Corrosion Engineering of Chain of bicycle

Table of Contents

Normally the bicycle is also known as the bike, Cycle which is the human powered, pedal driven, single tracked vehicles, and it is also having the two wheels which is connected by frame. The rider of the bicycle is also called the cyclist, or bicyclist In Europe Bicycles were introduced in late 19th century. The simple figure of bicycle is shown in below figure 1.

The bicycle chain comprises by the second outer link, first outer links, and perturbance of the axial outer link  (Fukumori & al, 2018). Form the first inner surfaces, the axial pro tolerances are protruding for the first portion and it is intermediate into axial direction.

Figure 1: Bicycle  

The bicycle chain is the roller chain, form the pedal to drive of bicycle wheel it transfers the power, a however propelling it. Form the alloy steel, plain carbon the bicycle chains are created and in the various nickel plated it prevented the corrosion for aesthetics

Figure 2: bicycle chain

History of Corrosion Engineering

In the past, there was an obsolete chain design used in the bicycles that also contain Simpson level chain, skip-link chain, and blockchain. The world’s first chain was just a simple and its design was like a bushing-less. This design has one problem that is related to reliability because its friction level is increased. This design is losing mechanical efficiency.

Then after this, the problem was solved by the Nevoigt Brothers; they had designed the new chain that was named as the roller chain in 1898. This chain was using the bushing, and it is now also known as the prevalent chain. In that chain, there is single rear cog attached with fixed gear. In modern bicycles, this design is common. But in some areas of China, the bushing-less chain is still ordered at the lowered cost. The main reason was that the manufacturing cost of this chain is low, but it is now considered as an undesirable chain that can be used in bicycles.

In early times, some chain-driven bicycles were manufactured by Guillemot and Mayer in 1869, by Lawson in 1884. The bicycles that have chains are known as the safety bicycles, and before this, there is no chain in these bicycles. In such old bicycles, the pedals were directly attached to the main drive wheels. Through this action, the top speed will be lowered due to the diameter of the wheel. In old bicycles, the next design was related to the front wheel, make it larger.  As the front wheel is larger, then the speed will be increased. After some time, there were different linkage mechanisms invented that were involved in increasing the efficiency of the gear. With the invention of the chain drive, there is a huge mechanical advantage that was present between the driven and drove sprockets for finding the maximum speed.

Categories of Bicycles

The category of the bicycle is shown in the below table 1;

Category	Model of bicycle
General	Small tire, child’s, general purpose , Sports
Special purpose	Heavy duty carriage, track racing , tricycle, road racing
Infant	Infant’s

Construction and Features

There are about two main types of bicycle chain that include 1/2×1/8  and 1/2  ×3/32.  In this equation, the first number is showing the pitch of the chain. On the other hand, the next number is showing the inner width of the bicycle chain that is measured in inches. 

Now the main feature of the chain number 1/2×1/8   is that if there is no need to shift the speed of the bicycle. The construction of this chain is almost the same as the standard roller chain. 

Furthermore, the next chain 1/2  ×3/32  is mostly used with an extra derailleur. For that chain, there are mainly two types of construction that include bushings and roller chains. Now in the bushingless chain, there are no inner link plates, then in this design, the inner plates are serving as the bushing. It can be noted that in many derailleur transmission chains, the link plates are mostly bent so the speed can be changed through rear sprockets. 

Through the help of the table, it will be easy to know the difference between these chain constructions. 

Components of bushingless chain

Applications of Bicycle Chains

The bicycle chains have a lot of applications in the past. The concept of these chains had played a major role in history. The main aim of these chains is to transmit the main power to the pedal to the back wheel of the bicycle. The cog chains were mostly used in past bikes and motorbikes. There is a lot of expectation for these cog chains because such chains were completely useless for the automobiles.

In the past, the chain designs were not perfect, and they were developed with time. There is a huge change in the development of bicycles after some years. In the start, such chains can be used for low speed and just able to handle the low weight.

In the past, these chains may be used in different agriculture machines and other purposes. These chains were also used in old cars. These chains are also used to open any automatic gates for the industries.

Figure: Use of bicycle chain concept in industries

Efficiency of Chain of Corrosion Engineering

The Chain of bicycle could be very energy efficient, whereas the one study is reported that the efficiencies are high at 98.6%. Efficiency should be improved; the study is performed in the clean environment of laboratory, and the efficiency is not affected by the state of the lubrications. By the large sprocket obtained the more efficient drive due to pressure movement which is farther away form the axels , and there is less stress on a bearings and it is also reduced the friction in the inner wheel. The Chain which has the higher tension is found to be more efficient (Spicer & al, 2001).

