Grade 80 Chains
Grade 80 chains are generally used alongside cranes or lifting equipment, acting as a sling for general lifting. The fact that they are grade 80 means they are very strong and their purposes will be varied; they can have many different applications in lifting, from rigging to general lifting on site. The fact that they are chains means that they can be used as slings, or they might also be used in a more general sense for securing loads, lifting, moving, manoeuvring and more. They are very useful pieces of equipment to have around and they are so multifaceted in their design.
Some grade 80 chains are made more like lifting slings, so there will be the choice of the number of legs that is needed in the first place. There is the option of one leg, two legs, three legs or four, giving you choice and versatility depending on what you want to achieve with your lifting. The most important thing is that the lifting chain or chain sling that you select is going to be fit for purpose and you can use it to do what you need successfully and safely.
Grade 80 chains are often used in the trucking and logistics industry, as they might have a clevis grab hook in place. If so, they can be used to secure heavy loads and tie down industrial equipment safely. Other applications include towing and recovery because the strength and weight capacity will make them suitable.
In general, grade 80 chains will be made of a material like alloy steel and it will usually be heat treated. If you are using a chain for a specific purpose, find out more about what exactly it is and how it has been made to ensure quality. Don’t forget that as with any kind of lifting sling or equipment, the chain should come with all verification, paperwork and guarantees. Pay attention to the temperature ranges too depending on the kind of environment where you plan on using the chain. Some can be used in temperatures as low as -40° and up to more than 400°. There are various chain diameters that can be chosen at the time of purchasing, from 7mm up to 32mm. Length is another consideration and grade 80 chains come in lengths from 1m, up to 10m or more depending on needs.
What is the difference between a grade 80 chain and other grades of chain? The other grades that you can get are grade 30, grade 43, grade 70 and grade 100. As you can see from this, grade 80 is close to top of the range. This means it will be a very strong type of chain that is reliable for many industrial requirements. If a higher grade is needed then a grade 100 chain should be capable of getting the job done, as it will be around 25% stronger than a grade 80 chain. The heavier duty chains are usually used more like slings, for applications that involve overhead hoisting, rigging, lifting, moving and other similar uses. Whatever the grade, a suitable chain can always be found.