GENERAL
INFORMATION
WORKING LOAD LIMIT
The “Working Load Limit” is the maximum load in pounds which should ever be applied to chain, when the chain is new or “in as new” condition, and when the load is uniformly applied in direct tension to a straight length of chain.
PROOF TEST
The “Proof Test” is a term designating the tensile test applied to new chain for the sole purpose of detecting injurious defects in the material or manufacture. It is the load in pounds which the chain has withstood under a test in which the load has been applied in direct tension to a straight length of chain.
ANSI / ASME B30.9c-1997
Paragraph 9-1.4.2 “Mechanically assembled slings shall be comprised entirely of proof tested components.” Paragraph 9-1.4.2c “If untested components are employed, the sling shall be proof tested per Para. 9-1.4.1 prior to initial use.”
CHAIN INSPECTION
INSPECTION AND REMOVAL FROM SERVICE
PER ANSI B30.9
FREQUENT INSPECTION
Normal Service - Monthly
Severe Service - Daily to Monthly
Check chain and attachments for wear, nicks, cracks, breaks, gouges, stretch, bend, weld splatter, discoloration from excessive temperature, and throat openings of hooks.
1. Chain links and attachments should hinge freely to adjacent links.
2. Latches on hooks, if present, should hinge freely and seat properly without evidence of permanent distortion.
PERIODIC INSPECTION - INSPECTION RECORDS REQUIRED
Normal Service - Yearly
Severe Service - Monthly
This inspection shall include everything in a frequent inspection plus each link and end attachment shall be examined individually, taking care to expose inner link surfaces of the chain and chain attachments.
1. Worn links should not exceed values given in table 1 or recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Sharp transverse nicks and gouges should be rounded out by grinding and the depth of the grinding should not exceed values in Table 1.
3. Hooks should be inspected in accordance with ANSI B30.10.
4. If present, latches on hooks should seat properly, rotate freely, and show no permanent distortion.
5. Chains use OSHA and ASME regulations and safety information. See: OSHA 1926.2 (a) 4 and 1910.184 ASME B30.9 Slings ASME B30.10 Hooks
MINIMUM ULTIMATE LOAD
The “Minimum Ultimate Load” is the minimum load at which new chain will break when tested by applying direct tension to a straight length of chain at a uniform rate of speed in a testing machine.
ATTACHMENTS
Any attachments, such as hooks or links, should have a rated “Working Load Limit” at least equal to the chain with which it is used.
CAUTION
Only Alloy chain should be used for overhead lifting applications. It must be recognized that certain factors in the usage of chain and attachments can be abusive and lessen the load that the chain or attachments can withstand. Some examples are twisting of the chain; disfigurement; deterioration by straining, usage, weathering and corrosion; rapid application of load or jerking applying excessive loads, and sharp corners cutting action. Due to the crushing effect Grab Hooks have upon chain, the design factor of all chain assemblies must be reduced by 20% for the Grab Hook applications.
WORKING LOAD LIMIT
The “Working Load Limit” is the maximum load in pounds which should ever be applied to chain, when the chain is new or “in as new” condition, and when the load is uniformly applied in direct tension to a straight length of chain.
PROOF TEST
The “Proof Test” is a term designating the tensile test applied to new chain for the sole purpose of detecting injurious defects in the material or manufacture. It is the load in pounds which the chain has withstood under a test in which the load has been applied in direct tension to a straight length of chain.
ANSI / ASME B30.9c-1997
Paragraph 9-1.4.2 “Mechanically assembled slings shall be comprised entirely of proof tested components.” Paragraph 9-1.4.2c “If untested components are employed, the sling shall be proof tested per Para. 9-1.4.1 prior to initial use.”
CHAIN INSPECTION
INSPECTION AND REMOVAL FROM SERVICE
PER ANSI B30.9
FREQUENT INSPECTION
Normal Service - Monthly
Severe Service - Daily to Monthly
Check chain and attachments for wear, nicks, cracks, breaks, gouges, stretch, bend, weld splatter, discoloration from excessive temperature, and throat openings of hooks.
1. Chain links and attachments should hinge freely to adjacent links.
2. Latches on hooks, if present, should hinge freely and seat properly without evidence of permanent distortion.
PERIODIC INSPECTION - INSPECTION RECORDS REQUIRED
Normal Service - Yearly
Severe Service - Monthly
This inspection shall include everything in a frequent inspection plus each link and end attachment shall be examined individually, taking care to expose inner link surfaces of the chain and chain attachments.
1. Worn links should not exceed values given in table 1 or recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Sharp transverse nicks and gouges should be rounded out by grinding and the depth of the grinding should not exceed values in Table 1.
3. Hooks should be inspected in accordance with ANSI B30.10.
4. If present, latches on hooks should seat properly, rotate freely, and show no permanent distortion.
5. Chains use OSHA and ASME regulations and safety information. See: OSHA 1926.2 (a) 4 and 1910.184 ASME B30.9 Slings ASME B30.10 Hooks
MINIMUM ULTIMATE LOAD
The “Minimum Ultimate Load” is the minimum load at which new chain will break when tested by applying direct tension to a straight length of chain at a uniform rate of speed in a testing machine.
ATTACHMENTS
Any attachments, such as hooks or links, should have a rated “Working Load Limit” at least equal to the chain with which it is used.
