Roller Chains

Width is different.

From Wiki.

Upon further investigation, #40 sprockets and #41 chains are not compatable with each other. I found sprockets for #41 and #40 chain. The #40 sprocket takes a .312"dia roller while the #41 sprocket takes a .306"dia roller. How do you choose which one to use? The #40 is twice as strong as the #41. Is there another parameter to consider?

What is the application? The basis for choosing a chain and sprocket is going to be application and environment, serviceability, is the application critical, everything...

I'm using it as an X and Y-axis drive for a CNC router. It will be subject to rapid reversal. It has to be taut to eliminate backlash. I'm actually using #25 chain, but considering going to #40 or 41. The chain is stationary; the sprockets mesh with the chain similar to a rack and pinion drive.

do you feel the #25 chain is stretching?

how are the sprockets mounted? taperlocks have the least amount of runout

how do the adjusters work?

you might also consider synchronous belts, which will provide very good accuracy & low wear

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=7911&location_id=11536

I believe #41 is used for bicycles.

oilcan13

No. 41 chain is an oddball. Unless you are manufacturing something where a small savings per part is important, use No. 40 chain. It was likely developed to fill a gap between No. 35 and No 40 chain.

It seems to me that there is something else different about No. 41--it may be rollerless or have some other feature that makes it a little less costly to produce.

Jon.

#41 is considered a lighter product. It probably originated as a proprietary product specific to an implement manufacturer (New Holland and I.H. were infamous for including non-standard machined parts and bearings in their designs. HEAVY ROLLER CHAIN was introduced by I.H. to compete with aftermarket sales of standard varieties.) #41 DOES have the advantage of a slightly lower weight relative to length, and it is made in zinc and nickle-plated varieties (used on fertilizer spreaders). There is no difference in breaking strength between #40 and #41. Breaking strength is determined by the ROLLER PIN DIAMETER which is identical in both these configurations

41 is properitary developed size but has become commen as being used on bicycles. You are using 25 no. you can very well switsh to 35 or 40, which are standard products.