There are two types of links alternating in the bush roller chain. The 1st type is internal links, having two internal Drive Chain plates held jointly by two sleeves or bushings where rotate two rollers. Inner links alternate with the next type, the external links, comprising two external plates held with each other by pins passing through the bushings of the internal links. The “bushingless” roller chain is comparable in procedure though not in building; instead of separate bushings or sleeves holding the inner plates jointly, the plate includes a tube stamped involved with it protruding from the hole which serves the same purpose. It has the advantage of removing one part of assembly of the chain.

The roller chain design reduces friction compared to simpler designs, resulting in higher efficiency and less wear. The initial power transmission chain types lacked rollers and bushings, with both the inner and outer plates kept by pins which directly contacted the sprocket tooth; however this configuration exhibited incredibly rapid put on of both the sprocket the teeth, and the plates where they pivoted on the pins. This issue was partially solved by the development of bushed chains, with the pins keeping the outer plates moving through bushings or sleeves connecting the internal plates. This distributed the use over a larger area; however the tooth of the sprockets still wore more rapidly than is desired, from the sliding friction against the bushings. The addition of rollers around the bushing sleeves of the chain and provided rolling contact with the teeth of the sprockets leading to excellent resistance to wear of both sprockets and chain aswell. There is even very low friction, so long as the chain is certainly sufficiently lubricated. Constant, clean, lubrication of roller chains is definitely of main importance for efficient procedure along with correct tensioning.