What type of steel is typically used for chains in chain conveyors for heavy-duty applications?

Manganese steel is specifically designed to withstand high impact and abrasion, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications such as chain conveyors. This type of steel contains a significant percentage of manganese, which enhances its toughness and wear resistance. The unique properties of manganese steel allow it to absorb energy during high impact and stress situations without fracturing, ensuring the longevity and reliability in demanding industrial environments.

In contrast, while carbon steel is strong and versatile, it does not offer the same level of wear resistance or toughness as manganese steel. Alloy steel can improve certain properties like strength and hardness, but it may not provide the necessary resistance to impact and abrasion under heavy-duty use. Tool steel, while very hard and capable of retaining a sharp edge, is generally used for making cutting tools and is not designed for the dynamic and flexible applications required in chain conveyors. Thus, the choice of manganese steel for chains in such applications is driven by its superior performance characteristics.