Cold Rolling Steel Belts Used in Bicycle Chains
The use of cold-rolled steel belts in bicycle chains is a practice that has been employed by cyclists for decades, as it has long been known to produce components that are especially durable and long-lasting. To ensure a consistently high-quality product, the YB/T5064-1993 standard has been created to provide specific guidelines for manufacturers of cold-rolled steel belts to adhere to. This standard outlines the parameters that must be met in order to manufacture a cold-rolled steel belt that will ultimately produce chains of the highest quality.
The cold-rolled steel belts utilized in bicycle chains are created from an alloy of two parts of iron and one part of carbon. As the steel is rolled, it is passed through a series of calendars that reduce its thickness. The thinner the resultant steel belt becomes, the more malleable and ductile it will be; this process is necessary in order to ensure that the chain’s components can be manipulated and connected in the most efficient manner possible. To guarantee the highest quality of steel belts, the YB/T5064-1993 standard requires that the material have an overall thickness between 0.3 to 0.6mm. The width of a specific belt should also be in accordance to this standard, as it dictates that a belt must be between 4.5 to 6.5mm in width.
Furthermore, the standard also outlines the process by which steel belts are to be cut and joined together. To ensure that the components of the bicycle chains are secure, a process of peening is to be used, which entails the use of force applied to connected parts of the belt in order to reduce the risk of breakages. Additionally, any edges or ends of the belt must be deburred to ensure that any sharp surfaces can be prevented from inflicting damage on other components of the chains.
Once the cold-rolled steel belt has been manufactured to the appropriate standards, it can be utilized for a variety of components of a bicycle chain. One of the most important components is the pins, as it is necessary that they fit properly into the belt’s hole punched and drilled holes. Furthermore, the belt can be extended in order to create links that are larger than usual, requiring either the use of standard 9.4mm pins or special 12.7mm pins. Another component that is commonly created from the steel belt is the chain’s outer plates, as they must be bent and shaped to adhere to the specifications of the belt itself.
By adhering to the YB/T5064-1993 standard, manufacturers have been able to produce cold-rolled steel belts of the highest quality, which will ultimately produce high-performance bicycle chains that are both durable and long-lasting. As a result, cyclists have been able to enjoy the high-quality components of the chains and the longevity of their cycles, all of which has been made possible thanks to the consistent adherence to the standard.
