Unlike standard roller chains that only flex up and down, side‑bow (also written sidebow) chains are engineered to bend laterally along their travel path. Manufacturers achieve this by slightly modifying the profile of inner and outer plates, adjusting pin‑to‑bush clearance, and using carefully controlled tolerances, without sacrificing basic tensile strength.
When made from SS304 or SS316 stainless steel, these chains gain good corrosion resistance, making them suitable for environments where moisture, food residue or mild chemicals are present. Common applications include curved food conveying lines, packaging machinery, bakery equipment and some automated sorting systems .
👉 [INTERNAL LINK: link to our stainless‑steel side‑bow roller chain product page here
One important point for purchasing managers: side‑bow chains have a minimum recommended bend radius. Running them below this value will accelerate wear, plate deformation and early failure. They are not designed for sharp turns.
Also note: standard sprockets can usually work with side‑bow chains, but we suggest checking dimensions before ordering. If you require attachments or non‑standard pitches, drawings are strongly recommended before production.
👉 [INTERNAL LINK: link to our standard stainless‑steel roller chain category here
