The invention relates to a
chain link (1) for a link chain (2), the
chain link (1) having two limbs (4, 5) running parallel to one another which are connected to one another at their ends via rounded portions (6, 7). The limbs (4, 5) and the rounded portions (6, 7) of the
chain link (1) are circular in their respective cross sections (8, 9, 10, 11), the limbs (4, 5) having smaller cross-sectional areas (8, 9) as compared to the cross-sectional areas (10, 11) of the rounded portions (6, 7). The chain link (1) is produced by
radial forging with the following method steps: - providing a profile bar (18), the profile bar (18) being formed of a steel material, - inserting the profile bar (18) into a
radial forging machine (24) and performing a
radial forging operation with a lengthwise reduction of the
diameter (D18) of the profile bar (18), so that the profile bar (18) is axially oriented in the forged length portion, the
diameter (D18) being reduced at least in the region of the later limbs (4, 5), - removing the radially forged chain link semi-finished product (19) and shaping to form a chain link (1) and
welding terminal ends (23) of the shaped chain link (1).