Anchor Chain For Extended Use In UK

[Storyline]

There used to be a chain making foundry in France. Jimmy Green sourced our 3/8th chain for us from there. Not sure if it still exists as I notice JG now supply Maggi chain. fwiw our chain is now 5 years old and not a trace of rust.

 

[Neeves]

Neeves...
I don't have any knowledge of anchor chain suffering embrittlement, but I do of other things made from Hi carbon steel.
But anchor chain is such a minority of steel that is galvanized... There's about 800,000 tonnes a year of steel galvanized in the UK. Nt a high percentage of that is chain.

Galvanized steel submerged in sea water corrodes at very different rates in different place. The worst (fastest) rate is in the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea area.
Galvanizing normally protects best after it has formed a layer of oxide products on its surface. Shiney galv corrodes quickly.

Thanks Geoff,

Interesting stuff,

I recall reading a thread on chain and someone was querying why their new chain was all dull and fearing it was not as good as the new shiny stuff! I might guess that the Arabian Gulf/Persian Sea suffers both higher(er) temperature and higher salinity (and has lots of marine activity using chains from where reports emanate).

Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

There used to be a chain making foundry in France. Jimmy Green sourced our 3/8th chain for us from there. Not sure if it still exists as I notice JG now supply Maggi chain. fwiw our chain is now 5 years old and not a trace of rust.

I looked a good few months ago and there seemed to be at least 2 chain makers in France (though either or both could be importing and selling under their own name). One was called Chaineries Limousines. But in chandleries on the Med, at least one French chain maker had a good reputation - but it was too peripheral for me to investigate with much enthusiasm. Maggi came over well in many places. And Storyline's experience sounds good.

Many of you are lucky enough to treat the Med like a home cruising ground, someone must know

Jonathan

 

[vyv_cox]

Neeves...
I don't have any knowledge of anchor chain suffering embrittlement, but I do of other things made from Hi carbon steel.

Even G70 chain is not high carbon, in fact it qualifies as mild steel, having about 0.2% carbon. The manganese content is raised and it is heat treated. I believe there are rules relating to all anchoring gear that limit carbon content to 0.23% maximum, but I have no idea whose rules they might be and very clearly cast iron copy anchors do not comply.

 

[Neeves]

Quote Originally Posted by MM5AHO

I don't have any knowledge of anchor chain suffering embrittlement, but I do of other things made from Hi carbon steel.


[QUOTE=vyv_cox

Even G70 chain is not high carbon, in fact it qualifies as mild steel, having about 0.2% carbon. The manganese content is raised and it is heat treated. I believe there are rules relating to all anchoring gear that limit carbon content to 0.23% maximum,

There seems to be a contradiction here

Jonathan

 

[chrisbitz]

I read a comment on the first page of this,suggesting that it's good practice to rinse the chain with fresh water, and dryit on the deck before putting it away..

Are most anchor lockers airtight, as mine has vent holes in the top, and would regularly get buckets of seawater thrown over it in splashy weather, which would then drain out the drain hole at the bottom..

I would imagine that without those vents, it would be even worse with sealed moist salty air?

Should I modify anything or is that a tip for huge boats?

 

[Neeves]

chrisbitz - I read the same quote but I am sure it was suggested drying the chain in the sun - which I thought to be an unlikely remedy for most of you

Jonathan