Roller chain product attributes

Roller chain is defined by a chain number, but the number means different things depending on the standard behind it. An ANSI chain and a British-standard chain can share a pitch while differing in roller diameter and inner width, so they do not run correctly together or on each other's sprockets. Supplier files often drop the standard and keep only the size, which is exactly the detail a buyer needs.

Strength data causes the next round of confusion. Catalogs quote a standard minimum tensile strength, a manufacturer's average tensile strength and sometimes a maximum allowable working load, and these numbers are far apart. Mixing them in one field makes a chain look stronger or weaker than it is. Each belongs in its own labeled field.

Packaging adds a unit-of-measure problem. Chain is sold by the foot, by the box of a set length, or cut to a count of pitches, with or without a connecting link. A record that states length, unit and included links clearly prevents short shipments and pricing errors. Material, lubrication and pin construction complete the picture for selection.

The roller chain attribute template

18 candidate fields in 4 groups, ordered the way a record gets built: identify the item, capture its specifications, then record fit and the evidence behind any claim. 11 are marked Core: without them the item cannot be identified or filtered. Example values show the expected format only; they do not describe a real SKU.

Identity

Which exact item, variant and pack this record describes.

Check before use: Preserve leading zeros and punctuation, validate against the manufacturer record, and check the GTIN check digit and packaging level before linking.

Attribute	Type	Priority	Example format
Package Length package_length	Number · ft	Core	10 ft
Manufacturer Part Number manufacturer_part_number	Identifier	Core	RC-60-1-10FT
GTIN / UPC gtin_upc	Identifier	Core	081234560102

Technical specifications

Measured or rated values that must travel with their unit and test conditions.

Check before use: Store the number and unit separately. Convert only when the source unit and test conditions are known.

Attribute	Type	Priority	Example format
Pitch pitch	Number · in	Core	0.750 in
Roller Diameter roller_diameter	Number · in	Core	0.469 in
Width Between Inner Plates inner_width_between_roller_link_plates	Number · in	Core	0.500 in
Minimum Ultimate Tensile Strength (standard) minimum_ultimate_tensile_strength_ansi	Number · lbf	Buyer decision	8,500 lbf
Average Tensile Strength (manufacturer) average_tensile_strength_manufacturer	Number · lbf	Buyer decision	9,500 lbf
Weight per Foot weight_per_foot	Number · lb/ft	Buyer decision	1.0 lb/ft

Selection attributes

The type, material and option choices buyers filter and compare on.

Check before use: Map supplier wording to a governed vocabulary only after checking the source text and which variant it applies to.

Attribute	Type	Priority	Example format
Chain Number chain_number_trade_size	Controlled list	Core	60
Number of Strands number_of_strands	Controlled list	Core	1 (simplex)
Series (Standard / Heavy) chain_series_standard_vs_heavy	Controlled list	Core	Standard
Material material	Controlled list	Core	Heat-treated carbon steel
Pin End Treatment pin_end_treatment	Controlled list	Buyer decision	Riveted
Sealing / Lubrication Construction sealing_lubrication_construction	Controlled list	Buyer decision	Pre-lubricated, standard (no O-rings)

Evidence & compliance

Listings, standards, classifications and origin claims that need a document behind them.

Check before use: Link the manufacturer document or label with its edition or date. Never copy a certification from a neighboring SKU.

Attribute	Type	Priority	Example format
Standard standard_series	Controlled list	Core	ASME B29.1 (ANSI)
Factory Lubricant NSF Registration factory_lubricant_nsf_registration	Controlled list	Channel / evidence	NSF H1
Country of Origin country_of_origin	Controlled list	Channel / evidence	Japan

Normalize supplier values

The same value arrives in many spellings. Map each raw string to one governed value, and keep the raw text beside it so a reviewer can see what the supplier actually wrote.

Often missing from supplier files

These fields are commonly absent from price lists and basic feeds, even though the information usually exists in a datasheet, label or installation manual. Treat an empty value as a request for evidence, not as permission to fill it from a similar model.

• Maximum allowable working load
• Attachment style and spacing
• Connecting link type and inclusion
• Operating temperature range
• Roller type (standard vs oversized)

Questions the record must answer

Buyers and counter-sales reps choosing roller chain ask questions like these. Each one needs a specific field, sourced for the exact variant.

• Is this ANSI 60 chain, or the British-standard 12B that looks almost the same?
• How many feet are in the box, and does it come with a connecting link?
• Is the factory lubricant approved for incidental food contact?
• Will heavy-series chain run on the sprockets I already have?

From supplier file to record

1. Resolve identity first. Link the supplier SKU, manufacturer part number and packaging identifiers without merging distinct variants or pack sizes.
2. Extract with the source attached. Pull values from rows, tables and datasheets, keeping the raw text, unit and page or row reference.
3. Map to your classification. Assign the ETIM, ECLASS, UNSPSC or internal class your company licenses, and keep the supplier's original terms.
4. Review, sync and watch. Hold conflicts and safety-related values for a category expert, write approved values to ERP or PIM, and recheck when the supplier sends a new file.

For the full method, see how to build a category attribute template and the category catalog gap audit.

FAQ