List of Top Chain Series
Standard Series
Uses standard grade, versatile polyacetal with excellent mechanical properties.
- General-purpose type
- Polyacetal plastic traditionally used for general-purpose products.
- (Color: Gray/White/blue/green)
- Anti-static
- Provides anti-static functions to prevent dust and wear debris from clinging due to static electricity.
- (Color: Gray, green)

Color: Gray

Color: White
(available only for single strand plastic block chain)

Color: Blue
- There are other models available that do not use the description "Standard Series", such as roller tables and universal chains.
- The appearance of the Standard Series will vary by chain. Please refer to each individual product page in the catalog.
Low Friction, Anti-Wear Series (LF Series)
Uses Low Friction, Anti-Wear polyacetal for the chain links.
- Protects conveyed items
- 15 - 45% lower coefficient of friction than the Standard Series, less line pressure during accumulation
- Long life
- Less chain load means 1.2x - 2x or more the life of the Standard Series
- Less required power
- Smooth branching and accumulation of conveyed items
Chain links available in three colors, all with the same performance.
Applications
- Versatile option that can be used in a wide variety of applications.
- For when chain wears and elongates more quickly in harsh usage conditions (high speed, high load), and its replacement cycle is therefore shorter compared to Standard Series
- For when line pressure is high and scratches to product must especially be avoided

Color: White[LFW]

Color: green [LFG]

Color: Brown [LFB]

[Graph: Comparison of Wear Elongation for Standard, LF, and ALF Series]
ALF Series Ultra-low Friction And Wear Resistant Chain
A new material developed by Tsubaki, and a new solution for dry running
- Tsubaki developed a new original material that combines silicone lubricant for dry running applications.
- Dramatically reduces the amount of wear debris generated from sliding with running rails (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) under non-lubricated conditions while maintaining the same ultra low coefficient of friction as the conventional ULF Series.
Applications
Tsubaki recommends using ALF Series for the following applications, especially to reduce the use of lubrication in beverage production lines.
- Processes where lubricant cannot be used (caser lines)
- Processes using dry lubricant (inspection lines before caser lines)
- Conveyors with accumulators and processes where chain speed is high on single line conveyors (single filers, inspection lines, and printing lines)
- ALF Series chain and PLF plastic rails combine the use of a silicone lubricant, so it cannot be used under printing process conditions or under conditions where silicone will have an adverse effect.
- When replacing the ALF Series, we recommend replacing rails.
- When using ALF Series, please use return rollers that can rapidly rotate or return rollers with an outer diameter of φ60 (high inner/outer diameter ratio).
![Color: Light blue [ALF]](/fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-alf.jpg)
Color: Light blue [ALF]

[Graph: Comparison of wear between ALF Series and ULF Series]
Comparison with competitor chain
Wear elongation comparison

Chain+rail wear (volume comparison)

[Notes]
- Tsubaki chain: TTP826-ALF
- Chain speed: 120m/min Mass: 5kg
- Low friction, wear resistant plastic rails: PR-PH520-PLF
- Ambient temperature, non-lubricated conditions
- Co. B new ultra-low friction series, link material: Polyacetal type
- Co. B recommended wear resistant rail
Low Friction, Anti-Wear Series (HG Series)
Uses low friction special engineering plastic for the chain link
- Low wear
- 20% higher wear resistance than LF Series
- Same coefficient of dynamic friction, allowable load, allowable speed, and operating temperature range as the LF Series
- Less required power
- Smooth branching and accumulation of conveyed items
Applications
Usage is recommended in the following applications where lubricants need to be eliminated in beverage production lines.
- Caser lines and other processes where lubricant cannot be used
- Inspection line, printing lines, single filers, and other processes with high chain speeds on single strand conveyor lines
- Inspection lines before caser lines and other processes using dry lubrication.
![Picture:Color-Navyblue[HG]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-hg.jpg)
Color: Navy blue [HG]

The graph above shows our in-house test results. Wear volume of LF Series with our benchmark as 100.
Chain type: TTP826, Chain speed: 60m/min, ambient temperature, dry conditions
[Notes]
- Company A---Co. A new wear resistant series, link material: polyester type
- Company B---Co. B new wear resistant series, link material: polyacetal type
Low Friction Series (NLF Series)
Uses low friction polyacetal for the chain links
- Protects conveyed items
- Features 10 - 30% lower coefficient of friction than Standard Series for less line pressure during accumulation and minimized scratching of conveyed items.
- Less required power
- Smooth branching and accumulation of conveyed items
Applications
- Versatile option that can be used in a wide variety of applications.
- For when line pressure is high and scratching of conveyed items must be prevented

Color: Dark gray [NLF]
Low Friction Series (WR Series)
Uses a corrosion resistant polyacetal for the chain links
- Protects conveyed items
- Features 7 - 28% lower coefficient of friction than Standard Series for less line pressure during accumulation and minimized scratching of conveyed items.
- Corrosion resistant
- Improved corrosion resistance to sodium hypochlorite and other chemicals. Perfect for beverage and food conveyors.
Applications
- For when using sodium hypochlorite or other chemicals
- For when line pressure is high and scratching of conveyed items must be prevented

