When you purchase industrial steel chains, you will often see grade markings such as G30, G40, G43, G70, G80, and G100. These chains may look almost the same in shape, but they are very different in material, manufacturing process, applicable standards, and working applications. For many buyers, the real difficulty is not remembering these grades but deciding which one is more suitable for their project and how to verify whether the supplier’s chains meet the requirements.
What Is the Difference Between Chain Grades?
When purchasing chains, the first thing that many people think about is wire diameter, such as 8mm chain, 10mm chain, or 12mm chain. However, wire diameter only refers to the size of the raw material used to make the chain. It does not determine the working load limit (WLL).
The actual load capacity is affected not only by the diameter, but also by the chain grade. The materials, production processes, and applicable scenarios for different grades of welding chains are significantly different.
Therefore, when you purchase chains, it is not enough to simply say “I need a 10mm chain.” You should clearly state your requirement, for example: “I need a 10mm G70 transport chain.” In this way, the manufacturer can quickly and accurately understand what you need, improving communication efficiency.
G30 Chain: Proof Coil Chain for Light Applications
G30 chain, also known as Proof Coil Chain, is typically made from low carbon steel, and has various surface treatment methods, such as electro galvanized, hot dip galvanized, or powder coated, etc.
The G30 chain has a low price and is easy to weld and process. It is one of the most commonly used ordinary welded chains. If your application is basic load securing, agriculture, fencing, or light towing, G30 is often a practical choice.
The main advantages of the G30 chain are its low cost and good workability. It is widely used in light-duty applications such as:
- Barrier chain
- Landscape chain
- Safety chain
- Farm chain
- Animal chain
- Light duty towing
- Small boat mooring
However, it is important to note that the G30 chain is not suitable for overhead lifting or any applications with high safety requirements.
So, if your customer only needs a general utility chain, G30 is a cost-effective option. But if the application involves lifting, hoisting, crane use, or slinging, G30 should not be recommended.
G40 Chain: Medium Strength Chain
G40 chain is a medium-strength chain mainly used for load securing, pulling, agricultural equipment, and light marine applications. It is mostly found in markets such as Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of Asia, but is not commonly used in Europe or North America.
Unlike G43, which is clearly defined in NACM standards, G40 does not have a globally unified standard. So its specifications can vary depending on the standard system or the manufacturer. Some manufacturers produce G40 chain with a strength close to G43, while others may only be slightly stronger than G30.
Therefore, when your customer or project specifies G40 chain, you should not rely on the grade alone. You need to confirm more details, such as:
- What standard is being followed?
- What is the required Working Load Limit (WLL)?
- What is the actual application?
- Does it involve lifting or overhead use?
Only after confirming these points can you correctly judge whether the chain is suitable for the application.
G43 Chain: High-Test Chain for Towing and Industrial Use
G43 chain is also known as High Test Chain. It is made from high carbon steel and is heat treated to achieve higher strength, allowing it to carry heavier loads. This grade of chain is commonly used in the North American market and is typically used in industrial, agricultural, and towing equipment fields.
When purchasing the chains, many customers notice that the applications of G43 chains and G70 chains are highly similar, which often leads to confusion during product selection.
A simple way to understand it is:
- G43 chain is more suitable for industrial towing, agricultural machinery, forestry equipment, and general industrial load securing. In fact, most of these applications commonly use G43 chain.
- G70 is mainly used in the transport industry, especially in North America, where road transport regulations clearly define requirements for chain strength and marking. G70 more easily meets these transport-related standards.
Therefore, for projects that do not involve cargo transport, G43 chain is fully meets the general industrial or agricultural use. There is no need to incur unnecessary procurement costs just to chase a higher grade.
G70 Chain: Ideal Transport Chain for Transportation Industry
Grade 70 chain, also known as Transport Chain, is typically made from heat-treated high-carbon steel. Its surface is often finished with a yellow chromate coating or zinc plating. The overall strength of the chain is significantly higher than that of Grade 43 and other lower-grade welded chains, making it especially suitable for cargo transport, trailer, and equipment securing. In the transportation and towing applications in North America, Grade 70 has become one of the most common and widely used options in the industry.
