[Problem] To provide a chain link which can improve wear resistance even under lubricating conditions in adhesive mode. [Solution] Steel link plates 2 for a silent chain having pinholes 22 for inserting linking pins 3 are formed. A hardened layer obtained by performing heat treatment (martempering, for example) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the pinholes 22, and a large number of hard particles hp having the same hardness as or a greater hardness than the surface hardness of said hardened layer are dotted in a crystalline state within the martensite structure on the surface layer section of the hardened layer. The hard particles hp are an oxide, carbide or nitride of any element from Cr, V, Ti and Nb which was originally present in the steel of the link plate material.