Abstract: In the case of a roller chain having pins, bushes, rollers, inner plates and outer plates, respectively two bushes are connected to each other by at least two inner plates and consequently form a chain link. A roller which surrounds each bush is mounted rotatably on the latter and respectively two successive chain links being connected to each other in an articulated manner in that each bush sits on one of the two ends of the bush protruding beyond the latter and two pins which are surrounded thus by two successive chain links are connected at least by two outer plates. The pins comprise austenitic stainless steel and their surface layer is formed by an S-phase of the austenitic steel which is obtained by nitriding.