What is the difference between riveted and cottered chain?
Riveted chain is constructed using pins that extend through the plate on each side a small amount and are then “riveted”, or sidemashed, on their ends to add some additional strength to the hold between the pin and plate. Note; the riveting, sidemashing, is NOT what holds the pin and plate together, the interference fit between the plate hole size and the pin diameter hold the two together. Cottered chain is constructed using pins that extended through one plate a small amount and are sidemashed and the second side a further distance, with a cross drilled hole, for inserting a cotter pin. Note; cottered chain is also manufactured using an interference fit between the plate hole size and pin diameter, however the plate is easier to remove following removal of the cotter because grinding of the riveted pin end is not necessary.
