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Thread: Can Cast Iron be used to make ISO Roller chain sprockets?

  1. #1
    Associate Engineer
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    India
    Posts
    3

    Can Cast Iron be used to make ISO Roller chain sprockets?

    I'm looking to manufacture roller chain sprockets from cast iron instead of mild steel.

    1. Is doing this technically beneficial?
    2. Will the life of sprocket be same as that obtained from mild steel?

    The main reasons for swithcing over to cast iron are my ease to access to cast iron and cost considerations.

    Regards,

  2. #2
    Lead Engineer RWOLFEJR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Rochester Pennsylvania
    Posts
    396
    Hi Muffi,
    Sprockets have been made from cast iron for ages. There are a lot of different "flavors" of iron out there and many will hold up longer than mild steel. Higher carbon steel might be a wash for durability but with the cost of more chain wear. The load on the system will be a factor in making your material selection as well.

    The cast iron graphite nodules act as a lubricant on the chain and reduces wear. To fully attain the benifits of the graphite nodules you should allow stock in your casting for machining of the sprocket teeth. This will expose more of the graphite than an "as cast" condition. You need to peel a little of the bark off to expose the graphite.

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