Abstract: A link chain is made of chain links connected by chain joints, a chain joint comprising at least one bearing and a pin guided in a pivotable manner and in contact with this chain joint bearing. At least one bearing surface of the pin or chain joint bearing has a hard material layer applied by a PVD process, formed from a compound including at least two metals and a non-metal, at least C, N or Si being selected as the non-metal and the two metals being selected from Cr, Mo, W, Ti, Cu, Zn, Zr, Ta, Nb, Al, B, V, Hf, whereby the two metals differ from each other and the first metal is present in the hard material layer in a crystal structure that differs from the crystal structure of the second metal.

Abstract: A link chain is made of chain links connected by chain joints, a chain joint comprising at least one bearing and a pin guided in a pivotable manner and in contact with this chain joint bearing. At least one bearing surface of the pin or chain joint bearing has a hard material layer applied by a PVD process, formed from a compound including at least two metals and a non-metal, at least C, N or Si being selected as the non-metal and the two metals being selected from Cr, Mo, W, Ti, Cu, Zn, Zr, Ta, Nb, Al, B, V, Hf, whereby the two metals differ from each other and the first metal is present in the hard material layer in a crystal structure that differs from the crystal structure of the second metal.

Abstract: Link chain with improved wear resistance as well as method of manufacturing such a link chain. For manufacturing of a link chain, several chain links (39; 40) comprising link pins (41) or plates provided with coatings being applied by means of a PVD process are assembled. The coatings consist of hard material layers and/or slide material layers. It is possible that no PVD coating is provided on a transition zone (1a; 4) of elements (41; 42) used for the manufacturing of the chain links predetermined for connection with another element (42; 41).