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About Chain Grading

Chain strength is identified throughout our website by

Working Load Limits* (WLL) - the higher the WLL, the stronger the chain.

(WLL Chart)


Gr 30

Proof Coil


A general purpose chain of standard commercial quality.  Made from low carbon steel, this chain is frequently used for fabricating tow chains, logging chains and, when appropriate, tie down or binding chains. Hallmarked every foot or so with manufacturer's symbol and grade marking: 3, 30 or 300. Not for overhead lifting.

More info:   Bulk packed    Specifications


BBB Anchor Chain


A compact (short) link chain of standard commercial quality.  Made from low carbon steel, this chain is used primarily for boat windlasses when hot galvanized. Hallmarked every foot or so with grade marking: 3B. Not for overhead lifting.

More info:   Bulk packed with Specifications


Gr 40

High Test


Strength levels are the same as Gr 43 but the dimensions of the chain links are smaller using ISO standards. Primarily used for boat windlasses, this grade has become a standard for that industry. The Grade 40 designation was exclusively used by ACCO Chain until 2005 to designate their High Test grade chain. They now use "43" in keeping  with the rest of the industry.  The chain is hallmarked "G4". Not for overhead lifting.

More info:   Bulk packed with Specifications     


 

Gr 43

High Test

 


This is a higher strength chain used for years in the trucking industry for tie downs that meet DOT specifications. Made from a higher carbon steel, its strength surpasses proof coil working load limits, size for size, by a factor of 2 to 1. Hallmarked every foot or so with manufacturer's symbol and grade marking: 4, 40, 43 or 400.  Not for overhead lifting.

More info:   Bulk packed      Assemblies     Specifications


Gr 70

Transport


As its name implies Transport Chain is used primarily to tie down loads on over-the-road equipment. The  yellow chromate (gold) plating makes it easily recognizable even from a distance. Made from heat-treated carbon steel it has about 25% more strength than high test chains. Hallmarked every foot or so with manufacturer's symbol and grade marking: 7, 70 or 700.  Not for overhead lifting.

More info:   Bulk packed      Assemblies     Specifications


Gr 80

Alloy


The first chain specifically designed for safety and approved by OSHA and other agencies for overhead lifting.  Its alloy, heat-treated steel makes it ideal for making lifting slings and heavy duty tow chains.  Hallmarked every foot or so with manufacturer's symbol and grade marking: 8, 80 or 800.Suitable for overhead lifting.

More info:   Bulk packed      Assemblies   Slings  Specifications


Gr 100

Alloy


This new innovation in alloy chain metallurgy provides about 25% higher working load limits over Gr 80 chain with some limitations reported in lower ambient temperatures.  Hallmarked every foot or so with manufacturer's symbol and grade marking: 10 or 100.  Listed as suitable for overhead lifting.

More info:   Bulk packed      Specifications



*WLL is sometimes called Safe Working Load (SWL)

 

THE MEANING OF CHAIN GRADE NUMBERS


The chain grade numbers which manufacturers use are actually one tenth of the actual grades. Therefore, our grade 80 is 800, grade 70 is 700, and so on.

 

The grade refers to the tensile strength of the chain. This is expressed in newtons per square millimeter (a newton is approximately 0.224805 lbs). The tensile strength is calculated by multiplying the grade times the area of the two cross sections of a link (see below).

(Area) 157.08 mm2 x 800 n (Grade)=125,664 newtons ultimate breaking strength
125,664 newtons x .224805=28,250 lbs ultimate breaking strength
125,664 newtons÷1000=125.66 kn (Kilonewtons)

 


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