Description
Rubber Top Chain — 20A-G1
20A-G1 rubber top chain reaches the ANSI #100 pitch — the largest standard pitch in the rubber top chain range — providing 87.5 kN minimum tensile capacity with G1 rubber top protection for the most demanding heavy industrial conveying applications.
Product Overview
The 20A designation represents ANSI chain number #100, with 31.75mm pitch. This is the largest pitch in the standard rubber top chain family. At this pitch, the chain’s structural capacity — 87.5 kN minimum tensile — handles conveying loads that are simply beyond any smaller-pitch rubber top specification. Applications at this scale include the heaviest stone slab formats in natural stone processing, extra-large architectural glass elements for high-rise building facades, and heavy structural wood products such as glulam beams and cross-laminated timber elements.
The 20A-G1 chain brings rubber-top surface protection to these applications without requiring the buyer to source a custom chain outside the standard catalogue range. Its availability in standard lengths from stock means that replacement at maintenance intervals does not require extended lead times. The chain uses the same G1 narrow rubber top profile geometry as all smaller-pitch G1 chains — the only difference is the proportionally larger profile dimensions that match the larger outer link plate of the #100 pitch base.
20A-G1 — G1 narrow rubber top on ANSI #100 (A-series) base
Specification — 20A-G1
| Chain No. |
Pitch P (mm) |
Roller Ø (mm) |
Inner Width (mm) |
Pin Ø (mm) |
Pin Length (mm) |
Plate Depth (mm) |
Rubber W (mm) |
Rubber H (mm) |
Overall W (mm) |
Q min (kN) |
Weight (kg/m) |
| 20A-G1 |
31.750 |
19.05 |
18.90 |
9.53 |
38.22 |
30.00 |
48.0 |
16.0 |
60.0 |
87.5 |
3.73 |
Rubber top chain in production conveyor environment
Rubber Profile and Material Properties
20A-G1 rubber top chains use 75–80 Shore A NBR compound standard, with the same compound options as smaller pitch sizes: silicone for elevated temperature applications, 90 Shore A abrasion-resistant for stone and concrete environments, and food-grade NBR with H1 lubrication for food processing. At the #100 pitch, the outer link plate is substantially larger than at smaller pitches, providing the largest rubber bonding area in the standard G1 range. This large bonding area makes the G1 profile at #100 pitch particularly resistant to delamination under heavy product loads — the bond area per link is proportionally larger relative to the peel forces from heavy product contact than at smaller pitches.
Core Performance Advantages
🤚
Positive Non-Slip Grip
The vulcanised rubber surface grips product bases firmly at conveyor accelerations and on inclined sections where smooth-surface chains allow slippage — eliminating the positioning errors and product damage that result from uncontrolled sliding.
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Measurable Noise Reduction
Rubber’s damping properties absorb the micro-impacts at each sprocket link engagement, reducing conveyor operating noise at the product contact surface. In facilities with noise regulations, this can be a compliance factor.
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Surface-Safe Product Handling
Direct contact between bare steel chain and finished product surfaces causes scratching, denting, and marking. The rubber layer completely eliminates steel-to-product contact, maintaining surface integrity through the full conveyor run.
⚙️
Standard Sprocket Compatibility
The base chain dimensions are fully standard — the same sprockets used for the equivalent standard roller chain work without modification for the rubber top version. No hardware changes required for retrofitting.
Application Areas
Industrial conveyor application for 20A-G1
🏔️
Super-Large Stone Slab Handling
Extra-large granite and marble slabs at 40mm thickness in 3,000mm+ length require the full tensile capacity of the #100 pitch rubber top chain for safe conveying at production speeds.
🏗️
Glulam and CLT Beam Production
Glue-laminated and cross-laminated timber structural elements at lengths up to 20m and weights exceeding 500 kg require heavy conveyor chain capacity combined with the rubber top’s non-marking surface to protect structural wood finish quality.
🪟
Extra-Large Facade Glass
Monolithic glass panels above 6,000mm × 3,000mm for high-rise building facades require the 20A pitch chain’s load capacity for conveying through tempering furnaces and assembly areas.