CAUTION
Only Alloy chain should be used for overhead lifting applications. It must be recognized that certain factors in the usage of chain and attachments can be abusive and lessen the load that the chain or attachments can withstand. Some examples are twisting of the chain; disfigurement; deterioration by straining, usage, weathering and corrosion; rapid application of load or jerking applying excessive loads, and sharp corners cutting action. Due to the crushing effect Grab Hooks have upon chain, the design factor of all chain assemblies must be reduced by 20% for the Grab Hook applications.
| TABLE 1 MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WEAR AT ANY POINT LINK |
|
| Normal Chain or Coupling Link Cross Section (in.) | Maximum Allowable Wear Diameter (in.) |
| 9/32 | .037 |
| 9/32 | .037 |
| 3/8 | .052 |
| 1/2 | .069 |
| 5/8 | .084 |
| 3/4 | .105 |
| 7/8 | .116 |
| 1 | .137 |
| 1-1/4 | .169 |
| REFER TO ANSI B30.9 FOR FULL DETAILS | |
| Use of Spectrum 8 Chain Under Heat Condition | |||||
| Temperature of Chain | Grade 80 | Grade 100 | |||
| (Fº) | (Cº) | Reduction* of Working Load Limit WHILE AT Temperature |
Reduction of Working Load Limit AFTER EXPOSURE Temperature** |
Reduction* of Working Load Limit WHILE AT Temperature |
Reduction of Working Load Limit AFTER EXPOSURE Temperature** |
| Below 204 |
Below 400 |
None | None | None | None |
| 400 | 204 | 10% |
None | 15% | None |
| 500 | 260 | 15% | None | 25% | 5% |
| 600 | 316 | 20% | 5% | 30% | 15% |
| 700 | 371 | 30% | 10% | 40% | 20% |
| 800 | 427 | 40% | 15% | 50% | 25% |
| 900 | 482 | 50% | 20% | 60% | 30% |
| 1000 | 538 | 60% | 25% | 70% | 35% |
| Over 1000 |
Over 1000 |
OSHA 1910.184 requires all slings exposed
to temperatures over 1000º F to be removed from service. |
|||
| *Steelstran does not recommend
the use of Alloy Chain at temperatures above 800∞ F. ** When chain is used at room temperature after being heated to temperatures shown in the first column. |
|||||
ENGINEERING
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECTRUM 3
SPECTRUM 4
SPECTRUM 7
SPECTRUM 8
SPECTRUM 3
| Proof Coil -- Spectrum 3 Chain | ||||||
| Trade Size (in.) | Size Material (in.) | Working Load Limit (lbs.) | Maximum Inside Length (in.) | Minimum Inside Width (in.) | Maximum Length 100 Links (in.) | Weight Per 100 Feet (lbs.) |
| 3/16 | .217 | 800 | .98 | .30 | 98 | 39 |
| 1/4 | .276 | 1300 | 1.24 | .38 | 124 | 65 |
| 5/16 | .315 | 1900 | 1.29 | .44 | 129 | 100 |
| 3/8 | .394 | 2650 | 1.38 | .55 | 138 | 144 |
| 1/2 | .512 | 4500 | 1.79 | .72 | 179 | 250 |
| 5/8 | .630 | 6900 | 2.20 | .79 | 220 | 421 |
| 3/4 | .787 | 10600 | 2.75 | .98 | 275 | 649 |
SPECTRUM 4
| High Test -- Spectrum 4 Chain | ||||||
| Trade Size (in.) | Size Material (in.) | Working Load Limit (lbs.) | Maximum Inside Length (in.) | Minimum Inside Width (in.) | Maximum Length 100 Links (in.) | Weight Per 100 Feet (lbs.) |
| 1/4 | .276 | 2600 | 1.24 | .38 | 124 | 70 |
| 5/16 | .315 | 3900 | 1.29 | .44 | 129 | 106 |
| 3/8 | .394 | 5400 | 1.38 | .55 | 138 | 154 |
| 7/16 | .468 | 7200 | 1.40 | .65 | 129 | 205 |
| 1/2 | .512 | 9200 | 1.79 | .72 | 179 | 267 |
| 5/8 | .630 | 13000 | 2.20 | .79 | 220 | 402 |
| 3/4 | .787 | 20200 | 2.76 | .98 | 276 | 567 |
SPECTRUM 7
| Transport -- Spectrum 7 Chain | ||||||
| Trade Size (in.) | Size Material (in.) | Working Load Limit (lbs.) | Maximum Inside Length (in.) | Minimum Inside Width (in.) | Maximum Length 100 Links (in.) | Weight Per 100 Feet (lbs.) |
| 1/4 | .276 | 3150 | 1.24 | .38 | 124 | 81 |
| 5/16 | .343 | 4700 | 1.32 | .48 | 132 | 98 |
| 3/8 | .394 | 6600 | 1.38 | .55 | 138 | 141 |
| 7/16 | .468 | 8750 | 1.64 | .65 | 164 | 216 |
| 1/2 | .512 | 11300 | 1.79 | .72 | 179 | 246 |
SPECTRUM 8
| Alloy -- Spectrum 8 Chain | ||||||
| Trade Size (in.) | Size Material (in.) | Working Load Limit (lbs.) | Maximum Inside Length (in.) | Minimum Inside Width (in.) | Maximum Length 100 Links (in.) | Weight Per 100 Feet (lbs.) |
| 9/32 (1/4) | .276 | 3500 | .90 | .34 | 90 | 72 |
| 5/16 | .343 | 4500 | 1.00 | .48 | 100 | 108 |
| 3/8 | .394 | 7100 | 1.25 | .49 | 125 | 148 |
| 1/2 | .512 | 12000 | 1.64 | .64 | 164 | 243 |
| 5/8 | .630 | 18100 | 2.02 | .79 | 202 | 351 |
| 3/4 | .787 | 28300 | 2.52 | .98 | 252 | 584 |
| 7/8 | .866 | 34200 | 2.77 | 1.08 | 277 | 705 |







