Roller chain case hardening

[nvpF1crazy]

We are in the process of finding a place to manufacture our rear sprocket. One guy told us that he could make one using any grade of mild steel and even case harden the tooth. But the chain would also need case hardening. I've never come across this on the forums. Is this required?

Also is there a preferred mild steel grade for sprockets? Chromoly isn't available cheap to us and we're not too keen on 7075.

[dmacke]

Our team has never run a steel sprocket but I would imagine that you do not have case-harden the steel sprocket. All it would do would cause your steel sprocket to last longer than your chain (I would think) but you are supposed to replace the chain when you replace the sprocket anyways. Our team runs a 7075 sprocket and it works great. It wears faster than a steel sprocket but if you maintain your chain the 7075 will last. Our 7075 sprockets seem to last around 2 years, 1 year if being ultra conservative.