The black Tar coating, using coal tar pitch or epoxy zinc-rich primer, creates a physical barrier that can reduce the seawater corrosion rate by approximately 40%.

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Jul 30, 2025

Original Anchor Chain VS. Black Tar Anchor Chain

In the shipbuilding and offshore engineering sectors, the choice between Original and black Tar anchor chain isn't a simple "superiority" debate; it's a precise match based on quality control logic, project suitability, and lifecycle costs. The following analysis, focusing on core value dimensions, will help you make a more rational decision:

I. Quality Control: The Transparency Advantage of Original Anchor Chain

1. Immediacy of Defect Exposure

The uncoated nature of original anchor chain makes it a "natural microscope" for quality inspection. For example, during acceptance inspection of a original anchor chain for a special engineering vessel, a visual inspection revealed a 0.3mm lack of fusion defect in the link weld, effectively preventing a potential breakage. A black Tar coating, however, can mask similar defects, increasing the missed detection rate by 25%-30%. This transparency is particularly useful in safety-critical applications such as military vessels and nuclear power platforms.

2. Traceability of Materials and Processes

The original surface directly reflects the steel composition (such as the quenching mark of high-strength alloy steel) and the effects of heat treatment (such as the tempered color after quenching and tempering). An offshore wind power project used the metallic luster of its natural-color anchor chain to verify that the surface hardness of the chain links met the standard of HRC38-42, thus avoiding mooring failures caused by substandard material properties.

II. Project Suitability: The "Protection-Economy" Balance of Black Tar Anchor Chain

1. A Cost-Effective Choice for Basic Corrosion Protection

The black Tar coating, using coal tar pitch or epoxy zinc-rich primer, creates a physical barrier that can reduce the seawater corrosion rate by approximately 40%. In freshwater environments or for short-term use, the maintenance cycle of a black Tar anchor chain can be extended to 12-18 months, reducing downtime for maintenance by over 50% compared to the 6-8-month maintenance cycle of a original anchor chain. For example, after adopting black Tar anchor chain, an inland shipping company reduced annual maintenance costs per vessel by 120,000 yuan while meeting the corrosion protection level requirements for mooring equipment in the "Technical Rules for Mandatory Inspection of Inland Vessels."

2. Brand Value through Visual Uniformity

Black Tar allows for a uniform anchor chain color (such as pure black, dark gray, or military green), meeting the branding needs of high-end vessels or offshore platforms. A luxury yacht manufacturer customized anchor chains with a matte black paint, creating a contrasting material with the carbon fiber hull components, thereby increasing the product's price premium by 15%-20%. The silver-gray metallic sheen of original anchor chains is more suitable for industrial applications (such as construction platforms and icebreakers), emphasizing functionality over appearance. 

III. Lifecycle Cost: The "Customization Flexibility" of Natural-Colored Anchor Chains

1. Avoiding Redundant Costs of Secondary Processing

If a customer requires customized treatments such as hot-dip galvanizing, special coatings (such as anti-marine biofouling paint), or oil-impregnated wax sealing, Original anchor chains can be used directly as a "neutral base," eliminating the need for additional polishing and black paint, reducing repetitive processes and material waste. For example, an offshore wind power project required zinc-aluminum coating of the anchor chain. Using Original anchor chains shortened the construction period by 20% and reduced costs by 12%. Black Tar anchor chains, on the other hand, required sandblasting to remove the paint, adding 800-1200 yuan per ton to the cost of processing.

2. Dual Benefits of Environmental Protection and Compliance

Black Tar contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can generate dust pollution when removed by sanding. Customizing original anchor chains is more in line with green manufacturing trends. A European shipyard, by adopting a custom solution for natural anchor chains, reduced annual carbon emissions by 18 tons by eliminating paint treatment steps while also meeting the EU Ship Recycling Directive's restrictions on hazardous substances.

BLACK TAR anchor chain

IV. Decision Logic: Tiered Recommendations Based on Priority Needs

1. Scenarios for Preferring Original Anchor Chain

Quality-Sensitive: Military vessels and specialized projects (such as nuclear power platforms and deep-sea drilling vessels) require strict quality inspection and material traceability;

Customization: Requires hot-dip galvanizing, special coatings, or oil impregnation, and has tight project deadlines;

Environmentally Compliant: Exports to regions with strict VOC emission limits, such as the EU and North America. 2. Scenarios for Preferring Black Painted Anchor Chain 

Cost-Sensitive: Commercial vessels and inland waterways, seeking a balanced lifecycle cost; 

Appearance-Oriented: Luxury yachts and offshore platforms, requiring a consistent visual style; 

Moderate Corrosion: Marine environments with acceptable maintenance cycles (e.g., 12-18 months). 

Conclusion: Quality is the Bottom Line, Demand is the Guide 

Whether it's the "transparent quality inspection" of a originalanchor chain or the "protective and aesthetically pleasing" design of a black Tar anchor chain, they essentially respond to project requirements. We recommend that customers conduct a full lifecycle cost analysis (LCC) based on specific operating conditions (such as corrosion level, maintenance capacity, and budget), and prioritize sample testing (such as salt spray testing and tensile testing) to verify the alignment of anchor chain performance with requirements. For example, an icebreaker project, after testing in a simulated -40°C Arctic environment, found that original anchor chain exhibited superior low-temperature toughness over black-painted chain. The original option was ultimately chosen to ensure safe polar operations.

 

Finally, we consistently adhere to a "customer-centric" approach, providing comprehensive services from material selection and surface treatment to customized packaging. If you need further technical support, please contact us for personalized solutions - because true professionalism lies in making every anchor chain a "silent guardian" of project safety.


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