Chains are one of the most versatile and reliable ways to lift, tension and tie down materials in a variety of applications. Chains are a robust tool that serves as a vital component across various industries. Understanding the different grades of chain and their applications you are helping to ensure safe, efficient, and economical use. Selecting an appropriate chain for your project or application must be based on load capacity, environmental considerations and industry-specific requirements. Historically, industry used any type of chain to lift something, tie down a load or tow a vehicle. Even though Chains have been around for hundreds of years, proper inspection, safety procedures and general standards of practice for chain were lacking.
Evolving Standards
In recent years, due to safety concerns and regulations, the industry has begun to differentiate between various materials and grades of chain and the specific applications they should be used for. Various industry bodies and regulatory agencies (included Standards Australia, ANSI, ISO, and ASTM) began to publish safety standards and regulations for the manufacturing, testing, use, inspection and repair of chain.
Characteristics
- Link Style (short, medium (regular), and long)
- Manufacturing Grade (commercial (non-rated), and lifting rated), and
- Chain Material (Stainless Steel, Low Carbon Steel, Specialized Alloy).
Link Style
- Short Link (Anchor Chain): Links are shorter and tighter, making the chain less prone to kinking but much harder to link with complementary hardware. It is the most common choice for specialized applications such as marine anchor chains and heavy-duty towing. Generally, this chain is rated.
- Medium Link (Regular Chain): Links are longer, which allows you to hook or attach other hardware onto the end of the chain. It is the most commonly used chain in virtually every generic application. This chain can be either commercial or rated.
- Long Link (Safety Chain): Links are the longest, which allows you to very easily hook or attach other hardware anywhere along the chain. It is the most commonly used in specialized applications such as Trailer Safety Chain.
Manufacturing Grade
Grades relate to alloy performance. Excluding Stainless Steel chain, safety measures have been implemented to place chain in Grades based on the ultimate breaking strength of that chain. Beyond utility chain, the numbers that we see today include G30, G43, G70, G80, G100 and even G120 among the common chain grades. The number after each letter is N/mm2. For example, G80 means that the maximum stress on the chain at ultimate strength is 800 newtons per millimeter squared.
Chain Material
- Stainless Steel (uncoated): The stainless steel is uncoated but forms a passive layer that resists corrosion better than any other conventional material.. This is available in two common grades A2/G304 and A4/G316 perfect for outdoor and saltwater environments. It has a bright smooth finish that can also be electropolished.
- Low Carbon Steel (Galvanised or Bare): Bare (or Black) is uncoated whereas Galvanization can be achieved by (1) applying Zinc via an electrical current (electroplating) or (2) dipping the chain in a molten zinc bath (hot-dip). Bare and Electroplated have a smooth finish while hot-dipped chain has a thick, highly durable coating perfect for outdoor and saltwater environments with a dull grey, slightly rough finish.
- Specialized Alloy (Galvanised or Bare): Bare (or Black) is uncoated whereas Galvanization is usually achieved by dipping the chain in a molten zinc bath (hot-dip). Subsequently the chain may be powder coated or finished in a chip resistant coating. Bare and powder coated have a smooth finish while hot-dipped chain has a thick, highly durable coating perfect for outdoor and saltwater environments with a dull grey, slightly rough finish.
Are your items in stock in Australia?
Yes, our stock of chain, fittings, hardware and various complementary lifting equipment is definitely IN Australia. Low Cost Wire is based in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney Australia.
How do I buy chain?
Chain is sold on drum or a ‘per meter basis’. Drum size varies by chain diameter and weight. ‘Per Meter Basis’ means that if you want ’20’ meters of chain simply enter ’20’ into the quantity box and we will send a single continuous 20 meter length. Certain chains in Trade Packs which offer volume based discount pricing