Grade 80 vs Grade 100 Alloy Chain Slings: Which Should You Use in Singapore?
- Jul 10
- 7 min read
If you have ever sourced chain slings in Singapore, you have almost certainly come across two grades: Grade 80 and Grade 100. Both are alloy steel chain slings. Both are used for heavy industrial lifting. And on the surface, they look almost identical.
But the difference between them matters — for your SWL, your weight budget, and your budget. Choosing the wrong grade means either over-engineering your lift at unnecessary cost, or under-specifying it and putting your load and your workers at risk.
This guide explains exactly what Grade 80 and Grade 100 mean, how they compare across every key specification, and which one is right for your specific lifting application in Singapore.
What Do "Grade 80" and "Grade 100" Actually Mean?
The grade number refers to the minimum tensile strength of the chain, expressed in units of 10 N/mm². In practical terms:
Grade 80 chain has a minimum tensile strength of 800 N/mm²
Grade 100 chain has a minimum tensile strength of 1,000 N/mm²
Grade 100 is therefore 25% stronger than Grade 80 for the same chain diameter. This means a Grade 100 chain sling can lift a heavier load than a Grade 80 sling of the same physical size — or alternatively, you can use a smaller, lighter Grade 100 chain to lift the same load as a larger Grade 80 chain.
Both grades are manufactured from alloy steel — not carbon steel or stainless steel. Alloy steel gives chain slings their combination of high strength, toughness, and resistance to fatigue failure that makes them suitable for demanding industrial lifting.
Grade 80 vs Grade 100: Full Comparison
Specification | Grade 80 | Grade 100 |
Minimum tensile strength | 800 N/mm² | 1,000 N/mm² |
SWL vs Grade 80 (same diameter) | Baseline | ~25% higher |
Weight vs Grade 100 (same SWL) | Heavier | ~20% lighter |
Temperature range | -40°C to +200°C | -40°C to +200°C |
Shock load resistance | Good | Excellent |
Weld quality standard | EN 818-2 | EN 818-2 (Grade T) |
Finish options | Self-coloured, painted, galvanised | Self-coloured, painted |
Typical colour coding | Brown / black | Gold / yellow |
Relative cost | Lower | Higher (typically 20–35% more) |
Availability in Singapore | Very common | Common |
MOM compliance | Yes | Yes |
Grade 80 Chain Slings: When to Use Them
Grade 80 is the industry standard for the vast majority of industrial lifting applications in Singapore. It has been the dominant chain sling grade for decades and remains the most widely used.
Grade 80 Is the Right Choice When:
Your SWL requirement is comfortably within Grade 80's range. If a 13mm Grade 80 single-leg sling gives you the SWL you need with an appropriate safety margin, there is no performance-based reason to upgrade to Grade 100.
Weight is not a significant constraint. In applications where riggers are not carrying the sling long distances or working in confined spaces, the slightly heavier weight of Grade 80 vs Grade 100 (for the same SWL) is not a practical issue.
Budget is a priority. Grade 80 is typically 20–35% less expensive than Grade 100. For companies maintaining large fleets of chain slings — common in Singapore's shipyards, construction sites, and manufacturing facilities — this cost difference adds up significantly.
The lift involves standard industrial conditions. Moderate shock loading, standard temperatures, and conventional load shapes are all well within Grade 80's capabilities.
Typical Grade 80 Applications in Singapore:
General workshop and yard lifting
Construction site material handling
Steel fabrication and structural steel lifting
Machinery installation and maintenance
Loading and unloading at warehouses and logistics facilities
Grade 100 Chain Slings: When to Use Them
Grade 100 was developed to offer a meaningful performance improvement over Grade 80 — not just in raw strength, but in weight efficiency and shock load performance. It is the right choice in specific situations where those advantages deliver real value.
Grade 100 Is the Right Choice When:
You need more SWL from the same chain size. If your lift requires a higher SWL but you want to avoid moving up to a larger, heavier chain diameter, Grade 100 gives you approximately 25% more capacity in the same physical chain.
Weight savings matter. In applications where workers must manually handle and carry chain slings — confined spaces, elevated work platforms, shipboard engine rooms — the lighter weight of Grade 100 (for equivalent SWL) reduces fatigue and improves safety.
You face frequent shock loading. Grade 100's superior toughness makes it better suited to dynamic or shock-loaded lifts — such as crane picks in rough marine conditions, pile driving adjacent work, or any application where sudden load changes are common.
You are maximising lifting capacity within a fixed chain size. Some cranes, hoists, and lifting points have fixed attachment dimensions. If your chain must fit a specific hook or shackle size, Grade 100 lets you maximise the SWL within that constraint.
You are working in demanding offshore or industrial environments. Grade 100's improved fatigue performance suits it to higher-cycle lifting applications where chains are used intensively day after day.