Maintenance of Chain of Corrosion Engineering

There are many methods and ways for maintaining the chain of the bicycle. From them, one of the most common is related to the lubrication of the chain. The cyclist has to lubricate the chain for the better response of their chain. For that case, there is the use of liquid lubricants that will penetrate to the inside link of the chain. Due to this these chains will not be displaced and refrain from oxidation. There is one drawback of the liquid lubricant that these lubricants attract dirt too quickly.

For resolving this, there is the use of the dry lubricants that may contain Teflon or wax, these chemicals are then transported through the help of evaporating solving, and the chain will be refrain from any kind of oxidation.

One of the most important rules comes from the cardinal, and it is about the lubrication of the chain. There is no need to lubricate the chain when it is dirty, clean it and then apply lubrication. The cyclist has to clean the chain before applying dry lubricants. The next thing is that when lubrication is applied then wait for its drying.

There is also an alternative way for the chain of the bicycle that is related to the changing of the chain with a proper. If the chain is good, then there will be quite less requirement of care. It can be seen that there are utility bicycles that contain enclosed chain guards that will help from any kind of maintenance. Now there are some bicycles that came with chaincase that will help the chain from any kind of external dirt. The cyclist has to apply lubrication whenever there is a feeling of any friction between the chains. If the lubrication is applied, these chains will be moved smoothly and perfectly (Downs, 2005).

Sizes of Chain of Corrosion Engineering

In the modern bicycle the chain uses  inch () pitch that is the distance form centre to the one pin. In the below figure, the number 4 indicates the pitch of chain in the eights of inch. In the below figure the view exploded the few bicycle chain, whereas in the 1” outer plate” 2 “Inner plate”; 3 “Pin” 4 “Bushing”; 5 “Roller”

Figure: 1 “outer plate” 2 “Inner plate”; 3 “Pin” 4 “Bushing”; 5 “Roller”

Width of Corrosion Engineering

Chains come in roller widths, an internal width among inner plates. ¹⁄₈ in (3.2 mm) chains are typically used on bikes with a single rear sprocket: 

Manufacturers of bicycle chain

There are different manufactures of bicycles;

Bicycle Chain Sprocket of Corrosion Engineering

This invention is linked with the back wheel of the bicycle. It is related to the sprocket is fixed with the rear wheel of the bicycle. The inner circular edge of the chain containing some teeth that are projecting inside of the chain. This is also known as a profiled wheel that contains cogs and teeth combined with the main chain. This was also used in old cars, but it was basically copied from bicycles. Through the help of such chains, the speed of the bicycle can be adjusted easily, and chains are locked when applying break. 

Figure: bicycle chain with sprocket

The main size of the sprockets may vary according to the design of the manufactures. From all of these designs, the tooth shape design is completely different. The main reason behind this is that it contains teeth on the inner side and can be used for bicycle chains. Many manufacturers are designing the chains to get better results on the road. There is huge care required while changing the sprockets.

Handling and selection of the sprockets

·         There are some manufacturers that are using the selection system for making derailleur transmission systems that also contain sprockets and chains.

·         Through the help of wearing the performance of the chain can be influenced. For this, the manufacturer just has to select such a chain with coated pins. It will help to enhance wear resistance.

·         There is complete concentration required while connecting the chain because if it is a little bit careless during the operation, these chains may be broke. For that case, there is a need to use the special connecting pins that will help to connect it with the chains. They are mostly used with derailleurs.

·         It can be seen that these chains may be exposed to dirt, rain, and mud that will increase the rustiness. Therefore, there is a need for regular lubrication after cleaning.

·         For removing rust from the chain don’t use weak acids because these chains may break the chain

Bicycle drive chain standard dimensions

In this section, the overview of the bicycle has the driving chain for the standard dimension, where every chain has the three important dimensions;

Ø  Pitch

Ø  Inner diameter

Ø  Outer diameter (Relja, 2018)

Bicycle driving chain pitch

The distance where the pin is placed is known as the chain pitch; and it is also measured through the 3 links of the measuring distance and it is dividing by the two.

Figure: chain pitch

Source: (Relja, 2018)

In above figure the chain pitch is shown by the green marker, and it is determined through the measuring distance.

