Industrial equipment supplier BMG has expanded its power transmission portfolio with the introduction of the new Fenner Zintek Plus roller chain and O-ring roller chain, designed for dependable use in aggressive, high-wear and high-contamination environments, such as sugar mills and refineries.

These durable corrosion-resistant transmission chains have been developed by Fenner as a long-life alternative to conventional chains that experience premature failure owing to corrosion and abrasive wear.

“The new Fenner Zintek Plus chain is engineered to prevent premature failures in crushers and conveyors in sugar production, where conventional carbon steel, zinc-plated or nickel-plated chains do not deliver acceptable service life,” says BMG Power Transmission division business unit manager Carlo Beukes.

“Corrosion and abrasive wear are primary causes of premature chain failure in dusty, high-humidity installations. Important benefits of this new roller chain include extended service intervals, reduced unplanned downtime and improved maintenance planning.”

He adds that the durable chain combines two complementary protective technologies to enhance durability under load.

“All plates, rollers and components are treated with a high-performance zinc-aluminium coating that provides extended resistance to red rust in wet, humid, chemical and outdoor environments,” he says.

Further, the coating also offers strong adhesion characteristics, reducing the risk of flaking or peeling under mechanical stress, while eliminating hydrogen embrittlement to maintain full mechanical strength. The treatment is free from harmful heavy metals, to ensure environmentally responsible protection.

“In addition to surface protection on the chain body, the Fenner Zintek Plus range incorporates chemically nickel-plated, hardened pins with a surface hardness of [about] 67 HRC to 68 HRC. This compares with conventional chain pins and rollers typically rated between 58 HRC and 62 HRC.”

The higher hardness level improves wear resistance on critical load-bearing components, reduces elongation over time and extends operational life in abrasive and high-cycle applications. The enhanced corrosion protection at the pin interface further supports reliability in sugar production, where moisture and contaminants accelerate degradation.

BMG’s introduction of the new Fenner O-ring chain provides an important reliability improvement for use in difficult environments – particularly where equipment operates outdoors or in dusty conditions and where maintaining correct lubrication schedules for conventional roller chain is difficult.

The Fenner O-ring chain design addresses these challenges by sealing lubrication inside the chain, while protecting internal components from contamination. The result is a robust chain that offers high performance over extended operating periods.

Fenner O-ring chain incorporates precision-engineered elastomer O-rings positioned between the inner and outer side plates of each link. These seals trap factory-applied lubricant within the pin-and-bush interface, ensuring continuous internal lubrication throughout the chain’s service life. The sealed design prevents ingress of dirt, dust, water and other contaminants.

Consistent lubrication ensures smoother operation and reduces premature chain failure, helping operators maintain uptime in demanding production environments. Another benefit of the sealed configuration is the clean external condition of the chain during operation. Because there is no need for repeated external lubrication, the chain remains dry on the outside surface. This prevents the build-up of abrasive dust and debris that typically accumulates on oil-coated chains in dusty environments. The cleaner operation is particularly advantageous in applications where contamination of surrounding equipment must be avoided, Beukes comments.

The Fenner O-ring roller chain is suited to a range of industrial applications where harsh environmental conditions or restricted maintenance access make conventional chain maintenance difficult.

Fenner 12B and 16B Zintek Plus and O-ring chains are now available throughout Africa, from BMG’s extensive distribution network.