If your main market is in North America, you will find that the demand for Grade 70 chain is much higher than other grades. Whether it is Transport Chain, Load Binder Chain, or Tie Down Chain, most customers ultimately choose Grade 70. Because of this, many people assume that U.S. road transport regulations require the use of Grade 70 chain, but this is not entirely correct.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does not explicitly require the use of Grade 70 chain for transportation under 49 CFR Part 393 (Cargo Securement regulations). Instead, the regulations require that all cargo securement devices must have sufficient Working Load Limit (WLL), and that the total WLL of the entire tie-down system must meet the cargo securement requirements.
Why is Grade 70 chain so widely used in the transport industry?
The reason is simple: over many years of use, people have found that Grade 70 chain not only meets road safety regulations set by FMCSA, but it is also cheaper than G80 chain, and offers a higher cost-performance. Because of this, it has become the most commonly used chain grade in the North American transport industry.
In addition, NACM defines Grade 70 as the standard transport chain, which has further strengthened its position and influence in the industry.
G80 Chain: The Most Widely Used Lifting Chain Grade
When you purchase or learn about the G80 chain for the first time, you may wonder: if the G70 chain is strong enough for some overhead lifting applications, why is it still not allowed for lifting use? The key reason is not strength alone, but the different requirements for safety during usage.
G70 and G80 are designed for two completely different industries. G70 is used for load securing during transport. While the G80, in addition to strength, it also needs to deal with safety issues in heavy-load and high-risk lifting applications, including Chain Sling, Hoist and Crane, etc.
Because of this, the G80 chains not only need to be made from higher-grade alloy steel(most are short link chains, increasing the strength), but also undergo more strict quenching and tempering heat treatment. Compared with G70, it has much higher requirements in both the manufacturing process and performance. Its surface is usually treated with low-temperature black oxide, which does not affect the mechanical properties after heat treatment.
G80 has stricter requirements for various performance. It not only needs higher strength, but the elongation rate, toughness, wear resistance, and impact resistance must meet multiple safety standards. For example, in lifting standards such as EN 818 and NACM G80 specifications, the elongation of the G80 chain before it breaks should not be less than 20%. This allows the chain to deform before failure under extreme loads in applications like chain slings, hoists, and cranes, giving a warning before breakage and improving the overall safety margin.
G100 Chain: A Solution for Special Working Conditions
G100 chain is a high-strength alloy steel chain. It is an upgraded grade higher than G80. Under the same size, it provides a higher working load and is mainly used for higher load applications or lifting situations where weight reduction is required. Many buyers may think that since G100 has higher strength, they should directly choose G100. In actual projects, this understanding is not fully correct, it needs to be evaluated based on real working conditions.
G100 is made of higher-strength alloy steel and goes through stricter heat treatment processes. Therefore, under the same size and wire diameter, the MBF(Minimum Breaking Force) and proof load of G100 are higher than G80. If your project requires a higher load capacity or needs to reduce the overall weight of the lifting system, then the G100 chain is an ideal solution.
For example, with a 10 mm lifting chain, the rated working load of G80 is usually about 3.15 tons, while G100 can reach about 4 tons. This means that, with the same chain size, the Working Load Limit of the G100 chain is at least 25% higher than that of the G80 chain. Therefore, G100 is usually used in industries with more strict safety and load requirements, such as wind power installation, offshore engineering, large equipment manufacturing, and mining, while general industrial lifting applications still mainly use G80.
It is important to note that for most industrial lifting projects, G80 is already enough to meet all requirements, and its purchase cost is lower than G100. If you choose G100 without considering the actual needs, it may not only increase unnecessary procurement costs, but also require all related lifting accessories (such as hooks) to be upgraded to G100. Otherwise, the rated capacity of the whole lifting system will be determined by the lowest grade component in the system.
