Change the time that the stop start stops the engine

[Will]

That's what chains do - and impulse forces too (camshaft rotation creates torsional spikes)

Poor oil a more likely cause.

Agreed - that cam chains cause any problems at all after a century plus of development is inexcusable.

Overshadowed in any case by diesel foibles.

Sure, but the impulse forces from the camshaft opening/closing valves are quite consistent with RPM. The initial slack and tension from an engine being cranked from rest could place some additional forces on the chain and each sprocket (and as I say, this can only get worse as it wears)

I’ve seen quite a few engines that have suffered premature wear and eventually chains either snapping or jumping teeth whereby the rest of the lubricated engine parts (ie bores, pistons, camshafts and valvegear were perfect). So not typically down to poor oil - that would probably affect other stuff first IMHO.

Agreed re: design flaws - eg simplex to duplex chains and then back to simplex again (cost, lower rotating mass, lighter weight, more efficiency etc) - until stuff goes wrong!

 

[Bellow]

I’ve seen quite a few engines that have suffered premature wear and eventually chains either snapping or jumping teeth whereby the rest of the lubricated engine parts (ie bores, pistons, camshafts and valvegear were perfect). So not typically down to poor oil - that would probably affect other stuff first IMHO.

I don't think it is that simple. Synthetic oil's weakness is its lack of 'solubility'. Solubility is what allows the various additive packages to be absorbed and retained in the oil and lack of solubility restricts the quantity of additives that can be added. Recall, oil is changed not because the oil is 'worn out' but because the additives have depleted.
Chains have different lubricating requirements from other components (that are typically force fed oil). There is a need for the oil to penetrate to the pin/bush area of the chain and stay there. For that latter aspect, a tackifier is of use. But if you are limited in your ability to treat the oil with sufficient additives in sufficient quantities, have no inclination to as you aren't intent on producing a 'long life' oil, and take the view that as half of engines out there still use cam belts - then tackifiers are unlikely to be high on the priority list.