Description
Rubber Top Roller Chain — 08B-G1
The 08B-G1 rubber top chain brings non-slip product control and surface protection to 12.7mm pitch conveying applications — combining an ISO 08B roller chain base with a high-quality synthetic rubber pad vulcanised to every outer link plate.
Product Overview
The 08B-G1 designation breaks down into three elements. ’08B’ identifies the ISO 606 B-series roller chain base — 12.700mm pitch, the same as ANSI #40 chain in pitch value but with different roller diameter and inner width. ‘G’ indicates that the rubber top attachment is applied to the outer link plates of the chain — not a separate slat or carrier but a profile bonded directly to the chain’s own link plates. ‘1’ identifies the rubber top profile type: in G1 configuration, a single narrow rubber pad sits centred on each outer link plate, providing a gripping surface with a specific width and height profile optimised for small-footprint product contact.
The G1 profile’s narrow width makes it suitable for conveying narrow-bottomed products — small bottles, vials, cans, cartridges, and electronics components — where a wider rubber profile would extend beyond the product base and cause lateral instability. The controlled contact width also produces a predictable and consistent friction force, which is important in synchronised assembly line conveyors where the product must arrive at each workstation at a precisely defined position. The base 08B chain maintains its full ISO-rated tensile strength — the rubber profile is bonded to the outer plate surface without reducing the plate’s structural cross-section.
08B-G1 rubber top chain — single narrow rubber pad, every link attachment type
Dimensions and Specifications — 08B-G1
| Chain No. |
Pitch P (mm) |
Roller Ø (mm) |
Inner Width (mm) |
Pin Ø (mm) |
Pin Length (mm) |
Plate Depth (mm) |
Rubber Width W (mm) |
Rubber Height H (mm) |
Overall Width (mm) |
Q min (kN) |
Weight (kg/m) |
| 08B-G1 |
12.700 |
8.51 |
7.75 |
4.45 |
16.70 |
11.81 |
24.0 |
9.8 |
26.0 |
18.0 |
0.69 |
Rubber top chain conveying system — G1 attachment profile
Rubber Top Profile and Material
The rubber top material for standard G1 chains is a high-quality synthetic rubber compound — typically an NBR/SBR blend — with 80 Shore A hardness. This hardness provides the balance of grip coefficient and wear resistance needed for conveyor applications: soft enough to conform slightly to the product base for maximum contact area, hard enough to resist the abrasion from repeated product loading and the lateral scrubbing that occurs when products are diverted. The vulcanisation process bonds the rubber to the steel outer link plate at the molecular level — not adhesively — creating a joint that does not delaminate under the cyclic flexing of normal chain operation. Temperature resistance extends from −20°C to +80°C for standard rubber compound; food-grade NBR and silicone rubber options are available for food contact and elevated temperature applications.
Key Performance Benefits
🤚
Non-Slip Product Control
The vulcanised rubber surface maintains positive product contact through acceleration, deceleration, and inclined conveying — applications where smooth-surface chains allow products to slip and misalign.
🔇
Vibration and Noise Damping
The rubber profile absorbs micro-impacts at sprocket engagement and at product loading points, measurably reducing conveyor noise in production environments where operator comfort and noise regulations apply.
🛡️
Surface Protection for Delicate Products
Rubber’s natural cushioning prevents surface marking on bottles, cans, glass panels, electronics, and finished consumer goods that would be scratched or dented by direct contact with bare steel chain surfaces.
⚙️
Interchangeable with Standard Chain
The base chain dimensions match the standard ISO B or ANSI A series specification for the same pitch. Rubber top chains run on standard matched sprockets without modification — no special tooth form or hardware change required.
Applications
🍾
Bottling and Beverage Lines
Small bottles and cans benefit from the G1 profile’s narrow contact width, which grips the container base without extending beyond it. The rubber surface prevents scratching of labels and coatings on filled containers running at speeds up to 1,200 bpm.
💊
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Conveying
GMP-compliant conveyor lines handling blister packs, vials, and device kits specify rubber top chains for their combination of gentle product contact and positive position control — preventing the sliding and bunching that causes misfeeds in inspection, labelling, and cartoning machines.
📱
Electronics Assembly
PCB sub-assemblies, component trays, and finished electronics are conveyed on rubber top chains through automated assembly lines. The non-marking rubber surface prevents ESD risk and avoids the surface scratching that bare steel chains cause on painted or plated electronics enclosures.
