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Chain Manufacturing
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variety of chain can easily be manufactured from these
microalloys. Since there is this significant increase in
hardness with cold work, a lightweight, strong chain can be made
that will wear well. If the wire is drawn through a highly
polished die, little is required beyond joining the links to
produce finished chain. Automatic chain machines equipped with
either a laser weld or with a mini arc weld work well if also
equipped with an argon flow over the link being welded. This way
there is no discoloration at the weld and the period the microalloy
is in a molten state so short that there is little loss in strength.
Due to the hardness of the cold drawn wire the links can also be
diamond faceted to produce bright cut links. A varity of
lightweight chain is shown in Figure 6. For heavier chain, such
as that shown in Figure 7, the links are best joined by the 22K
solder. However, as described above, the soldering and age
hardening steps can be carried out together. together.
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Figure 6 |
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