There are two types of links alternating in the bush roller chain. The first type is inner links, having two inner plates held together by two Conveyor Chain sleeves or bushings where rotate two rollers. Internal links alternate with the next type, the outer links, comprising two external plates held jointly by pins passing through the bushings of the inner links. The “bushingless” roller chain is comparable in operation though not in structure; instead of individual bushings or sleeves holding the inner plates jointly, the plate includes a tube stamped into it protruding from the hole which serves the same purpose. It has the benefit of removing one step in assembly of the chain.

The roller chain design reduces friction compared to simpler designs, leading to higher efficiency and less wear. The original power transmission chain types lacked rollers and bushings, with both inner and outer plates kept by pins which straight contacted the sprocket teeth; nevertheless this configuration exhibited extremely rapid use of both sprocket tooth, and the plates where they pivoted on the pins. This issue was partially solved by the development of bushed chains, with the pins keeping the outer plates passing through bushings or sleeves connecting the internal plates. This distributed the wear over a larger area; however the tooth of the sprockets still wore more rapidly than is appealing, from the sliding friction against the bushings. The addition of rollers around the bushing sleeves of the chain and provided rolling contact with one’s teeth of the sprockets resulting in excellent resistance to put on of both sprockets and chain aswell. There is even suprisingly low friction, so long as the chain is definitely sufficiently lubricated. Continuous, clean, lubrication of roller chains is definitely of major importance for efficient procedure along with correct tensioning.