Chain
Industrial Chain
With many chain options available, it's important to know the differences between grades so you choose the right one for the job. Every grade of chain has different uses and applications, but can generally be separated into three main categories: overhead lifting chain, transport chain, and other welded industrial chain types.
Work Chain Key Takeaways
- Only grade 80 chain, grade 100 chain, and grade 120 chain are approved for overhead lifting.
- Grade 70 transport chain is excellent for use in load securement and tie down applications.
- Stainless steel grade 30 chain is another tie down chain, commonly used in agriculture, automotive and marine applications.
- Other chain sizes, including grades 50 and 43 are available by special order - call our sales team for more information. Grade 50 stainless steel chain is approved for overhead lifting, while grade 43 chain is a tie down chain similar to grade 30.
Learn more about the industrial chain grades we offer by visiting our blog or watching the video below:
Buying Options for Commercial Chain
The industrial chain you need is dependent on your application - choose from several different buying options to get the correct chain length and hardware for you.
Bulk Chain
If you go through chain quickly or need it for multiple applications, save money by buying in bulk! Our industrial chain comes in a full drum or crate (and sometimes even a half drum).
The amount of chain per drum will depend on the grade and the size - we offer bulk chain in grades 70 (with a domestic option), 80, 100, and 120.
Chain by the Foot
If you don't need a whole barrel of chain, buy by the foot! This option makes it easy to get the length you need without a lot of excess waste. You can buy one long length to cut yourself, or multiple cut lengths - whether you need two 3' lengths of chain or one 5' and one 30' length of chain - and we'll do the cutting for you.
Precut Chain with Hardware
Premade tie down chains come in grades 70 - 120, offering a full range of working load limits.
Shop our full selection of standard and adjustable slings in one-leg, two-leg, three-leg, and four-leg styles. Multiple lengths, end fittings, etc. are available so you can find the best fit for your job.
Custom Construction Chain
Need industrial chains in a custom assembly? We specialize in custom orders - give our trained sales professionals a call or fill out our online form for tie down chains or chain slings. They will be happy to answer your questions and find the right chain to meet your exact needs.
Overhead Lifting Chains
All of the overhead lifting chain we offer is constructed from alloy steel, providing the strength needed to meet overhead lifting requirements.
Grade 80 Alloy Chain
Manufactured with heat-treated alloy steel, grade 80 lifting chain is a strong and durable option, ideal for use in overhead lifting and chain lifting slings. This industrial chain can also be used in recovery, safety, and tow and binder chain applications as well. Grade 80 chains are embossed with 8, 80, or 800 for easy identification.
Grade 100 Alloy Chain
Grade 100 chain is quickly becoming the industry standard for overhead lifting. Like grade 80, grade 100 chains are made from alloy steel that is heat-treated for strength and increased elongation characteristics. However, grade 100 chain has working load limits that are about 25% higher than grade 80 chain. This means that you can use a smaller, and therefore lighter, size of grade 100 chain to lift the same weight.
Due to higher alloy content, 100 grade chain is also more rugged and resistant to fatigue than grade 80. This should lead to a longer lifespan for grade 100 chain, making it a great long-term investment. Grade 100 chain is identified with 10,100, or 1,000 markings on the chain.
Grade 120 Alloy Chain
Grade 120 chain is a relatively new product and the strongest chain in the industry. It is up to 50% stronger than grade 80 chain and 20% stronger than grade 100 lifting chain. This will allow the user to select a smaller size chain, making the chain lighter and easier to handle. Grade 120 lifting chain is also more resistant to abrasion due to its higher alloy content and square link design. 120 grade chain is identified with 12 or 120 and is blue in color.
Transport Chain
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), if the marks on your tie down and transport chain are not visible or are too worn down to be legible, an inspector will count your chain as grade 30 and calculate your working load limits accordingly. This can lower your working load limit below what is required for your load. Even if your chain meets the requirements, you can still receive a citation and be taken out of service.
Grade 70 Transport Chain
Produced with heat-treated carbon steel, grade 70 chain is becoming the standard for load securement and tie down applications. Its gold chromate finish makes it easy to identify for truckers and law enforcement, making it a great choice to use as tow and binder chain. Gold chromate finish also meets the California Highway Patrol and DOT requirements.
In addition to these uses, grade 70 chain is also commonly used in towing, oil rigs, logging, and safety chain applications. It is embossed with 7, 70, or 700. Grade 70 is not approved for overhead lifting.
Check out our transport chain and binders for more purchasing options.
Grade 30 Proof Coil Chain
Grade 30 chain low carbon steel chain is a light to medium duty chain. While grade 30 is not approved for overhead lifting, it can still be used in tie down applications. Grade 30 chain is also used in agriculture, automotive and marine applications. It's marked with L3.
Other Welded Industrial Chains
While we don't offer Grade 43 and Grade 50 chain on our website, we do sell it by request. Call to speak to one of our product experts to place an order.
Grade 43 High Test Chain
Grade 43 chain is made with carbon steel and is often used in the trucking industry as a tow and binder chain. It's also a good alternative to grade 30 for applications that have higher strength requirements. Grade 43 chain is not approved for overhead lifting, but is a good option for tie down applications and is often used in the agriculture, construction, and trucking industries. It is marked with L4.
Heavy-Duty Chain Features
All of our industrial chain meets or exceeds all NACM & ASTM standards and the manufacturing is approved by ISO 9001-2000.
Find the working load limit that meets your needs by checking out our handy chart.
| Working Load Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Diameter |
Grade 30 | Grade 43 | Grade 70 | Grade 80 | Grade 100 | Grade 120 |
| 1/4" | 1,300 | 2,600 | 3,150 | 3,500 | 4,300 | - |
| 9/32" | - | - | - | - | - | 5,200 |
| 5/16" | 1,900 | 3,900 | 4,700 | 4,500 | 5,700 | 6,600 |
| 3/8" | 2,650 | 5,400 | 6,600 | 7,100 | 8,800 | 10,600 |
| 7/16" | 3,700 | 7,200 | 8,750 | - | - | - |
| 1/2" | 4,500 | 9,200 | 11,300 | 12,000 | 15,000 | 17,900 |
| 5/8" | 6,900 | 13,000 | 15,800 | 18,100 | 22,600 | - |
Shipping Notes
Please keep in mind that industrial bulk chain is heavy. Shipping rates may be reduced when overall weight reaches 200 pounds. Please call us for additional shipping options on large volume orders.
Questions?
If you have any concerns about what industrial chain is right for you, call or chat to speak to one of our product experts.