🧴
Cosmetics and Personal Care Packaging
Pump-action bottles, spray containers, and cosmetic jars with textured or decorated surfaces convey safely on G1 rubber top chains without transfer marks or surface damage that would create returns and quality rejections.
Matching Components We Also Supply
◆
Matched Sprockets for 08B ISO Pitch
Standard 08B ISO series sprockets in the pitch matching 08B-G1. Full range from 9 to 90 teeth in simplex and duplex bore. No special tooth form required for rubber top chains.
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Rubber Top Connecting Links
Connecting links with the same rubber top profile as the main chain, maintaining a continuous and smooth conveying surface at the join point — critical for delicate product handling applications.
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Replacement Rubber Top Outer Link Sets
Individual outer link plate assemblies with pre-vulcanised rubber profiles for field repair of damaged rubber sections without full chain replacement.
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UHMWPE Chain Guide Profiles
Low-friction polyethylene guide rails in standard widths for rubber top chain conveyor systems. Smooth guide surface reduces lateral wear on the rubber profile edges on curved or side-loaded conveyor runs.
Customer Reviews
★★★★★
“We build automated bottling line conveyors and specify 08B-G1 as standard for our small container handling sections. The rubber profile width is exactly right for 25–50mm diameter containers — wide enough for a secure grip, narrow enough to avoid contact with bottle labels. Quality is consistent and the vulcanisation shows no delamination after 15 months of daily operation.”
S
Sophie Braun
Conveyor Engineer — Munich Packaging Machinery
★★★★★
“Specified 08B-G1 for PCB handling conveyors in our SMD line. The rubber surface is non-marking and prevents the ESD events we were seeing with standard chain. Compliance documentation for our ISO 9001 supplier audit was complete without additional requests.”
J
James O’Sullivan
Technical Manager — Dublin Electronics Assembly
★★★★★
“We run 08B-G1 on our blister pack conveyor through the inspection station. The chain maintains positive product position even at 120 packs per minute — no sliding or rotation of the blister at the inspection camera. Replacement interval is around 18 months at our duty cycle, which is acceptable for our maintenance planning.”
N
Nadia Petrov
Production Engineer — Minsk Pharmaceutical Plant
Frequently Asked Questions
What does G1 mean in the 08B-G1 chain designation?+
‘G’ indicates that a rubber top profile is bonded to the outer link plate of the chain. ‘1’ specifies the profile type — in G1 configuration, a single narrow rubber pad is centred on each outer link plate. G2 denotes a wider rubber profile that spans across the outer link plate and extends toward the chain edges; G2F5 adds a further stepped flange extending beyond the outer plate width. The G-number defines the rubber geometry; the chain base number (08B) defines the pitch and structural dimensions.
Is 08B-G1 compatible with standard 08B roller chain sprockets?+
Yes — the 08B-G1 base chain is dimensionally identical to a standard ISO 08B-1 roller chain. It runs on the same sprockets without modification. The rubber profile on the outer link plates does not affect the inner link-to-sprocket engagement geometry, which occurs at the roller-tooth interface on the inner side of the chain.
Can 08B-G1 chains be used in food contact applications?+
Standard 08B-G1 chains use NBR rubber compound lubricated with mineral oil — these are not approved for direct food contact. For food contact applications, specify the food-grade rubber variant (food-grade NBR or silicone compound with H1 lubricant). Full FDA 21 CFR and EU food contact compliance documentation is provided with food-grade orders.
What is the service life of the rubber top profile?+
In typical light-industrial conveying applications, the rubber top profile lasts 12–24 months before showing significant wear or hardening that reduces grip coefficient. In high-speed applications (above 0.8 m/s) or where abrasive products or cleaning chemicals accelerate rubber degradation, intervals of 8–12 months are more typical. The base chain generally outlasts the rubber profile by 1.5–2×, so it is common practice to replace only the outer link plates with fresh rubber top sections rather than the full chain at the profile’s end of life.
What is the maximum conveyor incline angle for 08B-G1 rubber top chain?+
The maximum practical incline angle depends on the product’s base friction with the rubber surface and its centre of gravity height. For most stable products (bottles, cans, cartridges) with an 80 Shore A rubber surface, inclines up to 15° are handled reliably. For products with a high centre of gravity or a smooth base, the practical limit may be lower. For inclines above 20°, a higher-friction rubber compound (60 Shore A) or the addition of rubber cleats between rubber top sections is the recommended approach.
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See also: what distinguishes specialty roller chain types.
