How to choose lifting chain slings to DIN EN 818
Chain slings are the tough link between the crane hook and the load. This guide explains grades 8, 10 and 12 under DIN EN 818, how to pick the number of legs and the sling angle, the mandatory marking and the criteria that make a sling ready for discard.
View chain slingsWhat do grades 8, 10 and 12 mean?
The grade marks the strength class of the chain steel. Grade 8 has a nominal stress of 800 N/mm², grade 10 reaches 1000 N/mm² and grade 12 sits at 1200 N/mm². A higher grade carries more load at the same nominal diameter, or allows a thinner and lighter chain for the same load.
Round steel chains for lifting purposes fall under DIN EN 818‑2, while the complete chain slings are covered by DIN EN 818‑4 (grade 8) and DIN EN 818‑6. Across all grades the safety factor against breakage is at least four times the working load limit.
How do I choose legs and sling angle?
Chain slings come as single, two, three and four-leg assemblies. Capacity does not rise in step with the number of legs, because the angle of each leg adds tension. What matters is the angle between the leg and the vertical.
The standard defines two angle bands: 0 to 45° and over 45 up to 60°. A sling angle beyond 60° is not permitted, because leg forces rise steeply. For a symmetrically loaded four-leg sling only three legs are treated as load-bearing in the calculation.
- Two-leg at 0‑45°: factor 1.4 of the single-leg WLL.
- Two-leg at 45‑60°: factor 1.0 - the wider angle wipes out the gain.
- Three and four-leg at 0‑45°: factor 2.1 (not 3 or 4).
- Always measure the sling angle at the real attachment point, never guess it.
- With an unsymmetrical load, calculate only the two least favourable legs.
What marking is mandatory?
Every chain sling carries a durably fixed metal tag. It states the working load limit for the permitted angle bands, the grade, the nominal diameter, the number of legs, the manufacturer and an individual batch or serial number for traceability.
Each chain sling comes with an EC declaration of conformity and an inspection record. A thorough examination by a competent person is required at least once a year, and more often under demanding conditions.
When is a chain sling ready for discard?
Discard readiness means the sling must be withdrawn from use at once for safety. The key limit is wear: if the nominal link thickness has reduced by more than 10 % at any point, the chain must be discarded.
- Diameter reduction over 10 % at any link or component.
- Chain stretch of more than 5 % against the as-new length.
- Cracks, nicks, deformation or opened hooks.
- Hook mouth opening widened by more than 10 %.
- Corrosion pits, temper colours or heat exposure above 200 °C.
- Illegible or missing identification tag.
A visual check before every use is mandatory. The documented examination by a competent person complements the daily check and keeps traceability intact across the whole service life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between grade 8 and grade 10?
Grade 10 has a higher nominal stress at 1000 N/mm² than grade 8 at 800 N/mm². As a result a grade 10 chain carries roughly 25 % more load at the same diameter, or can be thinner and lighter for the same load.
Why must the sling angle not exceed 60°?
As the angle grows, the tension in each leg rises sharply. Beyond 60° the forces climb so far that the capacity can no longer be guaranteed safely, so the permitted range ends at 60°.
At what wear level must I discard the chain?
When the nominal link thickness is worn by more than 10 %, when the chain has stretched by over 5 %, or when cracks, deformation or heavy corrosion are visible. In those cases the sling must be withdrawn at once.
How often must a chain sling be inspected?
A visual check is done before every use. In addition a documented examination by a competent person is required at least once a year, and more frequently under harsh conditions.
Looking for the right chain sling?
We supply tested chain slings in grade 8, 10 and 12 with identification tag and inspection record - single to four-leg to DIN EN 818.
Standard tested
All chain slings meet DIN EN 818 with a fourfold safety factor.
Fully marked
Tag with WLL, grade and traceability included.
With inspection record
EC declaration of conformity and documentation supplied.
Expert advice
Our specialists help with grade and number of legs.