What is Chain Supply UK - CSUK?

BS & ANSI Roller Chains British Engineered Excellence Since 2005 UK manufacturer & supplier of British Standard (BS) and American Standard (ANSI) roller chains, shaft mounted gear units (SMGU/SMSR) & industrial drive solutions. Serving Mining, Food Processing, Agriculture & Manufacturing from Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

🇺🇸Fast international shipping to the USA. ANSI-standard chains in stock.

UK: +44 1709 878 282

Chain Failure Glossary

Failure mode

Stress Corrosion Cracking

Also known as SCC, environmentally assisted cracking

What stress corrosion cracking is

Stress corrosion cracking is cracking that needs both a susceptible material and a specific environment, with tensile stress to drive it. Chlorides attacking stressed austenitic stainless steel is the classic industrial case. The failure is sudden, with little visible corrosion beforehand.

Common causes

Chloride rich environments acting on stressed 304 or 316 stainless chain
Residual tensile stress from forming, welding or poor fitting practice
Ammonia, caustic or specific chemical exposure in process plant
Elevated temperature that accelerates the cracking mechanism

Warning signs

Brittle looking cracks with little or no surface corrosion
Multiple fine cracks on the same stressed plate
Failures at low load, often soon after a change of process chemical
Cracking that follows the direction of applied stress

Prevention and correction

Confirm the chemical environment and check the material compatibility before specifying
Use a duplex or more highly alloyed grade where chlorides are present
Relieve or avoid high residual stress in components and fittings
Keep cleaning chemicals on the supplier's approved list