Conveyors are the quiet workhorses of every packaging line. Bottles, jars and cans travel kilometres every week on them. The chain that forms the conveyor’s surface affects noise, wear, cleaning and how smoothly containers move from machine to machine. The two most common choices for bottle handling are stainless steel slat chains and plastic table-top chains. Each has a place, and the right one depends on your products and environment.
Stainless Steel Slat Chain
Stainless steel slat chains are made of flat steel plates linked by pins. They are strong, durable and handle heavy loads well. They resist cuts and impacts from broken glass, and they can withstand hot conditions and aggressive cleaning.
Typical applications include glass bottle lines, hot-fill lines, heavy containers and areas exposed to high temperatures, such as after a pasteuriser or near a shrink tunnel.
Plastic Table-Top Chain
Plastic table-top chains use moulded plastic links, often acetal or similar engineering plastics. They run more quietly than steel, weigh less and have lower friction. Lower friction means containers slide more easily when they accumulate on the conveyor, reducing pressure on bottles and power consumption.
Typical applications include PET bottle lines, water and soft drink plants, personal care products and lines where noise reduction matters.
Friction and Accumulation
When bottles back up on a conveyor, the chain keeps moving underneath them. High friction pushes bottles against each other, causing scuffing, tipping or label damage. Plastic chains generally reduce this problem. Steel chains can be lubricated to reduce friction, but lubrication must be managed carefully to avoid mess and contamination.
Wear and Lifespan
Steel chains last a long time in tough conditions but can wear out wear strips and guides faster. Plastic chains wear more quickly in abrasive environments, such as where glass fragments or sugar crystals are present. Selecting the right wear strip material for each chain type is important.
Cleaning and Hygiene
Both types can be cleaned effectively. Steel tolerates hot water and strong detergents. Plastic chains must be matched to cleaning chemicals to avoid degradation. Open designs allow water and debris to drain through, which helps hygiene.
Curves and Layout Flexibility
Side-flexing versions of both chain types allow conveyors to curve without transfers. Plastic side-flex chains are especially popular for compact layouts, letting the line wrap around obstacles while keeping bottles on a single chain.
Cost Considerations
Plastic chains often cost less initially and reduce power consumption. Steel chains cost more but may last longer in demanding applications. Consider the total cost over several years, including replacement, downtime and energy.
Lubrication Choices
Conveyors in beverage plants were traditionally lubricated with soapy water sprayed onto the chain. This works but uses water, makes floors slippery and can encourage microbial growth. Dry lubricants and lubrication-free chain materials are increasingly popular. Plastic chains often run without lubrication at moderate speeds, which simplifies housekeeping. If you are planning a new line, discuss lubrication strategy at the design stage because it influences chain material, wear strips and drainage. A dry or near-dry conveyor also makes the area around the line safer to walk on.
Mixed Solutions
Many lines use both. Steel in hot or heavy sections, plastic elsewhere. Matching each section of conveyor to its conditions gives the best overall performance.
Hilden designs and supplies bottle conveyors using both chain types, selecting materials based on container, speed and environment so that your line runs smoothly and quietly for years.