A link chain or a chain link for scraper chain conveyors with vertical and horizontal chain links which are interlinked in an articulated manner for scraper chain conveyors for use in mining. In particular to horizontal chain links with front sections with a straight face zone and with longitudinal limbs, which connect the front sections around an oval inner opening and which are provided on their outer surfaces with a recess, wherein the rear sides of front sections delimiting the inner opening form a contact zone for circular arcs of vertical chain links. In order to improve the service life of the link chain, the rear sides, which face oval inner opening, of front sections are provided with a surface which has a hollow, which forms a central region of the contact zone, between a fillet cambered in a crowned manner.