Typical Grade 100 Applications in Singapore:
Offshore and marine heavy lifts
Steel mill and foundry environments with high-cycle lifting
Confined space or platform lifts where weight is a constraint
Crane rigging where maximum SWL in minimum chain diameter is needed
Industrial plants with demanding lifting schedules
Safe Working Load (SWL) Comparison by Chain Diameter
To make the Grade 80 vs Grade 100 decision concrete, here is how the SWL compares for common chain diameters in a single-leg vertical hitch:
Chain Diameter | Grade 80 SWL (1-leg) | Grade 100 SWL (1-leg) | SWL Increase |
7mm | 1.12T | 1.40T | +25% |
8mm | 1.4T | 2.0T | +43% |
10mm | 2.24T | 2.80T | +25% |
13mm | 3.55T | 4.25T | +20% |
16mm | 5.30T | 6.70T | +26% |
19mm | 8.00T | 10.00T | +25% |
22mm | 10.6T | 13.20T | +25% |
26mm | 16.0T | 20.00T | +25% |
Multi-Leg Chain Sling Configurations: How Angle Affects SWL
Whether you use Grade 80 or Grade 100, the rigging angle has a significant effect on the working load of each leg. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of chain sling use in Singapore worksites.
Angle Factor Table
Angle Between Legs | Load Factor per Leg |
0° (vertical, single leg) | 1.00 |
0°–45° | 1.00 |
45°–60° | 0.87 |
60°–90° | 0.71 |
90°–120° | 0.58 |
Above 120° | Do not use |
Example: A two-leg Grade 80 chain sling with a combined SWL of 6.0T (vertical) used at 90° between legs has an effective SWL of just 4.26T (6.0T × 0.71). If your load weighs 5.5T, this configuration is unsafe — even though the "headline" SWL is 6.0T.
Never rig a chain sling with an angle greater than 120° between legs. Beyond this angle, the forces in each leg increase to dangerous levels.
MOM Compliance: What Both Grades Require in Singapore
Under MOM's Workplace Safety and Health regulations, all chain slings used in Singapore must:
Before first use:
Be proof-load tested to a minimum of 2 times the SWL
Have a test certificate issued by an accredited testing body
Carry a permanent identification mark (grade, SWL, serial number, manufacturer)
Have a durable tag showing SWL and safe angle of use
In service:
Be inspected by a Competent Person/MOM AE at intervals not exceeding 12 months
Be taken out of service immediately if any link shows:
Cracks, nicks, or gouges
Wear exceeding 8% of the original link diameter
Elongation exceeding 5% of the original link length
Bending, twisting, or distortion
Heat damage or discolouration
Be stored correctly — hanging or coiled, not left on the ground where vehicles or machinery can run over them
After any overload or shock load event:
Remove from service immediately
Re-inspect and re-proof test before returning to use
Can You Mix Grade 80 and Grade 100 Components?
This is a frequently asked question — and the answer is: generally no, and it requires careful consideration.
If you are assembling a multi-leg chain sling, all legs should be of the same grade. Mixing Grade 80 chain with Grade 100 hooks or master links is acceptable only if the components are specifically rated for use together — this must be confirmed with the manufacturer or a qualified rigging engineer.
Never use a Grade 80 master link or hook with Grade 100 chain and assume the combined SWL is that of the Grade 100 chain. The assembly SWL is limited by the lowest-rated component in the system.
All FRT chain slings are supplied as matched, certified assemblies — chain, hooks, and master links are matched and tested together.
Which Should You Order? A Simple Decision Guide
Choose Grade 80 if:
Your SWL requirement is met with a standard Grade 80 size
Weight and portability are not critical factors
You are equipping a general-purpose workshop, yard, or construction site
Budget is a primary consideration
Choose Grade 100 if:
You need higher SWL in a smaller or lighter chain
Workers must manually carry or handle the slings in confined or elevated spaces
Your application involves frequent shock loading or demanding offshore environments
You are maximising capacity within a fixed hook or attachment point size
Still not sure? Contact FRT — our team will assess your lift requirements and recommend the right grade, diameter, and configuration.
Chain Slings vs Other Sling Types: A Quick Reminder
Chain slings are not always the right choice. For a full comparison of chain slings against webbing slings, round slings, and wire rope slings, read our complete sling selection guide:
High temperatures rule out synthetic slings (chain handles up to 200°C, and higher with a de-rating factor)
Sharp edges or abrasive loads would damage webbing or wire rope
The lift requires high SWL with excellent durability over a long service life
The load has lifting points (hooks, rings, pad eyes) that suit chain hook attachment
FRT supplies Grade 80 and Grade 100 alloy chain slings for Singapore's construction, marine, offshore, and industrial sectors. All slings are:
Manufactured to EN 818-2 and relevant international standards
Proof-load tested and supplied with test certificates
Available in single-leg, two-leg, three-leg, and four-leg configurations
Available in standard lengths or custom fabricated to your specification
We also supply individual chain components — master links, shortening clutches, hooks, and connecting links — for sling assembly and repair.
FRT has been supplying chain slings and lifting equipment to Singapore's construction, marine, and industrial sectors since 1995. All products comply with MOM regulations and EN/BS standards.
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