How does chain pitch influence the maximum permissible speed in a chain drive?

• A. Larger pitch supports higher speeds and lower torque.
• B. Pitch has no effect on speed.
• C. Smaller pitch supports higher speeds; larger pitch is for lower speeds and higher torque.
• D. Pitch only affects noise.

Answer: (C)

Chain pitch is about how finely the chain meshes with the sprocket teeth, which determines how many teeth share the load and how smoothly the chain follows the teeth at speed. A smaller pitch means more links and more teeth engaging on the same sprocket, so the load is spread over more contact points. That lowers the peak stress on any single tooth, reduces impact when teeth engage, and helps the chain track reliably at higher speeds. Because of this, a finer pitch enables higher permissible speeds.

Conversely, a larger pitch has fewer teeth in contact at any moment, concentrates load on fewer teeth, and increases the stress and shock of engagement. That makes high-speed operation harder and limits speed, while the stronger, heavier links are better suited to higher torque at lower speeds. Pitch also influences noise, but it is not the sole or primary factor in speed capability.

So the best choice is that smaller pitch supports higher speeds, while larger pitch is for lower speeds and higher torque.