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How does that work then?
Magic
Phosphor bronze bushes?
made of cheese ?
The ones I've seen have had grease pre-squirted into the bushes before assembly.
The ones I've seen have had grease pre-squirted into the bushes before assembly.
Wouldn't that be pre-lubricated and not self lubricating then?
How do they work?
There are two main methods of achieving 'lubrication-free' steel roller chain and both involve internal lubrication between the load bearing surfaces, i.e. between the chain pin, internal bushing and the roller. As chain passes over a sprocket, particularly a driven one, it is these internal bearing surfaces that have to articulate under load. Given inadequate lubrication, these are the main areas of wear and the resulting chain elongation.
The first method for lubrication is to pack the rollers with a high viscosity grease lubricant that maintains internal lubrication, externally the chain is virtually dry to the touch and additional external lubrication is virtually impossible due to the inability to penetrate through the existing lubricant and is therefore generally not recommended. This type of lubrication does limit the temperature range of the chain and has a limited effective life span. Where there are any contaminants such as paper particles or general grit and dust present the lubricant can become contaminated or dry out and the wear rate of the chain is then significantly accelerated.
The second method of achieving internal lubrication of the chain is oil impregnation of the components during their manufacture known as sintering. The steel bushings are forged with lubricant actually included within the material structure of the steel. During operation, the lubricant forms a micro thin layer between the pin and internal roller surfaces. Meanwhile, the exterior of the chain is totally dry to the touch, a condition that stops it acting as a surface receptor for harmful contaminant particles. 🙂
Snake oil?
But in the end this is all useless unless you ride your bike in a completely dust, mud and water free enviroment.