Hybrid chain link
The present invention relates to a chain link comprising a strip comprising a longitudinal core section and at least two longitudinal edge sections, wherein the thickness of the core section is higher than the thickness of the edge sections, preferably the strip comprising warp yarn A and warp yarn B, the titer of warp yarn A being higher than the titer of warp yarn B, and wherein the concentration of warp yarn A in the core section is higher than the concentration of yarn A in the edge sections of the strip and the concentration of warp yarn B in the edge sections is higher than the concentration of warp yarn B in the core section of the strip. The invention also relates to a chain comprising said chain link and to the use of said chain in different applications.
1. A chain link comprising a strip, wherein
the strip includes a longitudinal core section and at least two longitudinal edge sections, and wherein
the core section has a thickness which is greater than a thickness of the at least two edge sections, and wherein
the strip comprises warp yarns containing warp yarn A and warp yarn B, wherein the warp yarn A has a titer which is greater than a titer of the warp yarn B, and wherein
the warp yarn A is present in the core section at a concentration which is greater than a concentration of the warp yarn A in the edge sections of the strip, and wherein
the warp yarn B is present in the edge sections at a concentration which is greater than the concentration of the warp yarn B in the core section of the strip.
2. The chain link according to claim 1 , further comprising a warp yarn C, wherein
the titer of the warp yarn A is greater than the titer of warp yarn B, and wherein
the titer of the warp yarn B is greater than a titer of the warp yarn C, and wherein
the warp yarns B and C are present in the edge sections at a concentration which is greater than a concentration of the warp yarns B and C in the core section of the strip.
3. The chain link according to claim 2 , wherein the concentration of the warp yarn C in the longitudinal edge sections is less than the concentration of the warp yarn B in the longitudinal edge sections.
4. The chain link of claim 2 , wherein warp yarn C is located at outmost regions of the at least two longitudinal edge sections of the strip.
5. The chain link of claim 2 , wherein, the titer of warp yarn C is in the range of from 500 dtex to 7500 dtex.
6. The chain link of claim 5 , wherein, the titer of warp yarn C is in the range between 800 dtex and 2000 dtex.
7. The chain link according to claim 1 , wherein the warp yarns comprise a high performance polymeric yarn.
8. The chain link according to claim 7 , wherein the high performance polymeric yarn is a high performance polyolefin yarn.
9. The chain link according to claim 8 , wherein the high performance polymeric yarn is an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) yarn.
10. The chain link of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the warp yarn A in the core section is in a range of 50 wt % to 100 wt %, based on the total warp yarn weight of the core section.
11. The chain link of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the warp yarn A in each of the longitudinal edge sections is in a range of 0 wt % to 100 wt %, based on the total warp yarn weight of each longitudinal edge section.
12. The chain link according to claim 1 , wherein the strip has a longitudinal axis and forms a plurality of convolutions, wherein each convolution of the strip comprising a twist along the longitudinal axis of the strip, the twist being an odd multiple of 180 degrees.
13. The chain link of claim 12 , wherein the chain link comprises at least 4 convolutions.
14. The chain link of claim 1 , wherein the warp yarns have different minimum creep rates, measured at a tension of 900 MPa and a temperature of 30° C.
15. The chain link of claim 14 , wherein the warp yarns A and B have different minimum creep rates, measured at a tension of 900 MPa and a temperature of 30° C.
16. The chain link of claim 1 , wherein the warp yarns in the at least two longitudinal edge sections have a length which is greater than a length of the warp yarn in the core section of the strip.
17. The chain link according to claim 1 , wherein the strip is a woven structure.
18. The chain link of claim 1 , wherein the titer of the warp yarn A is in the range of from 2000 dtex to 5000 dtex.
19. The chain link according to claim 18 , wherein the titer of the warp yarn A is in the range in the range of from 2000 dtex to 3000 dtex.
20. The chain link of claim 1 , wherein the titer of the warp yarn B is in the range of from 700 dtex to 7500 dtex.
21. The chain link of claim 20 , wherein the titer of the warp yarn B is in the range between 800 dtex and 3000 dtex.
22. The chain link of claim 1 , wherein the strip in the chain link has a substantially elliptic cross-section.
23. A chain comprising a plurality of chain links, wherein at least one of the chain links is the chain link according to claim 1 .
24. A chain comprising at least two interconnected chain links, wherein each of the interconnected chain links is the chain link according to claim 1 .
25. A method for enhancing the strength of a chain which comprises:
(a) providing the chain according to claim 24 , and
(b) pre-stretching the chain before use at a temperature below a melting temperature of the yarns.
26. A strip comprising:
a longitudinal core section, and
longitudinal edge sections, wherein
the core section has a thickness which is greater than a thickness of the edge sections, wherein
the strip comprises warp yarns containing warp yarn A and warp yarn B, wherein
the warp yarn A has a titer which is greater than a titer of the warp yarn B, and wherein
the warp yarn A is present in the core section at a concentration which is greater than a concentration of the warp yarn A in the edge sections of the strip, and wherein
the warp yarn B is present in the edge sections at a concentration which is greater than a concentration of the warp yarn B in the core section of the strip.
27. A method of manufacturing a chain link comprising winding and fusing the strip of claim 26 .