Color: Dark green [WR]
Color switched from green to dark green on April 2014.
Chemical Resistant Series (Y)
Uses a special engineering plastic for the chain links
- Chemical resistant
- Resistant to corrosion caused by organic solvents, minerals, alkalis, oxidizers, and a wide variety of other chemicals
- Impact resistant
- Plastic is stronger than Standard Series against cracking
Applications
- Manufacturing line conveyors for lithium ion batteries and the like
- Conveying batteries
- Conveying printed circuit boards or silicon wafers in cleaning lines
- Manufacturing line conveyors in food factories where chlorine based chemicals for cleaning must be used (lines where vinegar is used, retort lines, etc.)
![Picture:Color-Matte white [Y]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-y01.jpg)
Color: Matte white [Y]
![Picture[Y]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-y02.jpg)
Also available in Super Chemical Resistant (SY) Series with titanium connecting pins for even greater chemical resistance.
Electroconductive Series (E)
Uses special engineering plastic for the chain links.
- Electroconductive
- Volume resistivity: Less than 106Ω・cm (Standard Series: 1014 - 1015Ω・cm)
- Suppresses static electricity
- Suppresses the generation of electrical noise and sparks
Applications
- For conveying printed circuit boards after soldering
- For conveying solar panels to and from the laminating process and to the cutter
- To prevent static electricity after accumulation and washers/dryers
- Conveying auto parts (electronics)
- When a black colored chain is desirable

Color: Black [E]
Use steel sprockets and rails, and be sure to ground the entire conveyor
Heat Resistant High Speed Series (KV)
Uses special engineering plastic for the links
- Maximum operating temperature
- 150°C (KV150), 180°C (KV180), or 250°C (KV250)
- Maximum speed
- 200m/min (*with plastic top chain)
- Chemical resistant
- Offers superior resistance to cleaning and disinfecting chemicals
- Electroconductive
- Features a low surface resistivity (106Ω) with no static electricity -- perfect for avoiding sparks or dust clinging.
- Flame resistant
- Uses UL V-O class standards for the highest flame resistance (*except KV150)
- *2 - 3dB louder (compared to the Standard Series).
Applications
- Shrink wrappers
- Drying lines
- Conveyors before and after beverage filling areas
- High speed empty can conveyor lines
- For when chemicals attach the polyacetal chain links

Color: Black [KV150、KV180、KV250]

- KV150 is for use in dry environments
High Speed Series (HS)
Uses special engineering plastic for the chain links
- High speed
- Has a high limit PV value at high chain speeds (230m/min on linear lines).
Applications
- For high speed canning and empty can conveyor lines

Color: Cream [HS]
- For use in dry environments.
- Only available with stainless steel pins.
- Allowable load is 80% that of Standard Series.
- Use a stainless steel rail (polished) when using at high speeds.
Antibacterial, Mold Resistant Series (MWS)
Uses a Low Friction, Anti-Wear polyacetal combined with an antimicrobial agent for the chain links
- Anti-bacterial and mold resistant
-
Uses an original antimicrobial agent developed jointly with an antimicrobial agent manufacturer.
Effective against the E. coli, S. aureus, lactobacillus, and so on that need to be avoided around food. It also is resistant to mold and has demonstrable results against penicillum. - Durability
-
Uses an inorganic antimicrobial agent for long-lasting performance.
The antimicrobial agent is folded into the plastic material at the manufacturing stage for uniform distribution over the entire link. This allows the chain to maintain its antibacterial/antimicrobial performance even when the chain surfaces wear. - Safety
-
Uses a highly safe antimicrobial agent.
The additional antimicrobial and antibacterial functions make it even more suited to food applications. - High Functionality
-
Links use Low Friction, Anti-Wear material.
There are virtually no changes to performance with the addition of the antimicrobial agent to give you Low Friction, Anti-Wear performance.
Applications
- Cleaning in bottling plants
- Direct food conveyance or food conveyance before can sealers
- Conveyors wet from water or dew condensation from processes (especially, exit and entrance of shower equipment, unloading areas on retort equipment, etc.)
- Preventing mold in applications where the environment causes the conveyor to dirty easily
Notes
Antimicrobial Products: Test for Antimicrobial Activity and Efficacy I (1995), in accordance with film contact method
- Testing company: Japan Food Research Laboratories
- Date inspection report issued: August 6, 1997
- Test certificate number: #397050652-002
[Conforms to ASTM-G21 mold growth tests]
- Testing company: Japan Food Research Laboratories
- Date inspection report issued: July 18, 1997
- Test certificate number: #397050653-001

