fearofpavement
Trying them all
In the aircraft piston engine industry, there have been numerous cylinder plating processes attempted. Channel chrome, where the cylinder is cut and then plated with a layer of chrome, has been utilized for many decades. There have been numerous other processes such as cermichrome, cerminil, nitriding, and a host of others that had mixed results. Metal coating processes are an ongoing experiment in many industries and my earlier comments weren't intended to indicate that an improved chain can't be developed. I was and am skeptical as to whether a new type chain, even if better, could break into a market where cost is one of the primary factors.
Some enthusiasts may be willing to spend more for "the better mousetrap" but in reality, how many on this forum have even purchased a readily available carbide chain? We know they are better for certain applications but most here make do with something less adequate but much cheaper.
A chain that stays sharp longer may appeal to someone that is in a production environment such as firewood processing machines, etc. For the average Joe, I don't think it would be an easy sell.
I had a friend that owned a plating business for several years and he finally got out of that industry because of the onerous requirements regarding dealing with all the hazmat resulting from the processes. So if a chain plating process is developed, it would probably require going offshore to have it produced to get to a price point that was feasible.
So to summarize, I think the biggest hurdle to surmount will not be developing a better chain, but marketing a better chain.
Some enthusiasts may be willing to spend more for "the better mousetrap" but in reality, how many on this forum have even purchased a readily available carbide chain? We know they are better for certain applications but most here make do with something less adequate but much cheaper.
A chain that stays sharp longer may appeal to someone that is in a production environment such as firewood processing machines, etc. For the average Joe, I don't think it would be an easy sell.
I had a friend that owned a plating business for several years and he finally got out of that industry because of the onerous requirements regarding dealing with all the hazmat resulting from the processes. So if a chain plating process is developed, it would probably require going offshore to have it produced to get to a price point that was feasible.
So to summarize, I think the biggest hurdle to surmount will not be developing a better chain, but marketing a better chain.