88.64 / 1 metres)
Spring clip conn.link poly-steel chain 10 B-1, 5/8 " x 3/8",corrosion resistant, AISI304, DIN 8187
Poly-steel chain 06 B-1, 3/8" x 7/32", DIN 8187, lube-free, POM/ VA, pack 5 m
Content: 5 metres (€36.28 / 1 metres)
Poly-steel chain 10 B-1, 5/8" x 3/8", DIN 8187, lube-free, POM/ VA, pack 5 M.
Content: 5 metres (€47.04 / 1 metres)
Poly-steel chain 12 B-1, 3/4" x 7/16", DIN 8187, lube-free, POM/ VA, pack 5 M.
Content: 5 metres (€63.79 / 1 metres)
Poly-steel chain 40-1 ANSI, 1/2" x 5/16", DIN 8188, lube-free, POM/ VA, pack 3,05 M.
Content: 3.05 metres (€49.75 / 1 metres)
Spring clip conn.link poly-steel chain 50-1 ANSI, 5/8 " x 3/8", corrosion resistant, DIN 8188
Spring clip conn.link poly-steel chain 12 B-1, 3/4 " x 7/16",corrosion resistant, AISI304, DIN 8187
Poly-steel chain 50-1 ANSI, 5/8" x 3/8", DIN 8188, lube-free, POM/ VA, pack 3,05 M.
Content: 3.05 metres (€66.56 / 1 metres)
Spring clip conn.link poly-steel chain 40-1 ANSI, 1/2 " x 5/16", corrosion resistant, DIN 8188
Spring clip conn.link poly-steel chain 60-1 ANSI, 3/4 " x 1/2", corrosion resistant, DIN 8188
TSUBAKI Poly-Steel Chains for Lube-Free Industrial Drives
TSUBAKI poly-steel chains are designed for industrial drive systems where low weight, quiet operation and operation without regular external lubrication are important. Also known as PC chains, they combine stainless steel components with inner links made from engineering plastic.
This hybrid construction makes poly-steel drive chains suitable for machinery where conventional chain lubricant could contaminate surrounding components, packaging materials or production areas. MOVET supplies TSUBAKI PC chains in European BS and American ANSI dimensions, together with compatible connecting links.
How a Poly-Steel PC Chain Is Constructed
The pins and outer link plates of a TSUBAKI PC chain are manufactured from SUS304 stainless steel. The spring clips are made from SUS301, while white engineering plastic is used for the inner links. The MOVET product range identifies this material combination as POM and stainless steel.
Unlike a conventional steel roller chain, the articulation between the stainless steel pins and plastic inner links does not require regular external relubrication under suitable operating conditions. The chain is therefore often described as a poly-steel chain, engineering plastic combination chain or lube-free PC chain.
Lightweight and Low-Noise Roller Chain Design
According to TSUBAKI, a PC chain is approximately 50% lighter than the corresponding standard BS or ANSI roller chain. The manufacturer also states that the operating noise level is around 5 dB lower than that of the comparable standard chain.
The reduced chain weight can be advantageous in compact machinery and drive systems with frequently accelerating components. Quieter operation makes poly-steel chains particularly relevant for packaging machinery, automation equipment and production areas where mechanical noise should be reduced.
BS and ANSI Poly-Steel Chains to DIN 8187 and DIN 8188
MOVET supplies TSUBAKI poly-steel chains in European BS dimensions according to DIN 8187 and American ANSI dimensions according to DIN 8188. The following overview shows the chain sizes currently available in the category:
| Dimensional standard | Available chain sizes | Available pitches |
|---|---|---|
| DIN 8187 / BS | 06 B-1, 08 B-1, 10 B-1 and 12 B-1 | 9.53 to 19.05 mm |
| DIN 8188 / ANSI | 25-1, 35-1, 40-1, 50-1 and 60-1 | 6.35 to 19.05 mm |
Available ANSI chain sizes include the compact ANSI 25 and ANSI 35 chain as well as ANSI 40, ANSI 50 and ANSI 60 poly-steel chains. Chains with a similar nominal pitch are not necessarily interchangeable across the two standards. The complete designation, inner width, bush diameter and sprocket dimensions must also correspond.
Plastic Roller Chain or Stainless Steel Roller Chain?
The term plastic roller chain is frequently used when searching for lightweight or lubrication-free chains. A TSUBAKI PC chain is not manufactured entirely from plastic, however. It is a hybrid industrial chain combining engineering plastic inner links with stainless steel pins and outer plates.
Compared with an all-stainless-steel roller chain, the poly-steel design provides lower weight and quieter operation but also has a different permissible load and temperature range. A conventional stainless steel chain may therefore be more suitable for higher loads, extreme temperatures or environments in which the chemical resistance of the engineering plastic is insufficient.
Poly-Steel Chains for Packaging and Food-Processing Machinery
Lube-free poly-steel chains can be used in machine areas where externally applied oil is undesirable. Typical applications include packaging machines, handling equipment, automated production systems and selected machinery in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The absence of regular external lubrication can support a cleaner machine environment, but it does not automatically confirm suitability for direct food contact or every hygienic application. Cleaning agents, chemical concentration, operating temperature, exposure time and the specific installation conditions must be checked for each application.
Selecting, Installing and Inspecting a PC Chain
Important selection criteria include the DIN or ANSI standard, chain pitch, inner width, permissible operating load, speed and installation temperature. TSUBAKI specifies a working temperature range from −20 to +80 °C for its standard BS and ANSI PC chains.
When replacing a steel or stainless steel roller chain with a poly-steel chain, the permissible load and chain tension must be checked again. Correct sprocket alignment, suitable chain tension and the condition of the sprocket teeth also influence service life. Lube-free does not mean inspection-free: the chain and connecting links should still be checked regularly for damage, elongation and secure assembly.
Select and Buy TSUBAKI Poly-Steel Chains
Use the product filters to select a poly-steel chain by DIN standard, chain designation, pitch, bush diameter and inner width. The category contains simplex PC chains as well as matching spring-clip connecting links for the available BS and ANSI chain sizes.
The selected connecting link must correspond exactly to the chain standard and size. Where the permissible load or temperature range of a PC chain is not sufficient, compare the application with corrosion-resistant roller chains or maintenance-free roller chains from TSUBAKI.