Energon chain

Energon chains are restraining mechanisms from the Generation 1 continuity family.

If a Transformer needs to restrain another and more sophisticated means aren't available, they can always fall back on simply tying their enemy/opponent/victim up with energon chains. Energon chains are applied with the aid of a gun, which doubles as the chains' generator. If the gun is destroyed, so are the chains.

Fiction

The Transformers cartoon

After defeating them in battle, Megatron had a group of Autobots collected, wrapped up in energon chains and lined up for their execution. But before the Decepticons could fire at their helpless foes, backup arrived. With the Decepticons busy, Wheeljack made his way to his comrades. He dried and re-energized them, and this somehow made the chains disappear. Don't ask. S.O.S. Dinobots

Robots in Disguise cartoon

When the Predacons had captured Side Burn, Dark Scream shot him in energon chains. And when Optimus Prime came to rescue his soldier, he too was tied up. Megatron proceeded to beat up his enemy in preparation of killing him, but was prevented from doing so because Prowl destroyed the energon chain gun, thus freeing his commander and comrade. Sideburn's Obsession