Image: Wikimedia Commons

chain

A serial assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved

Entitytype of machine element widget decorationQ2397485

Instance of: type of machine element
, widget
, decoration
Subclass of: sequence
, assembly
, artificial physical object
+1 more

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

A chain is a serial assembly of connected links typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression, but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A chain may consist of two or more links. Chains can be classified by their design, which can be dictated by their use:Those designed for lifting, such as when used with a hoist; for pulling; or for securing, such as with a bicycle lock, have links that are torus-shaped, which make the chain flexible in two dimensions. Small chains serving as jewellery are a mostly decorative analogue of such types. Those designed for transferring power in machines have links designed to mesh with the teeth of the sprockets of the machine, and are flexible in only one dimension. They are known as roller chains, though there are also non-roller chains such as block chains.

Overview

All data

56 statements · 14% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Unicode character: ⛓
Has use: mechanical tension
energy transformation
traction
physical restraint
security
decoration
fence
Different from: Q16282166
Depicted by: Female Figure Breaking her Chains
Hashtag: chain
Members / parts: Q136031856

On other databases

32 identifiers linking chain across the web's reference databases

Data quality

statements

14%

externally sourced

Source last edited October 4, 2026. AIDB refreshes this page daily.

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AIDB. (2026). chain (Q2397485). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/chain-Q2397485