Chain

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A chain^[1] is a serial assembly of connected links typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression, but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A chain may consist of two or more links. Chains can be classified by their design, which can be dictated by their use:

Those designed for lifting, such as when used with a hoist; for pulling; or for securing, such as with a bicycle lock, have links that are torus-shaped, which make the chain flexible in two dimensions (the fixed third dimension being a chain's length). Small chains serving as jewellery are a mostly decorative analogue of such types.
Those designed for transferring power in machines have links designed to mesh with the teeth of the sprockets of the machine, and are flexible in only one dimension. They are known as roller chains, though there are also non-roller chains such as block chains.

Two distinct chains can be connected using a quick link, carabiner, shackle, or clevis. The load can be transferred from one chain to another object by a chain stopper.

Uses for chains

Uses for chains include:

Decoration

Making a silver chain

Belly chain, a type of body jewelry worn around the waist
Jewelry chain, many necklaces and bracelets are made out of small chains of gold and silver
Chain of office, collar or heavy gold chain worn as insignia of office or a mark of fealty in medieval Europe and the United Kingdom
Decorating clothing, some people wear wallets with chains connected to their belts, or pants decorated with chains
Omega chain, a pseudo-chain where the 'links' are mounted on a backing rather than being interlinked
Tie chain, used to hold in place a tie to the underlying shirt front

Power transfer

Bicycle chain, a type of roller chain that transfers power from the pedals to the drive wheel of a bicycle, thus propelling it. The chain is made up of a number of rigid links that are hinged together by pin joints to provide the flexibility needed to wrap around the bicycle's gears.
Chain gun, a type of machine gun that is driven by an external power source, sometimes connected by a chain, to actuate the mechanism rather than using recoil
Chain pumps, a type of water pump where a loop of chain with inset discs is passed around then through a tube submerged in liquid
Chainsaw, portable mechanical, motorized saw using a cutting chain to cut wood
Timing chain, used to transfer rotational position from the crankshaft to the valve and ignition system on an internal combustion engine, typically with a 2:1 speed reduction.

Security and restraint

Ball and chain, a phrase that can refer to either the actual restraint device that was used to slow down prisoners, or a derogatory description of a person's significant other
Belly chain (or waist chain), a physical restraint worn by prisoners, consisting of a chain around the prisoner's waist, to which the prisoner's hands are chained or cuffed
Bicycle lock (or bicycle chain), lockable chain
Chain boom, large chains used to exclude warships from harbors and rivers
Chain link fencing, fencing that uses vertical wires that are bent in a zigzag fashion and linked to each other.
Chain mail, a type of armor consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.
Example of chain mail on samurai armor, consisting of a mesh of interlocking links. Chain mail was a common armor material around the world during the iron age, as it allowed for decent protection and mobility while usually requiring less materials and labor than plate armor.
Door chain, a type of security chain on a door that makes it possible to open a door from the inside while still making it difficult for someone outside to force their way inside
Gang transport chain, a chain used to shackle two or more inmates together for transport or work outside the facility, forming a chain gang
H-style restraints, a combination consisting of handcuffs on a belly chain with a connector chain running down to a set of leg irons
Leg iron chains (fetters), an alternative to handcuffs
Prisoner transport restraints, a combination which consists of a pair of handcuffs attached by a longer chain to a pair of leg irons
On chain-linked handcuffs, the cuffs are held together by a short chain

Traction, pulling and lifting

Anchor cable, or chain cable, as used by ships and boats; in British nautical usage the component is a cable, the material is chain
- Selected based on chain grade, diameter, coil, and either galvanized steel or stainless steel finish
Chain slings
Chain hoist, device used for lifting or lowering a load
Ball chain pull switch for a ceiling light
Chain boat, a type of river craft that used a steel chain laid along the riverbed for its propulsion
Chain-linked lewis, a self-locking lifting device particularly for stone using a chain link as a pivot
Curb chain, used on curb bits when riding a horse
High-tensile chain (or transport chain), chain with a high tensile strength used for towing or securing loads
Holding things up with its tensile strength, ranging from playground swings, to wrecking balls, to incense censers, etc.
Jack chain, a toothed chain used to move logs
Lead shank (or stud chain), used on horses that are misbehaving
Pull switch, an electrical switch operated by a ball chain
- Lavatory chain, the chain attached to the cistern of an old-fashioned W.C. in which the flushing power is obtained by a gravity feed from above-head height. Although most cisterns no longer work like that, the phrase "pull the chain" is still encountered to mean "flush the toilet".
Rigid chain actuator, a type of chain that only bends in one direction, allowing it to operate under compression
Snow chains, used to improve traction in snow

