Unlike round steel chains, engineering chains move only in one dimension. Their preferred use is as drive or haulage chains or for taking up static or dynamic loads, as transport or gear chains for power transmission. Steel link chains transmit power without slipping and avoid bending stress by articulation.
The running of the chain around the wheels causes wear of the articulations by the angle – slide movements of the bolts. Due to that fact lubrication of articulated chains is important to guarantee long life time and satisfactory service. The lubricant satisfies several functions: It separates pins and bushes surfaces, allowing easy rotation, then it damps and decreases sudden shocks between pins and bushes and chain and wheels and it might cool and clean the chain.