Rust or corrosion inhibitor for conveyor chain?

Does anyone know of anything you can spray on your chain to make to keep it from rusting or corroding? I would think there is some product out there to help the chain last longer. Any ideas?

I think virtualy all conveyor chains will tend to wear out before they rust out. I remember years ago there was an Oiler with a reservoir of oil feeding a brush that lay on teh chain. Haven't seen one in decades.

So then how long does the chain should last? If you do 100K car per year, would you get about 3 years out of it before it's "worn" out?

-tom

There are lots of different chains out there so the answers would likely vary by type.

While volume is a factor, time is a factor as well. By this I mean that the conveyor chain moves a certain amount of time that could be similar even if volumes are different because depending on spacing 2 cars does not make the conveyor run twice as long as one car.

I would also expect that some reqgions might have environmental conditions like more abarasive dirt/ sand that could affect things as well.

Jack Flapan told me once I should get 500K cars with his chain, but I never did. It was more like 400K.

What are some really good and basic things to do to get 500K or even 400K cars out of 1 chain? I was looking for any ideas about spraying a lubricant or rust/corrosion inhibitor on the chain regularly to keep it in good condition and help make it last longer. Got any ideas about that?

Is keeping the track area cleaned out and greasing all fittings the best or only things that can be done? Input is valuable. Thanks.

One big factor for chain life is how well the conveyor is aligned. If the chain rubs on the conveyor because of misalignment it will wear prematurely.
Also, the less sand and grit the chain is exposed to the less wear. Using a good water resistant grease is also critical to the conveyor bearings life.
When they start to go it can cause chain and sprocket wear.

I would flip the chain at 200K cars. That would help. Depending on chain type this may or may not be difficult.

When I first acquired a wash in 1985, I noted very soon that the having a good operating conveyor and chain was key to my business. In a worst case, I suppose we could do without one wrap, rocker panel, tire brushes or one of my arches, but I was dead without a conveyor to bring cars through. Initially, I repaired the chain in the evening: changing pins, links, rollers, etc. I would too often have a chain break during a run and lost business. I solved this problem by purchasing a new chain, flipping it after two years (inspect, repair rollers during the flipping process). After two more years I took the chain out and threw it away. I replaced the top track and sprockets every seven years, during which I also changed the conveyor motor. I had two conveyor motors (spares) always ready to be installed if one begain develope leaks. When I took a motor out, I had it overhauled - generally would cost 25% of new. After utilizing this type of program - I never had a breakage or down time because of my conveyor. The conveyor was the "last thing" to worry about. Wear and tear is something to worry about of course, but chains rust and after 4 years, they are about done. Bite the bullet, take it out, throw it away (scrap dealers love them - get some money for it)and purchase anotheer one. I also put oil on the chain occassionally, manually slowly dripping the oil onto the chain as it came around the sprocket. It would definitely quiet the chain down for while - not sure if it increased longevity.