Chain Quality Assurance—
Evidence Behind Every Claim
We don\u2019t just say our chains are strong, corrosion-resistant, and compliant\u2014we prove it. Every shipment can be accompanied by full certification documentation, from raw material mill certificates to third-party lab test reports. Our quality scope covers material traceability, chemical composition, mechanical performance, plating integrity, environmental compliance, and factory system audits.
Raw Material Certificates
Every batch of raw material is documented with traceable certificates that verify chemical composition, mechanical properties, and mill origin.
REACH Compliance
Full compliance with EU REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 covering registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals.
REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006
All Aurelink chain products are fully compliant with the EU REACH regulation. We maintain current documentation for all substances of very high concern (SVHC) listed in the Candidate List.
- No substances of very high concern (SVHC) above 0.1% w/w threshold
- Full compliance with Annex XVII restrictions
- REACH compliance declaration available for every shipment
- Regular updates to documentation as the Candidate List evolves
- Supply chain communication protocols for article 33 obligations
Dimensional & Visual Quality Control
Comprehensive dimensional inspection and visual appearance quality control ensure every chain link meets precise specifications and surface quality standards before shipment.
Dimensional Tolerance Checking
Wire diameter, link inner and outer dimensions, pitch, and overall length are verified against engineering drawings using calibrated instruments. Tolerances per ISO 286 and customer specifications, with sampling plans per ISO 2859-1 (AQL).
Visual Inspection Criteria
Trained inspectors examine every batch under controlled lighting (1000–1500 lux) for surface defects: cracks, burrs, scratches, pits, dents, and discoloration. Acceptance criteria defined per ISO 2859-1 AQL levels: critical 0, major 1.0, minor 2.5.
Surface Quality Standards
Surface finish classified by grade: Class A (mirror and decorative), Class B (semi-bright industrial), Class C (standard functional). Surface roughness (Ra) measured per ISO 4287, with maximum Ra values specified per finish grade and customer requirement.
Measurement Equipment
Digital vernier calipers (±0.01 mm), outside micrometers (±0.001 mm), go/no-go ring and snap gauges, profile projectors, height gauges, and coordinate measuring machines (CMM) for complex geometries and tight tolerances.
Nickel, Lead & Cadmium Testing
Rigorous testing for restricted heavy metals ensures compliance with the strictest global regulations, including EU directives and US standards.
Nickel Release Testing
EN 1811:2011+A1:2015 — reference test method for nickel release. Pass criterion: < 0.5 µg/cm²/week. All plated chain components tested.
Lead Content Testing
CPSC-accepted methods (CPSC-CH-E1002-08) for total lead content in surface coatings and substrates. Pass criterion: < 90 ppm in coatings.
Cadmium Content Testing
EN 1122 Method B — determination of cadmium content by acid digestion and AAS/ICP. Pass criterion: < 100 ppm total cadmium.
RoHS Compliance Verification
EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II — testing for all six restricted substances. XRF screening plus wet chemistry confirmation as needed.
Salt Spray & Corrosion Testing
Neutral salt spray (NSS) testing per ISO 9227 validates the corrosion resistance of our plated and coated chain products under accelerated conditions.
| Test Parameter | Standard | Condition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral Salt Spray (NSS) | ISO 9227:2017 | 5% NaCl, 35°C, continuous spray | Pass |
| Zinc Plating — White Rust | ISO 9227 / ASTM B117 | 48 hours minimum exposure | No white rust |
| Zinc Plating — Red Rust | ISO 9227 / ASTM B117 | 96–240 hours (per spec) | No red rust |
| Nickel-Chrome Plating | ISO 9227 / ASTM B117 | 48–96 hours | Rating 9+ |
| Dacromet / Geomet Coating | ISO 9227 / ASTM B117 | 480–720 hours | No red rust |
Plating Thickness & Adhesion
Plating quality is measured by coating thickness uniformity, adhesion strength, and wear resistance\u2014ensuring long-lasting finish performance.
XRF Thickness Measurement
Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry per ASTM B568 / ISO 3497. Measures individual layer thickness in multi-layer plating systems with micron-level precision.
Adhesion Testing
Thermal shock and bend testing per ISO 2819. Plated components subjected to 250°C for 30 minutes then water-quenched. No blistering, peeling, or separation permitted.
Wear Resistance
Taber abrasion and micro-hardness testing verify that the plated surface withstands the mechanical wear and friction encountered during chain operation.
Cross-Section Microscopy
Metallographic cross-section preparation and optical microscopy to verify layer structure, thickness uniformity, and absence of voids or inclusions at the substrate-coating interface.
Pull, Tensile & Fatigue Testing
Mechanical performance is the heart of chain reliability. We test breaking strength, proof load, elongation, and fatigue life to verify every chain meets its rated capacity.
Breaking Force / Tensile Strength
ISO 1834 / ASTM A391 — chain samples pulled to destruction on calibrated tensile testing machines. Minimum breaking force must exceed the grade-rated value by the specified safety factor.
Proof Load Testing
Every production batch is proof-load tested at 2× the working load limit (WLL). No permanent elongation or deformation is permitted after load removal.
Elongation Measurement
Total elongation at fracture is measured per ISO 6892-1. Minimum elongation values are specified by grade and validate the material’s ductility and toughness.
Fatigue Cycling
ISO 15630 / in-house protocol — cyclic loading at 0.3–0.6× MBF for 20,000+ cycles. Verifies long-term durability under repeated dynamic loading conditions.
Quality FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about our testing, certification, and quality assurance processes.