Anchor Chain Descriptions

[Cardinal]

I believe that Titan chain is a branded Rocna product. The Jimmy Green site so suggests.
The description of Titan chain on the Boat Gear Direct site differs greatly as does the price.
Can anyone give an authoritative account of the differences in these two apparently different, but similarly named chains?
I am in the market for some 10mm ISO chain so am keen to understand what are the options and the use of the Titan name with differing descriptions seems puzzling.

 

[macd]

I believe that Titan chain is a branded Rocna product. The Jimmy Green site so suggests.
The description of Titan chain on the Boat Gear Direct site differs greatly as does the price.
Can anyone give an authoritative account of the differences in these two apparently different, but similarly named chains?
I am in the market for some 10mm ISO chain so am keen to understand what are the options and the use of the Titan name with differing descriptions seems puzzling.

Can't help you with those questions, except to observe that 'Rocna', as in the inventors and original makers of the eponymous anchor, have to the best of my knowledge never made chain or even had it made.

But I'd suggest what we do know about anchor chain is that:
1. reported failures are so rare as to be almost insignificant (unless it's allowed to become a rusted husk of its old self);
2. Most complaints you encounter about chain are about the quality, or lack of it, of the galvanising. You might buy chain with some credentials for its strength rating, but it's vanishingly rare to encounter any about the zinc. Would that Titan, or anyone else, be different.

In the part of the world where I cruise, you largely take pot-luck on both issues. Maybe it's a little more rigorous where you are.

 

[Cardinal]

Mac, Thanks for you input. I did understand that failures were indeed rare, but my enquiries as to galvanising quality have as yet yielded no information so any others on here who can contribute to that side of things would be welcome to tell us their experiences.

 

[Neeves]

CMP, Canada Metal Pacific, have made Titan chain for a number of years, if not decades. I believe it was originally made in Canada. They moved their production to China and make now in the coastal city of Ningbo. CMP are also the licensors now for manufacture of the Rocna (and Vulcan) anchor which, I believe, is now made in the same, or adjacent, facility to the chain. Google for CMP and Titan and you will find the technical detail. They make the full range of both metric and imperial sizes and qualities. Note that G43 is made to a 3:1 safety factor and looks good compared to G40 metric which is made to a 4: 1 safety factor.

Titan is a CMP brand name but it is a common brand name, and for example it is also registered by another chain distributor in Australia - and the other chain maker has prior rights (in fact CMP may not have tried to register Titan in Australia). CMP also distribute Titan shackles, though they may not make them themselves - but they do come from China. Their shackles are not as good as Crosby shackle and as shackles are cheap - I'd buy assured quality.

As Mac says - chain failure is almost non existent now - the mode of failure is corrosion - the chain rusts. The chain rusts more quickly, or less so, as a result of the galvanising quality that is very variable - even from the same supplier. They will assure you they have a specification for galvanising quality - but any quantitative data is not available to the consumer.

Chinese made chain is generally of good quality, well over strength. Galvanising quality from China is also good.

CMP chain has been very good, in terms of strength in the past and in general their galvanising has also been good - but as I say galvanising quality from one manufacturer is very variable - its all a lottery.

CMP chain is well marked, with CMP in some of the links and the chain quality also marked, so G3 or G30 etc. In general much Chinese chain from unknown sources is not marked.

I would not recommend Maggi chain, that Jimmy Green also sell (or used to) reports of galvanising quality are not encouraging and last reports (a couple of months ago) were they had gone into administration - though in Italy this seems to mean they carry on but under an administrator.

Prices here, in Oz, vary - it is possible to buy good quality unbranded Chinese chain with good galvanising at around 50% of the price of CMP Titan chain. It is also possible to buy rubbish Chinese chain for the same sort of price, half that of CMP. CMP Titan chain is priced at just less than good quality Australian made chain (which as I'm testing now, the Oz chain, has exceptionally good gal quality).

Viv did some tests on chain a few years ago - its worth checking his website as it provides detail of quality and a simple test to check for some aspects of gal quality.

If you can borrow a coating thickness meter you could check gal quality in the store for thickness - and abrasion resistance is largely a function of gal thickness. Coating thickness meters measure coating thickness over steel - I don't know if you might be able to rent one (they are very simple). I have one - but not much use to you .

If you buy chain I suggest you ask for sight of the quality certificate that should come with every shipment. If it is not available - I'd wonder why. The certificate might be meaningless but its better than assuming everything is fine.

Its a lottery!

Jonathan

 

[Cardinal]

Jonathan,
Many thanks for your very helpful account notwithstanding that the "lottery" element seems difficult to escape entirely.
I have been trying to access the Cox Engineering site to re-read the advice there, but only get a Microsoft log in invitation which seems inappropriate. Perhaps someone knows how to get round that?

 

[macd]

Cardinal: Vyv's site has moved because Sharepoint is closing (or something).

It's now here: http://coxeng.co.uk

 

[Cardinal]

Mac, Thanks. I had found that the link in Vyv's posts was still effective and it is google searches which lead one up a blind alley (which may not be a novel outcome!).