Chain inner width of Corrosion Engineering

The spacing among the pair of the inner plates is known as the inner chain, and it is marked in a below figure (Randall & al, 2001)

Figure: Chain inner width

Source: (Relja, 2018)

Chain outer width of Corrosion Engineering

By the outer width, the chain for the one and the multiple speeds must be different from each other. Chain is designed for the shorter pins and the outer plates has the more speeds for the outer chain has the smaller width (Maesa, al, & al, 2012)

Figure: Chain outer width

Source: (Relja, 2018)

In above figure the outer width is different form the others; and it is the significant for the bike with the different sprockets, where the chain does not stuck, and drop among the sprockets.

Experimental Examination of Bicycle Chain Forces

For conducting the experiment, there is the use of the 12.7 mm pitch chain. This chain can be used for the analysis of ISO standards and also for the sprockets. Although these chains are mostly tested for the bicycles. There is comprehensive information about the description of the geometry of the bicycle. The procedure and principle of the experiment are simple. The theory behind the GPLD analysis comes from past chain designs. For that, the average tooth pressure angle of the chain defined as

It can be noted that

In this equation, the N is denoted by the number of teeth that are present on Sprocket.

Selection of Material for Bicycle Chain

For the selection of material for manufacturing the bicycle chain, there is seven main steps.

In the first step, there is a need to identify the materials that can be used for the construction of chains. There are about five main materials that include S45C, A36, C40, Q235, and AISI 1038.

In the next step, there is a need to draw the hierarchy diagram. There are about three main levels of the diagram that will help the manufacturer to select the right material for the chain. The level two of the diagram is extremely important because this level contains different features of the chain. After this in the next step, make a normalized matrix. This matrix can be formed through the help of this formula

In the next step, there is a need for the structural variance value form the matrix. The variance values can be calculated through the help of this formula

After this, in the fifth step, there is a need to calculate the objective weights of the attributes. Then after this, it is compared with the statistical variance. For calculating this, this formula can be used

Furthermore, in the next step, there is a need to compute the preference index for each of the material. This can be calculated through the help of this formula

In the last step, there is just a requirement to rank the materials according to the preference index. If the value of this index is good, then it can be said that this material is perfect for manufacturing the chain. According to the preference index, AISI 1038 is the best material.

(Singh & al, 2012)

Bicycle Chain Rings of Corrosion Engineering

This is also known as the crankset for the bicycle. It is the main part of the bicycle drivetrain that is involved in converting the reciprocating motion of the cycle. It will help the bicycle to move quite smoothly on the belt that will allow the movement of the back wheel. It may consist of one and more sprockets that are connected together and form chainrings. These chainrings are attached to the cranks and with the pedals. The rider is able to push the pedals and move the bike in a smooth way.

Figure: chainring of bicycle

Bicycle Chain Shape Models

There are different models of bicycle chains. But from all of these shapes, the landmark-based pre-shapes are one of the most common shape for the bicycle chains. This structure is completely natural and it is applied to different groups of rotation planners. There are different orbits that are defining chain shapes. For analyzing the perfect shape, there is a need to develop Geodesic Generalized Procrustes on the simple set. There is about n number of links on which the bicycle chain manifolds are attached. For this, the simple quadratic constraint is given as

From this point, the tangent space can be calculated between the shapes by

For choosing the shape for the bicycle chain if the manufacturer chooses Geodesic Generalized Procrustes analysis then this can be given as

Conclusion of Corrosion Engineering

Summing up all the discussion from above, it is concluded that the bicycle chain is one of the most important inventions. In this report, there is complete information about the manufacturing of the bicycle chain.  The rider of the bicycle is also called the cyclist or bicyclist. In Europe, Bicycle was introduced in the late 19th century. The bicycle chain comprises the second outer link, first outer links, and proturbance of the axial outer link. In the past, there was an obsolete chain design used in the bicycles that also contain Simpson level chain, skip-link chain, and blockchain.

 The world’s first chain was just a simple and its design was like a bushing-less. Furthermore, the next chain is mostly used with an extra derailleur. For that chain, there are mainly two types of construction that include bushings and roller chains. The main aim of these chains is to transmit the main power to the pedal to the back wheel of the bicycle. The cog chains were mostly used in past bikes and motorbikes. Efficiency should be improved; the study is performed in the clean environment of the laboratory, and the efficiency is not affected by the state of the lubrication. The cyclist has to clean the chain before applying dry lubricants. The next thing is that when lubrication is applied then wait for its drying.  This is also known as the crankset for the bicycle. It is the main part of the bicycle drivetrain that is involved in converting the reciprocating motion of the cycle.

References of Corrosion Engineering