Lubricant is the first thing that comes to mind when you start using industrial machinery as needed for unsurpassed performance in critical high-temperature applications. Molygraph has been developing lubricants using the most advanced chemistries available. If Molygraph isn’t a part of your equipment, you should consider it… Or rather use it. We all know that industrial chains suffer more from bad lubrication rather than workload. Regular maintenance and lubrication are preconditions for low wear and long service life of the chain drive. The maintenance and lubrication frequency, as well as the related re-lubrication, are determined by the operating conditions of the application. Sufficient and effective lubrication increases the length of life of the chains several times over. The selection of the correct lubricant and the appropriate method of lubrication guarantee reduction of wear, protection from corrosion and optional damping characteristics. Even though many of the low-speed chains run successfully, with little or no oil, routine lubrication on the production line greatly extends the service life of the equipment. Chain drives are required for the lubrication of the six main objectives: • Removal of any foreign material. • To prevent rust or damage. • Withstand the wear and tear of the pin • Dissipate the heat. • Shock-absorption.

1. Chain lubrication – Best Practices
For Drives and Conveyors
Lubricant is the first thing that comes to mind when you start using
industrial machinery as needed for unsurpassed performance in critical
high-temperature applications.
Molygraph has been developing lubricants using the most advanced
chemistries available.
If Molygraph isn’t a part of your equipment, you should consider it…
Or rather use it.
We all know that industrial chains suffer more from bad lubrication rather
than workload. Regular maintenance and lubrication are preconditions for
low wear and long service life of the chain drive. The maintenance and
lubrication frequency, as well as the related re-lubrication, are determined
by the operating conditions of the application.
Sufficient and effective lubrication increases the length of life of the chains
several times over. The selection of the correct lubricant and the
appropriate method of lubrication guarantee reduction of wear, protection
from corrosion and optional damping characteristics.

2. Even though many of the low-speed chains run successfully, with little or
no oil, routine lubrication on the production line greatly extends the
service life of the equipment. Chain drives are required for the lubrication
of the six main objectives:
• Removal of any foreign material.
• To prevent rust or damage.
• Withstand the wear and tear of the pin
• Dissipate the heat.
• Shock-absorption.
Keep in mind that…
Image
source: machinerylubrication.com
The viscosity of the lubricant has a major impact on its ability to flow to
the interior of the machinery. The grease applied to the outer surface of
the chain serves no purpose other than to protect the outer surface from
rust and corrosion, and should not be used to provide internal lubrication.
The elongation of the chain is the end result of wear and tear due to
friction among the pins. At some stage in normal visible inspections special
attention needs to be paid to chain elongation.
Controlled retensioning of the chains has a totally advantageous effect on
the chain lifestyles. Severe retensioning ought to be prevented.
How to lubricate chain drives and conveyors?

3. There are three basic strategies of lubrication for chain drives and
conveyors. Close adherence to these advocated styles of lubrication is
essential for a high performance of machinery.
In Circulating Lubrication, the lubricant is pumped onto the chain under
strain. The oil must be added to the upper edges of each row throughout
the decrease span of the chain just prior to the chain’s entry into one of
the sprockets.
In Drip Lubrication, lubrication is carried out manually with an oil can or
brush is suitable for sluggish pace drives. Lubrication ought to be
performed with a minimum amount of oil, it’s important to equip the
gadget with either pads or brushes that are fed through lubricant from a
reservoir and carefully positioned to direct oil into the clearances between
chains.
In Bath Lubrication, lubricant is implemented to the chain by permitting
the oil within an enclosed casing.
But, why do we need chain lubrication?
All chain drives ought to get hold of ordinary renovation. Each pressure
point needs to be inspected after a few hours of operation. The most
powerful chain, constructed to the very best fine standards, still can be
damaged in everyday service because of wear and tear, fatigue, or

4. overloads. Therefore, a chain drive ought to have adequate guarding to
save you from injury or surface damage.
If a roller chain breaks during the work while running at a velocity, the
chain may be thrown off the sprockets with vast pressure. The user must
either offer good enough guarding to incorporate a damaged chain. It must
prevent employees from coming into a place wherein a broken chain can
strike them.
Provisions for a brake that allows you to prevent and preserve the load in
the event of a chain accident should be included into the machinery’s
layout.
Is routine inspection and maintenance necessary?
Image source: rebs.de
Yes, it is.
At each inspection, the subsequent chains ought to be checked, the
condition should be corrected, or changed as necessary.
Test for binding whilst the chain engages or disengages from the sprocket.
Inspect the sprocket tooth for decreased tooth phase. You should replace
the sprockets with every third chain replacement.

5. Know the signs…
One of the first indicators that a chain isn’t receiving adequate lubrication
is that the outside areas across the joints will most probably have a
reddish/brown coloration. The coloration of the pins will typically be
darkish brown, even blue, if the chain has been going for walks with
inadequate lubrication.
Properly lubricated chains will not showcase the rusty shade at the joints.
On sluggish speed drives, be sure the lubrication schedule is being
observed and if the chain is covered with dust and debris, clean the chain
with a solvent and relubricate it.
It’s recommended to alternate the oil after the primary a hundred hours of
operation and every 500 hours.
Check for any build-up of particles or foreign material among the chain and
sprockets. An incredibly small amount of debris within the sprocket can
cause tensile loads exceptionally sufficient to interrupt the chain.
Confer with the set up segment and take a look at chain tension. If
elongation exceeds the available adjustment, eliminate pitches of chain
and reconnect. If the chain is worn excessively, update the complete chain.
Relubrication – Things to keep in mind.
Due to the oscillating actions of the chains, the initial lubricant is used up within the
course of time. A scarcity of lubricant or bad re-lubricants result in dry friction, which
leads to the formation of corrosion and increased load on the chain.
Re-lubricated chains and sprockets ought to be wiped clean to cast off
obstinate contamination and to allow the lubricant to penetrate through
the bottom of the plates. The surface of the chain can also be cleaned
using the best solvent.
Machine reliability is very crucial for high performance. Molygraph adds value to
your processes and can help you bring down costs.
Molygraph’s Stenol series of conveyor chain oils are able to meet the
demanding requirements of chain lubricants and prevent residue build-up
and offer effective lubrication with low evaporation at high temperatures.
They also increase the life of the chain.