Chains are a series of connected links or rings that are usually made of metal and can be connected or snapped together. Each piece of chain can have more than one link depending on your application. Some uses of chains can be to fasten, tie or hold objects. The two most common styles of making chains are roller chains and torus chains. The style of the chain depends on the application of the chain. Torus chains are very common in many applications. They can be used for hoisting, belaying or bracing and are very simply shaped as rings that connect to each other. This simple design gives these chains flexibility in two dimensions. Their simple design and flexibility allow them to be used for many tasks, such as securing a bicycle.
Roller chains are very common on bicycles. They are designed to transfer power in machines. Taking bicycle chains for example, they are designed to mesh with the teeth of the machine’s sprockets. Flexibility in these chains is also limited as they can only move in one direction. Some common applications for chains can be as key rings, snow chains, and bike chains.
As stated earlier in this article, bicycle chains are roller chains. They transfer the power from the pedals to the drive wheel which, in turn, propels the bike forward. These chains are typically made of plain carbon or alloy steel; however, some may be nickel plated to prevent oxidation. These chains are also considered very energy efficient. Although many people might expect efficiency to be greatly affected by lubricant, a study conducted in a clean lab revealed that instead of lubricants, a larger sprocket would provide a more efficient drivetrain. Also, the higher the tension in the chain, the more efficient it will be.
A keychain, as its name suggests, is a chain that can be attached to the key. They can be made of metal or plastic and connect to a key ring at one end and an item can be attached to the other end. The length of the chain that connects the item to the key ring determines how easy the key ring is to use. Key rings are often used by people who need to carry a lot of keys or whose job requires the frequent use of keys.
Snow chains are used to attach to vehicle tires to provide traction when driving on snow. These chains only need to be attached to the drive wheels of a vehicle. They provide more stability when driving in the snow and prevent accidents. However, if they are not cared for properly, they can wear out easily. When using these chains, one must ensure that the maximum speed limit of his vehicle is 50 km/h.
The uses of chains are limitless. Some people may have their own creative ideas on how they can use them. The invention of chains has definitely brought development in many areas.