Chain element, chain pin, and method for producing same

Chain element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface layer (7) has a hardness of 1000-3000 HV, in particular, greater than 1500 HV.

Chain element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface layer (7) has a layer thickness from 1 to 25 μm, preferably from 5 to 20 μm.

Chain pin (4) for connecting at least two chain links (3) of a chain (1), which is formed from substrate material (5), in particular, steel, containing carbon, characterized in that it comprises a surface layer (7) containing boron and vanadium, wherein the surface layer (7) is formed by means of a method, wherein, in a first processing step, an intermediate layer (6) is formed that contains carbon and vanadium and is formed by at least one measure for diffusion of vanadium into areas of the substrate material (5) that are close to the surface and in a second processing step, the surface layer (7) is formed by the conversion of the intermediate layer (6) by at least one measure for diffusion of boron into the intermediate layer (6).

Method for the production of a chain element (2), in particular a chain pin (4), for connecting at least two chain links (3), formed from a substrate material (5), in particular, steel, containing carbon with a surface layer (7) containing boron and vanadium, characterized by the steps:

• preparation of a chain element (2) formed from a substrate material (5), in particular, steel, containing carbon,
• performance of at least one measure for diffusion of vanadium into areas of the substrate material (5) that are close to the surface for construction of an intermediate layer (6) containing carbon and vanadium and subsequent,
• performance of at least one measure for diffusion of boron into the intermediate layer (6), so that the intermediate layer (6) is converted into the surface layer (7) under the formation of the surface layer (7) containing boron and vanadium.