Stainless Steel Roller Chain

Stainless steel roller chain is the fix when standard carbon-steel chain rusts out of a drive long before it wears out — food and beverage lines, dairy and washdown conveyors, marine gear, water treatment plant and chemical-handling equipment all eat carbon-steel chain alive. AIMS Industrial stocks a genuine stainless range across both major chain standards — BS (British Standard / ISO 606) and ASA (American Standard / ANSI) — in simplex and duplex configurations, plus stainless double-pitch conveyor chain and the connecting and offset links to go with it. Every chain in this range is 304-grade stainless (SUS304, 18Cr-8Ni) for genuine corrosion resistance, not just a marketing label. Not sure which one suits your job? Our Roller Chain: Sizes, Types & Sprockets covers selection in detail.

Quick Reference

BS vs ASA — Which Standard Is Your Drive?

BS and ASA chain are not interchangeable at a matching pitch — the plate width and pin length differ between the two systems, even where the pitch number lines up. Check the stamp on your existing chain's side plate first: a "B" suffix (e.g. 08B) is BS, a plain number (e.g. 40) is ASA.

Standard chain lengths ship as a 10 foot box. Need a size outside this list, or a length other than 10 foot? Call the team on (02) 9773 0122 — we can generally quote it through our wholesale partners.

Stainless Double-Pitch Conveyor Chain

For slower-running conveyor drives — packaging lines, bottling and canning conveyors, sludge-rake and screen drives — AIMS stocks 304 stainless double-pitch chain in C2040, C2042, C2050, C2052, C2060H, C2062H and C2080H. Double-pitch geometry (pitch doubled relative to the equivalent single-pitch chain number) cuts chain weight per metre, which suits lower-speed conveying rather than high-speed power transmission. C2040 runs a 1" pitch, C2050 a 1-1/4" pitch, C2060(H) 1-1/2", and C2080(H) 2" — the "H" suffix denotes the heavier-section variant, and the "2" second-digit variants (C2042 etc.) run oversize rollers on the same pitch.

Connecting & Offset Links in Stainless

Every stainless chain in this range needs a matching stainless link to close the loop or add an odd pitch — running a plain-steel link on stainless chain sets up galvanic corrosion right at the joint. AIMS stocks connecting links (spring-clip and cottered) and offset/half links across the stocked BS and ASA range, plus the double-pitch series, in matching 304 stainless:

• BS connecting & offset links — simplex and duplex, matched to the 05B–16B range above
• ASA connecting & offset links — simplex and duplex, matched to the 25–80 range above
• Cottered ASA 80 links (1" pitch) — connecting and offset/half link, simplex, for the heavier end of the ASA range
• ASA 40 duplex offset link (1/2" pitch) — for twin-strand ASA 40 drives
• Double-pitch connecting & offset links — matched to the C20xx conveyor chain range above

For the full link range including standard (non-stainless), H-Type, X-Ring and self-lubricating variants, see our Roller Chain Links collection.

Why 304 Stainless

Every stainless chain and link stocked in this range is 304-grade (SUS304, 18Cr-8Ni austenitic stainless), manufactured to ISO 606-B / ANSI dimensional standards so it interchanges directly with equivalent sprockets and drive components. 304 grade suits food processing, dairy, beverage, general washdown and CIP-cleaned equipment. It's not stronger than an equivalent carbon-steel chain of the same number — the benefit is corrosion resistance, not load rating, so size it the same way you'd size standard chain and don't expect a strength upgrade from the material switch.

Stainless chain generally ships unlubricated from the factory and should be lubricated before use (except where the chain runs fully submerged) — running it dry from day one shortens life on the pin-and-bush joints. If your application needs 316-grade for marine or heavy chlorinated exposure, or a chain number outside the range above, call our team — we'll check what's available through our supply partners.

Brands We Stock

• KCM — ISO 9001-certified chain manufacturer, supplying the bulk of the stainless range here across BS and ASA standards, simplex and duplex, plus double-pitch and the matching connecting/offset links.
• SY Chain (Sugiyama Chain Manufacturing Co.) — solid bushing and solid roller construction throughout its standard range, stocked here in BS and ASA stainless simplex and duplex plus stainless double-pitch conveyor chain.

Companion Collections

Stainless is one slice of the AIMS chain and sprocket range — here's where the rest of it lives:

• Chain & Sprockets — the full power transmission chain and sprocket category
• Roller Chain — the broader roller chain range, including standard carbon-steel
• Roller Chain Links — connecting and offset links across all standards and finishes
• Sprockets — the drive side of every chain assembly
• KCM and SY Chain — browse each brand's full catalogue

Order from AIMS

Not sure which chain number, standard or configuration matches your drive? Our team can confirm it from a stamped chain number, a sample, or a photo. Call us on (02) 9773 0122, get in touch through our contact page, or submit a quote request for bulk or project pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grade of stainless steel is AIMS roller chain made from?

304 grade (SUS304, 18Cr-8Ni austenitic stainless) across the range stocked in this collection, for both KCM and SY Chain product lines. If your application needs 316 grade, contact our team to check availability through our supply partners.

Is BS or ASA stainless roller chain interchangeable between standards?

No. BS (British Standard, "B" suffix numbers like 08B) and ASA (American Standard/ANSI, plain numbers like 40) use different plate widths and pin lengths even at a matching pitch. Check the stamp on your existing chain's side plate to confirm the standard before ordering.

Does stainless roller chain need lubrication?

Yes. Stainless chain generally ships unlubricated and should be lubricated before installation, except where it runs fully submerged in water. Running it dry can shorten the life of the pin-and-bush joints.

What box quantity does stainless roller chain come in?

Standard chain lengths in this range ship as a 10 foot box. Connecting and offset links are sold individually to match your chain number and configuration.

What's the difference between simplex and duplex stainless chain?

Simplex is single-strand; duplex is twin-strand for higher load capacity on the same pitch. Match the configuration to your existing drive — a duplex link or sprocket will not fit simplex chain and vice versa.

What's stainless double-pitch chain used for?

Double-pitch chain (the C20xx series) is built for slower-running conveyors rather than high-speed power transmission — packaging and bottling lines, sludge-rake drives and similar duty — where the doubled pitch reduces chain weight per metre.

Can I get a chain number or grade that isn't listed here?

Call us on (02) 9773 0122 or use our contact page — we can generally quote additional stainless chain numbers, 316 grade, or non-standard lengths through our wholesale partners.