Chain Grade Comparison Chart
| Chain Grade | Also Known As | Material | Typical Applications | Should NOT Be Used For | Common Markets |
| G30 | Proof Coil Chain | Low Carbon Steel | General Utility Chain, Farm Chain, Barrier Chain | Overhead Lifting | Worldwide |
| G40 | Medium Strength Chain | Medium Carbon Steel | Marine Chain, Agriculture Chain, Industrial Chain | Overhead Lifting | Australia & New Zealand |
| G43 | High Test Chain | Heat Treated Carbon Steel | Industrial Towing Chain, Forestry Chain, Agricultural Chain | Overhead Lifting | USA & Canada |
| G70 | Transport Chain | Heat Treated Carbon Steel | Cargo Securement Chain, Tie Down Chain, Load Binder Chain | Overhead Lifting, Chain Sling | USA & Canada |
| G80 | Alloy Lifting Chain | Heat Treated Alloy Steel | Chain Sling, Crane Lifting, Hoist Chain | Cargo Securement | Global |
| G100 | Grade 100 Lifting Chain | High Strength Alloy Steel | Heavy Duty Lifting, Offshore Lifting, Wind Energy Lifting | General Utility | Global |
After understanding the differences between these chain grades, it can be simply summarized as follows:
G30: General Utility Chain
Suitable for general use such as light industrial work, agriculture, fencing, and everyday securing applications.
G40, G43: Industrial Towing & Restraint Chain
More suitable for medium-duty applications such as industrial towing, equipment securing, and agricultural machinery.
G70: Transport Chain
The most common cargo securement and truck tie-down chain in the North American transportation industry.
G80, G100: Alloy Lifting Chain
Specifically designed for lifting applications such as chain sling, crane lifting, and overhead lifting.
How to Identify Different Chain Grades?
Now you already understand the differences between chain grades. The next question many buyers care about is: after receiving the chain, how can you confirm it really matches the grade you specified?
Many people’s first reaction is to look at the color, for example thinking yellow means G70 and black means G80. However, this method is not reliable. The choice of color is only a surface finishing practice used by manufacturers. It is not an international standard. Different manufacturers may use different colors. Therefore, color can only be used as a reference, and it cannot be used as a basis for identifying the chain grade.
Check the Permanent Marking on the Link
The most direct way is to check the permanent marking on the chain link. This is also the first step to confirm the chain grade.
On proper industrial chains, some links usually have stamped markings that show the grade, such as G43, G70, G80, G100, and sometimes also the manufacturer’s logo. These markings are normally difficult to change, so they can be used as a basic and reliable reference to identify the chain grade.
Check Technical Documents and Test Reports
If your project involves applications such as transport securing, heavy equipment, or overhead lifting, you should also request the manufacturer or supplier to provide inspection documents for that batch of chain, such as:
- Material certificate
- Test report
- Working Load Limit (WLL)
- Minimum Breaking Force
These documents and data can help you further confirm whether the chain meets the performance requirements of the specified grade.
Confirm the Applicable Standards
In addition, you also need to confirm the applicable standards for the chain batch, because different application fields may follow different standards.
- In the North American market, NACM and ASTM standards are commonly used. Chains for transport securing applications also need to comply with FMCSA requirements.
- For lifting chains such as G80 and G100, EN 818-2 is more commonly referenced.
- For some special projects, the applicable standard is just as important as the chain grade, because different countries may use different standard systems and testing requirements for the same grade, and they may not be exactly the same.
Identification of Chains Without Permanent Marking
It is important to note that not all chains have permanent stamped markings.
For general-purpose chains, such as some G30 or G40 products, many manufacturers may skip this process in order to reduce cost. In these cases, the grade is only identified through product labels or packaging.
Therefore, for chains without stamped markings, it is even more important to confirm the grade by checking product information, test reports, and technical documents provided by the supplier, rather than judging only by appearance.
In general, the identification of chain grades should follow a core principle (three-layer verification system): permanent marking + technical documents + applicable standards.
Conclusion
Chain Grade is not just a simple grade label. In essence, it not only represents the strength difference between different chains but also reflects differences in manufacturing processes and corresponds to different application scenarios, such as general securing, industrial towing, transport lashing, and lifting operations. When identifying the chain grades, the most important factors are not appearance, but verifiable information such as permanent markings on the chain links, inspection documents, and applicable standards.
