Abstract: Taking a scraper chain conveyor as the research object, this paper studied the performance analysis and structure optimization method for the scraper chain. Structure and shortcomings of the original scraper chain were analyzed firstly, and stiffness of the scraper chain was finite element simulated. Taking yield strength of the scraper chain as the evaluation index, the simulation results show that the maximum load that can be endured by the original scraper chain is 3.41×104 N. In order to improve stiffness of the scraper chain and working stability of the scraper chain conveyor, optimization structure of the scraper chain was proposed. The simulation results show that the maximum load that can be endured by the optimized scraper chain is 7.85×104 N. The optimized scraper chain was manufactured and utilized in actual production. The results show that the optimized scraper chain conveyor have advantages of stable operation, high efficiency and high stiffness. Properties of the scraper chain conveyor after optimization improved significantly.