Chains are widely used in various industries, such as construction, industry, transport and the food industry. Although they seem to be unchanging elements at first glance, there are several varieties of chains that differ in many ways. The most common types of chains are galvanized and stainless chains.
Galvanized chains are usually made of carbon steel, which is covered with a layer of zinc
This process is called galvanization and is intended to increase the material's resistance to corrosion and the negative effects of atmospheric factors. For stainless chains, the base material is stainless steel, which owes its anti-corrosion properties to the presence of chromium in its chemical composition. Such steel does not require additional protection against moisture, which makes it more resistant to corrosion than galvanized steel.
The key difference between galvanized and stainless chains is their resistance to corrosion
As already mentioned, stainless steel has better resistance to moisture, salts and acids, which makes it more durable stainless chains they are an excellent choice in places exposed to these factors. Whereas galvanized chains are less resistant to corrosion than those made of stainless steelhowever, it is worth noting that the zinc layer provides them with some protection against weather conditions.
Galvanized chains are usually more durable than stainless chains
This is because carbon steel has greater mechanical strength and can withstand loads better. Therefore, galvanized chains are commonly used in situations where high tension forces and high durability are required. In the case of stainless chains, their strength is lower, but still sufficient for many applications. However, it is important to properly select the type of chain for specific operating conditions.
Stainless steel is a more expensive material than carbon steel
This is why stainless chains are more expensive than galvanized ones. On the other hand, it is worth noting that the price of the chain must be considered in the context of its durability and maintenance costs. In the case of stainless chains, their greater resistance to corrosion can translate into lower service costs and exchange.