In actual purchasing, if you are not sure which grade you need, you can also contact TUOHAI directly. With many years of manufacturing and export experience, we can help you select the proper grade based on your specific requirements and avoid losses and risks caused by incorrect selection.
FAQs
How can I check if a chain is actually load rated?
When you are purchasing chains and want to confirm whether it is a load rated chain, the most direct method is to check for stamped markings on the chain links, such as G70, G80, or G100.
In most cases, proper lifting chains will have identification markings on the surface of the links, and these markings are usually repeated at regular intervals along the chain.
If you cannot find any markings on the chain surface, it is very likely that the chain is only a general-purpose industrial chain. In this case, it is not recommended to use it for lifting, heavy loading, or any safety-critical applications.
Can chain grade markings vary between manufacturers?
Yes.
Although chain grades are based on similar standards, different manufacturers may use different materials, heat treatment processes, and testing methods. As a result, the actual quality of chains can vary between suppliers.
For example, some manufacturers’ G80 chains may have a breaking load that is 5%–10% lower than the nominal standard, but they may still be marked as G80.
Therefore, when purchasing chains, you should not rely only on the grade marking. It is also important to check the test reports provided by the supplier.
Is chain color a reliable way to identify its grade?
No.
As you can see, in everyday use, most G70 chains are yellow, and G80 chains are usually black. However, this is only a common manufacturer practice, not an international standard.
G70 chain in different countries may be yellow, galvanized, or even in its natural steel color. Therefore, chain color can only be used as a reference factor when judging the grade, and it cannot be used to directly determine the chain grade.
What documents prove a chain is certified to a specific grade?
If you need to confirm that the chain you received truly matches the declared grade, you should request the supplier to provide the following documents:
- Test Report
- Working Load Limit (WLL data)
- Breaking Load
- Material Certificate
A reliable chain manufacturer can usually provide all of these documents. They are used to verify that the chain being supplied complies with the corresponding grade standard.
Are chain grades like G30, G70, and G80 standardized globally?
No, it is not fully unified.
Chain grades such as G30, G70, G40, G43, and G80 are a globally recognized grading system, but they are not a completely unified international standard.
Different regions use different standard systems for production and certification, for example:
- North America: NACM / ASTM
- Europe: EN 818
- Australia: AS/NZS
Although these systems define similar chain grade classifications worldwide, the manufacturing processes, testing methods, and certification requirements may still be different between standards.
Why do some chains have no visible grade marking?
Chains without any stamped markings are usually general-purpose G30 or G40 chains. These types of chains are used for non-lifting applications, and they only need to meet basic tensile strength requirements. There are no strict requirements for safety certification or full traceability, so some manufacturers remove the marking process in order to reduce production costs.
However, if the chain is used for lifting or transport applications, it is not recommended to use unmarked chains. Without any identification, you cannot confirm the chain grade or the applicable standard, which creates a higher safety risk during use.
Do hooks and fittings need to match the same chain grade?
If the chain you purchase is used for a lifting system (chain sling), then all fittings must match the same chain grade.
For example, the G80 chain must be used with G80 hooks, master links, and other fittings. If any component in the system is a lower grade, for example, a G70 connecting link, then the working load capacity of the entire system must be calculated based on G70. In other words, the overall lifting capacity is always limited by the lowest-rated component in the system.
What is the risk of using G70 in lifting applications?
Using a G70 chain for lifting is a very dangerous mistake. Although G70 is a high-strength chain, it is mainly designed for transport lashing and load binding, not for overhead lifting applications.
In addition, G70 is usually not manufactured according to lifting chain standards such as EN 818, so it does not meet the safety requirements for this type of use. If G70 is used in high-load lifting situations, it may fail due to insufficient safety margin or impact loads, which can lead to sudden breakage and serious safety risks.
How often should lifting chains be inspected or replaced?
If you are using G80 / G100 lifting chains in an industrial environment, the general recommendations are:
- Inspect before each use
- Heavy-duty use: perform a full inspection every 3–6 months
- Normal use: replace or carry out a full inspection every 1–2 years
- If the chain shows signs of elongation, deformation, or surface cracks, it must be taken out of service immediately and replaced.
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