MARITIME CHAIN
We produce our anchor chains based on the highest quality standard available on the market, the modern system based on European regulations.
Our facilities benefit from high production capacity, making us able to complete all orders on time both at EMEA and APAC locations.
OUR GRADE 2 REQUIREMENTS
Anchor Chain of the Grade U2, also known as K2, is one of the most common types of chain cables used in the maritime industry. It is the evolution of U1 offering the advantage of being high-tensile. There are different variants, such as the U2(a) grade, that are produced by Bilbao.
A Grade U2 anchor chain can elongate up to 30% of it's original length without suffering permanent damage. It is related to the reduction of area, which makes the chain able to undergo necking, which is a type of localized reduction in cross-sectional area.
Grade U2 chains can be manufactured with different steel casts, but here at Bilbao for quality reasons our preferred choice is S355J2 Non-Alloy Structural Steel. This steel cast contains silicon, which increases the strength of the material, and for corrosion resistance creates a thin protective oxide layer.
Our customers find it important that their chains are easy to weld on a challenging environment such as the maritime industry. We produce our Grade U2 chains with moderate carbon and low sulfur content to ensure that steel can be welded effectively without cracking.
Our anchor chains, including U2 ship chain cables, are manufactured according to ISO standards and can be certified with LS, ABS, DNV, BV and others, according to customer demands. We have strict QA procedures to ensure the quality and reliability of our chains.
Here at Bilbao Anclas y Cadenas not only we are able to produce U2 chain cables, but also their connectors and accessories. We produce Grade U2 shackles, Grade 2 swivels, 3 link adaptors and also crown shackles, which are connected to the anchor.
OUR GRADE 3 REQUIREMENTS
Grade 3 chain cables are also known as grade U3 or K3, depending on your country or certifying agency. This grade is referred to as the "Extra special quality" since it is more efficient than regular grade 2 chain regarding weight and efficiency parameters.
Regular HHP anchors require chain of the grade 2 minimum, however, anchors of the type Super High Holding Power SHHP should use chain cables of grade 3, also known as grade U3 or K3. This is not only for safety but also for efficiency, grade U3 chain has similar weight properties to SHHP anchors.
At Bilbao we can produce U3 chain with different steels, but our preferred choice is S690QL High-Strength Quenched and Tempered Structural Steel. Making a suitable balance between strength, ductility and weldability. These steels are relatively rich on manganese, improving strength and toughness.
Our Grade 3 chain cables have strict standards regarding elongation without permanent damage, in order to ensure proper daily operations and use on board. We have a minimum of 17% elongation requirement on our standard anchor chain cables of grade U3.
Chain connectors such as shackles and swivels are produced at grade U3 and are fit for use on anchor chain of the same grade. The most common types of shackles used on grade 3 are Joining Shackles type Kenter, which can also be substituted by Joining Shackles type D.
Our anchor chains of grade 3 are finished with a special deoxidation and fine-grain treatment, as well as they are quenched and tempered, and/or normalized. This is meant to ensure the high quality standards of our professionally produced grade U3 chain cables.