⚙️
Heavy Industrial Component Lines
Structural steel fabrications, large castings, and heavy machined components are conveyed through manufacturing cells on 20A-G1 chains where the component weights push above the capacity of #80 pitch rubber top chain.
Rubber top chain on production line
Related Components We Supply
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Matched Sprockets — ANSI #100 (A-series)
Standard sprockets in the pitch matching 20A-G1. No special tooth form needed — standard ANSI #100 (A-series) sprockets engage rubber top chains correctly at the roller-to-tooth interface.
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Rubber Top Connecting Links
Connecting links with matching rubber top profile for a smooth, uninterrupted conveying surface at the chain join point.
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Replacement Rubber Top Outer Link Sets
Individual outer link plate assemblies with vulcanised rubber profiles for field repair of worn sections without replacing the full chain.
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UHMWPE Guide Rails
Low-friction polyethylene guide profiles reducing lateral wear on rubber edges in side-guided conveyor configurations.
Customer Reviews
★★★★★
“We handle granite slabs at 40mm thickness, some over 800 kg each. The 20A-G1 is the only standard rubber top chain with enough capacity — our #80 pitch chains were at 90% of rated load on our heaviest slabs. Switched to #100 pitch 20A-G1 and now operate at 48% of rated load with comfortable margin. No marking on our premium polished granite surfaces.”
M
Marco Esposito
Plant Director — Brescia Natural Stone Processing
★★★★★
“Cross-laminated timber elements up to 18m long and 12 tonnes are conveyed through our plant on 20A-G1 rubber top chains. The rubber protects the visible structural wood finish from contact marking that would require expensive rework. The #100 pitch base handles the load with room to spare.”
H
Henrik Andersen
Production Engineer — Oslo CLT Manufacturing
★★★★★
“Specified 20A-G1 for our extra-large tempered glass conveyor handling 6,000 × 2,400mm panels. At 19mm glass thickness these panels are extremely heavy. The #100 pitch capacity combined with the rubber top non-marking contact is exactly what the application requires. No alternatives at this specification level from any other supplier we evaluated.”
W
Wei Zhang
Technical Manager — Shanghai Architectural Glass Plant
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes 20A-G1 necessary versus 16A-G1?+
The sole reason is load capacity. ANSI #100 (20A) provides 87.5 kN minimum tensile versus 55.6 kN for #80 (16A) — a 57% capacity increase. When your conveyor chain tension calculation shows #80 pitch chain approaching or exceeding 50% of rated load under the heaviest product and conveyor geometry conditions, stepping to #100 pitch provides the necessary safety margin. The rubber top profile function is identical between the two sizes.
Are standard sprockets available for 20A rubber top chains?+
Yes — standard ANSI #100 (20A) sprockets from 9 to 72 teeth in carbon and hardened steel are available from us simultaneously with the 20A-G1 chain. No special sprocket is needed for rubber top chains — the rubber profile is on the outer plates and does not affect sprocket engagement geometry.
Is 20A-G1 available in self-lubricating specification?+
Yes — 20A SLR self-lubricating rubber top chains with oil-impregnated sintered bushings are available. At #100 pitch, the longer chain run common in heavy industrial applications makes self-lubricating chains particularly practical for reducing the maintenance burden on long runs where manual lubrication access is restricted.
What is the overall chain width for 20A-G1?+
The overall width across the G1 rubber profile for 20A-G1 is approximately 60mm. This is wider than smaller pitch G1 variants and should be verified against conveyor frame clearances before installation.
Can 20A-G1 be supplied in custom lengths for very long conveyor runs?+
Yes — 20A-G1 chains can be supplied in any length. For very long conveyor runs, we supply the chain in multiple coils with pre-installed connecting links at the joins, reducing the number of field-fitted connecting links required during installation. Specify the total chain length in pitches and the required delivery format (coil length per roll, pre-joined or separate) when ordering.
Get in Touch
Ready to Place Your Order?
Send us your chain specification and annual volume. Standard enquiries receive a quotation within 2 business days.
Further reading: when heavy-duty roller chain capacity becomes necessary.
