How Do Silent Chain Drives Compared To Roller Chain Drives?
Two-Pin Silent Chain Vs Roller Chain
The benefits of Ramsey Silent Chain are apparent when compared to roller chains:
- Higher speed and power capacity
- Reduced noise and vibration
- Higher efficiency (as high as 99%)
- Less velocity variation
- More uniform wear characteristics
- Longer sprocket life
- Less affected by chordal action
Two-pin silent chain links feature convex surface pins. As the chain engages the sprocket and moves from tooth to tooth, the convex pins roll upon each other. This rolling action eliminates sliding friction and galling, which are common in other types of chains, resulting in less wear and longer life for both the chain and the sprocket.
Additionally, the convex pin motion minimizes the effects of chordal action by slightly increasing the chain pitch and aligning the pitch point with the sprocket’s pitch circle. This ensures that the chain smoothly and efficiently engages the sprocket, nearly tangent to the pitch circle.
The resulting smoothness and lack of vibration create a quiet drive with higher load and speed capabilities. This leads to less variation in speed and increased efficiency—up to 99%.
In contrast, roller chains have a pin inside a bushing housed in a metal roller. As a roller chain engages the sprocket, the bushing rattles on the pin, creating noise and vibration. Silent chains do not use this design; instead, the pins are not enclosed in a bushing. This design choice is one of the reasons why silent chains are named so.
Contact us to discuss how silent chains can improve the performance and life of your power transmission drives.
