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Jul 10, 2024
A lifting sling is a length of chain, wire rope or synthetic fibre that connects a load to a crane or hoist. The four main types are chain, wire rope, web (flat) and round slings; guides that group web and round slings together as synthetic slings count three types. Chain suits heavy, hot or abrasive loads, wire rope suits general lifting, and web and round slings protect delicate surfaces. The right choice depends on load weight, shape, temperature, surface finish and chemical exposure.
Slings are among the most widely used lifting equipment because they spread a load across several contact points instead of one. This guide compares the four types so you can match the sling to the job and avoid the common causes of failure.
| Sling type | Material | Best for | Typical temperature range | Surface care | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | Alloy steel, Grade 80 or 100 | Heavy, hot, abrasive loads (steel, castings, foundry work) | Up to 200 °C with no WLL reduction; WLL falls above that; not above 400 °C (EN 818-4) | Can mark soft or finished surfaces | Heavy; needs link-by-link inspection |
| Wire rope | Steel wire strands | General lifting of machinery, pipes, tanks | Fibre core about 100 °C; steel core higher with reduced WLL | Can mark surfaces; abrades on sharp edges | Kinks and broken wires cut capacity |
| Web (flat) | Polyester or polyamide webbing | Finished parts, painted or polished surfaces | About -40 °C to 100 °C | Gentle on surfaces | Cuts easily; degraded by UV and chemicals |
| Round | Polyester core in a protective cover | Awkward shapes, frequent use, tight spaces | About -40 °C to 100 °C | Gentle on surfaces | Lower capacity than metal; cut-prone |
WLL means working load limit, the maximum load a sling may lift in service. Figures are typical; always follow the sling's tag and the manufacturer's data sheet.
Chain slings are made from alloy steel links, usually Grade 80 or Grade 100, and are among the strongest and most heat-tolerant sling types. Grade 100 chain carries roughly 25% more load than Grade 80 chain of the same size, so a lighter sling can do the same job. RUD chain slings come as single, two, three or four-leg assemblies with master links and hooks, which lets one sling cover many load shapes. Choose chain when you need heavy duty lifting slings for loads that are very heavy, hot, rough or sharp-edged. Avoid it on polished or painted surfaces unless you add padding.
To understand how chain slings are specified, read the chain sling types guide.
Wire rope slings, often just called rope slings, are steel-cable slings that balance strength with flexibility, which makes them the usual choice for general workshop and yard lifting. The core matters: a fibre core is more flexible but tolerates less heat and crushing, while a steel core (IWRC) handles higher temperatures and heavier use. Sling eyes are made by splicing or swaging, and the termination must be rated for the same WLL as the rope. Choose wire rope for machinery, pipes and tanks where some flexibility helps. Retire it if you find kinks, bird-caging, broken wires beyond the limits in the manufacturer's data and EN 13414-2, crushed or corroded sections, or heat damage. Near welding or hot work, keep the sling clear of spatter and never let it carry welding current.
Web slings, also called textile lifting slings or industrial lifting straps, are flat polyester or polyamide straps that lift finished parts without marking them. Under EN 1492-1 the label colour shows the capacity, so a worker can read the rating at a glance: violet 1 tonne, green 2, yellow 3, grey 4, red 5, brown 6, blue 8 and orange 10 tonnes or more (vertical lift, straight pull). Polyester resists most acids but not strong alkalis; polyamide (nylon) resists alkalis but not acids, so match the fibre to the chemical environment. Keep web slings out of direct sun when stored, and never use one that is cut, melted or has damaged stitching.
Round slings are endless loops of load-bearing polyester fibre inside a protective cover, and they follow the shape of the load without creating sharp bends. The same colour code as web slings applies under EN 1492-2. Because the cover hides the core, a visibly cut or worn cover means the sling should be removed from service until a competent person has checked it. Choose round slings for awkward shapes, choker hitches and frequent handling. Avoid them near sharp edges unless you use sleeves or corner protectors.
Lifting slings connect a load to a crane, hoist or other lifting device so it can be raised, lowered or moved safely. Typical uses are lifting steel sections, machinery and engines in workshops, moving pipes and tanks, handling finished or painted products, loading and unloading trucks, and positioning heavy parts during assembly and welding. The right sling depends on the load, the environment and the surface, which the next section explains.
Answer five questions in this order: how heavy is the load, how hot is the environment, what is the surface like, what chemicals are present, and how many times a day will the sling be used?
| If your load or site is | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Very heavy, hot or abrasive (foundry, steel mill) | Chain sling | Highest capacity and heat tolerance |
| Mixed, general lifting up to medium loads | Wire rope sling | Good strength and flexibility |
| Polished, painted or finished parts | Web or round sling | Does not mark the surface |
| Irregular shapes handled many times a day | Round sling | Conforms to the load and is light |
| Acid or alkali exposure | Polyester for acids, polyamide for alkalis, or chain after checking the chemical | Fibre resistance differs by chemical |
| Above about 100 °C | Chain or steel-core wire rope | Synthetic fibres degrade |
The steeper the angle between the sling legs, the more tension each leg carries, so the WLL falls as the angle widens. For chain slings to EN 818-4, a two-leg sling is rated with a mode factor of 1.4 when each leg is up to 45° from the vertical and 1.0 when each leg is between 45° and 60°. Three and four-leg slings use 2.1 up to 45° and 1.5 between 45° and 60°. Never lift with legs more than 60° from the vertical, and always read the rating on the sling tag rather than assuming it. For multi-leg lifts, lifting points and spreader beams help control the leg angle.
A visual check before each lift catches most defects. A competent person must also carry out a documented thorough examination: under Section 29 of the Factories Act, 1948, lifting tackle must be examined at least once every 12 months and a register kept, and state rules or site policy may require shorter intervals.
| Sling type | Remove from service if you see |
|---|---|
| Chain | Stretched, bent, nicked or gouged links; wear beyond 10% of link diameter (check the manufacturer's data); heat discolouration; hooks with opened throats |
| Wire rope | Kinks, bird-caging, broken wires beyond the discard limit, crushed or corroded sections, heat damage, damaged terminations |
| Web | Cuts, tears, abrasion, melted fibres, chemical damage, broken stitching, unreadable tag |
| Round | Cut or worn cover, exposed core fibres, melted areas, chemical or UV damage, unreadable tag |
Choosing the right sling is not only about lifting the load, it is about lifting it safely every time. RUD India makes chain slings in single, two, three and four-leg configurations that can be specified to your loads and environment. Explore the chain sling range or contact the RUD India team with your load weight, lifting angle and operating temperature, and they will help you select the right sling.
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