Weapons

Chain gun, type of machine gun that is driven by an external power source, sometimes connected by a chain, to actuate the mechanism rather than using recoil
Chain shot, a type of ammunition for a cannon, used to inflict damage to the rigging of a sail vessel in naval warfare
Chain weapon, a medieval weapon made of one or more weights attached to a handle with a chain
Kusarigama, combined a sickle and a chain with a weighted end. It was used in martial arts such as kusarigamajutsu
Kusari-fundo, also known as manriki-gusari, was a chain with weighted ends, employed by samurai and law enforcement for striking and entangling.
Chain whip, (e.g., seven-section whip) consists of metal rods connected by rings and is used for both combat and performance

Other uses

Chains are a standard component of the deflection assembly of disc golf baskets.
Chains can be used as a percussion instrument for special effects, such as in Arnold Schoenberg's Gurre-Lieder and Leoš Janáček's From the House of the Dead.
Keychain, a small chain that connects a small item to a keyring
Chain sinnet, a method of shortening a rope or other cable while in use or for storage
Chain stitch, a sewing and embroidery technique
Chains were introduced by Chanel as weights in clothes, to improve their overall look.^[2]^[3]

Types of chain

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (April 2021)

Ball chain, type of chain consisting of small sheet metal balls connected via short lengths of wire
Calibrated chain, a type chain where the link lengths are within a given tolerance, so that it reliably engages with a windlass.
Flat chain, form of chain used chiefly in agricultural machinery
Ladder chain, a light wire chain used with sprockets for low torque power transmission
Long link chain
O-ring chain, a specialized type of roller chain
Roller chain, the type of chain most commonly used for transmission of mechanical power on bicycles, motorcycles, and in industrial and agricultural machinery
Self-lubricating chain, type of chain that uses a bush to continually lubricate the chain
Silent chain, a type of chain in which the links engage the sprockets similarly to gear teeth
Stud link chain, a type of chain with metal between the sides of each link, keeping the attached links in place. This helps prevent bunching when the chain is run out from a storage bin, as for use in anchoring ships.
Short link chain, a chain where the gap between attached links is small relative to thickness.

Connections

Several methods are available to connect chain ends to each other or to other objects, and to apply a load to a chain away from the ends. These methods are usually specific to the type of chain, and must be of the correct size.

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (April 2021)

History

The earliest uses of the chain date to ancient Egypt (between 3150 and 332 BC)^[4], where it was used for moving water in the elevator systems. Such systems were also used in China, by the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD), to move water around rice terraces.

The metal link chain has been in use since at least 225 BC.^[5]

Symbolism

The prevalent modern symbolism is oppression^[6]^[7] due to the use for a mechanical restriction of the liberty of a human or animal.

Conversely, a broken chain can represent freedom or liberty from said oppression.

Chains can also symbolize interconnectivity or interdependence. Unicode, in versions 6.x, contains the U+1F517 🔗 LINK SYMBOL, which may show chain link(s). It may also denote a hyperlink.

Gallery

Silent chain
Rope chain
Twisted link chain
Wheat chain
Single jack chain
Double jack chain
Stud link chain
Ladder link chain
Foxtail chain
Rolo chain
Roller Chain

References

↑ "Chain". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
↑ "The Gilded Chain of Chanel". www.asg.org. American Sewing Guild. April 1, 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
↑ Sterlacci, Francesca; Arbuckle, Joanne (2017). Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry (2 ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. p. 107. ISBN 978-1442239098. Archived from the original on 2025-10-05. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
↑ "A Brief History of Chain". Leaf Chain. FB Chain. Archived from the original on 29 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
↑ As early as 225 BC, chain was used to draw a bucket of water up from a well. This very early bucket chain was composed of connected metal rings.Tsubakimoto Chain Co., ed. (1997). The Complete Guide to Chain. Kogyo Chosaki Publishing Co., Ltd. p. 240. ISBN 0-9658932-0-0. p. 211. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2006.
↑ The use the metaphor of chains to symbolize the oppression of the proletariat under capitalism. Howard, James. "The Communist Manifesto Symbols: Chains". LitCharts LLC. Archived from the original on 3 November 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
↑ The chains at the feet of the Statue of Liberty symbolizing freedom from oppression. Reneau, Annie. "A forgotten feature of the Statue of Liberty is an apt symbol for how we treat our history". Upworthy. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.

External links

Look up chain in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chains.

National Association of Chain Manufacturers, NACM Welded Steel Chain Specifications
Chain Grades and Links Explained Jamestown Distributors
"Chain" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). 1911.

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