Color: Cream [MWS]
Test of antimicrobial power (compared to equivalent LF product)
Condition after 24hrs at 35°C (Saccharomyces) | |||
---|---|---|---|
LF equivalent product | MWS Series | ||
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Molds tested | Series tested | Directly after inoculation | After 24hrs at 35°C |
E. coli | MWS | 2.4×105 | None detected |
LF equivalent product | 2.4×105 | 2.0×107 | |
S. aureus | MWS | 1.4×105 | None detected |
LF equivalent product | 1.4×105 | 2.9×104 | |
Saccharomyces (a type of yeast) | MWS | 2.1×103 | None detected |
LF equivalent product | 2.1×103 | 7.9×102 | |
Lactobacillus | MWS | 1.2×104 | None detected |
LF equivalent product | 1.2×104 | 50 | |
Pathogenic E.coli
[O-157(H7)] |
MWS | 6.0×104 | None detected |
LF equivalent product | 6.0×104 | 1.8×103 |
Results of mold growth tests (comparison with equivalent LF products)
Molds tested | Series tested | After 7 days | After 14 days | After 21 days |
---|---|---|---|---|
Penicillium | MWS | 0 | 0 | 0 |
LF equivalent product | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
Meaning of results | ||||
Result | Meaning | |||
0 | No mold growth found | |||
1 | Slight mold growth found (less than 10% of specimen surface) | |||
2 | Some mold growth found (10 - 30% of specimen surface) | |||
3 | Moderate mold growth found (30 - 60% of specimen surface) | |||
4 | Heavy mold growth found (over 60% of mold surface) |
Impact Resistant Series (DIA) (for dry environments)
Uses special engineering plastic for the chain links
- Ultra impact resistant
- Plastic is difficult to crack even under impacts. Even if the chain breaks, pieces generally do not go flying.
-
[Impact resistance (difficulty to break plastic under impacts)]
DIA >> DIY > Standard Series - High friction
- Has 1.2 times the coefficient of friction as Standard Series. Can be used at slight inclines in dry conditions.
- Lightweight
- 20% lighter than polyacetal top chain for easy handling and less required power.
Applications
- Tray conveyance in bakeries
- Direct food conveyance or dry conveyors
- Food conveyance at slight inclines
![Picture: Color-Cream[DIA]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-dia01.jpg)
Color: Cream [DIA]
![Picture[DIA]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-dia02.jpg)
For use in dry environments. Avoid use in watery or water lubricated environments.
Impact Resistant Series (DIY) (for dry and wet environments)
Uses special engineering plastic for the chain links
- Impact resistant
- More resistant to chipping from impacts than polyacetal plastic.
-
[Impact resistance (difficulty to break plastic under impacts)]
DIA >> DIY > Standard Series - Chemical resistant
- Excellent chemical resistance to cleaning and disinfecting chemicals -- perfect for conveyors that are often washed and disinfected.
- Nonadhesive
- Conveyed items cannot adhere to the chain easily.
- Resistant to UV rays
- Superior weatherproofing compared to polyacetal plastic
Applications
- Food or container conveyance in wet environments
- Applications with frequent disinfection and cleaning
- For users trouble by chipping found in polyacetal chains
![Picture:Color: green[DIY]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-diy01.jpg)
Color: Green [DIY]
![Picture[DIY]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-diy02.jpg)
There is a possibility of plastic pieces scattering in cold environments in some conditions.
Metal Detectable Series (MPD/MPW)
Uses special engineering plastic for the chain links
- Can be detected by metal detectors
- Even if the chain should chip and mix in with the food, the pieces are detectable by metal detectors to prevent any chance of getting downstream.
- Impact resistant
- Pieces are resistant to shattering even under impacts
- Operating environments
-
MPD: For use in dry environments
MPW: For use in wet environments - Allowable load
-
MPD: 80% of Standard Series
MPW: 40% of Standard Series
Applications
- Direct food conveyance before packing equipment
- Direct food conveyance (frozen noodles, etc.) (MPW)
- Tray conveyance in bakeries (MPD)
![Picture:Black[MPD、MPW]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-mpd01.jpg)
Color: Black [MPD、MPW]
![Picture[MPD、MPW]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-mpd02.jpg)
High Temperature Series (HTW)
Uses polypropylene for the chain links.
- Operating temperature: 105°C
- Ideal chain for use in contact with hot water in warmers and coolers in beverage plants.
- Chemical resistant
- Provides superb chemical resistance to acids and alkalis.
- High friction
- Has 1.2s - 1.6x the coefficient of friction of Standard Series. Can be used at slight inclines in dry conditions.
- Lightweight
- 40% lighter than polyacetal chains for less required power.
Applications
- Warmers and coolers in beverage plants
- Battery conveyance lines
- Conveyors with slight inclines
![Picture:White[HTW]](fileadmin/en/products/images/reference/chain/img340-method-htw.jpg)
Color: White[HTW]
- Cautions on usage: Has 40% the maximum allowable load as Standard Series
Other plastic chain materials
Specifications | Features & applications | Cautions on usage |
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PFS Series for food applications (PFS) |
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Freezer Series (LTW) |
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Anti-static Series(SE) |
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Middle Friction Series (MF) |
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Super Chemical Resistant Series (SY) |
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Acid Resistant Series (AR) |
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UV Resistant Series (UVR) |
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