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An American National Standard

Designation: A 906/A 906M 9902

Standard Specification for

Grade 80 and Grade 100 Alloy Steel Chain Slings for
Overhead Lifting1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 906/A 906M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers the requirements and method of rating and testing for alloy chain slings. Slings shall be assembled
using components manufactured in accordance with Specification A 391/A 391M for Grade 80 chain, A 973/A 973M for Grade
100 chain, and A 952/A 952M for other components. This specification covers welded and mechanically assembled slings.
1.2 This specification does not cover slings used at elevated temperatures (above 400F [200C]), in harmful or corrosive
environmental conditions or for applications such as nonsymmetrical legs or loading.
1.3 This specification is a performance and assembly specification. Other standards, such as OSHA 1910.184, ASME B30.9, and
ASME B30.10, apply to the use of the products in this specification.
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units shall be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units
are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore each system shall be used
independently of the other, without combining values in any way.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.27 on Steel Chain.
Current edition approved March May 10, 1999. 2002. Published July 1999. June 2002. Originally published as A 90691. Last previous edition A 906939.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 906/A 906M 9902
A 391/A 391M Specification for Alloy Steel Chain2
A 952/A 952M Specification for Forged Grade 80 and Grade 100 Steel Lifting Components and Welded Attachment Links2
A 973/A 973M Specification for Grade 100 Alloy Steel Chain2
2.2 Other Standards:
OSHA 1910.184 3
ASME B30.9 Slings4
ASME B30.10 Hooks4
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 chain slingan assembly consisting of alloy steel chain or chains joined to suitable upper and lower fittings, according
to the provisions of this specification, for attaching loads to be lifted by a crane or lifting machine.
3.1.2 coupling linka link fitted to the end of the chain to connect either directly or through a secondary link to an upper or
lower end fitting. another component of the sling. See Fig. 1.
3.1.3 end fittinga link, hook, or other device fitted at the end of a leg. See Fig. 1.
3.1.4 master coupling link (secondary or intermediate link)a link used on three and four leg slings to connect the legs to a
master link. See Fig. 1.
3.1.54 master linka link used as the upper end fitting component of a chain sling and by means of which the sling is attached
to a crane or other lifting machine. See Fig. 1.
3.1.65 overhead liftingthat process of lifting which would elevate a freely suspended load to such a position that dropping
the load would present a possibility of bodily injury or property damage.
3.1.76 proof testa term designating a quality control test applied to a welded sling or to components of a welded sling. It is
the minimum force in pounds or newtons which the sling and components have withstood in the condition and at the time it left
the factory, under a test in which a constantly increasing force has been applied in direct tension.
3.1.8 qualified persona person who, by possession of a recognized degree or certificate of professional standing, or by
extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to
the subject matter and work.
3.1.9 reach
3.1.7 length (reach)the distance from the bearing point of the upper end fitting to the bearing point of the lower end fitting.
See Fig. 1.
3.1.108 sling anglethat angle measured between the horizontal plane and the leg (legs) of the sling. See Tables 1-3.
3.1.119 working load limit (WLL)the maximum load which a sling is designed to support in direct tension without shock
loading at a designated sling angle of lift.
4. Classification
4.1 There are two grades of chain slings covered under this specification. The size of a sling is denoted by the size of the chain
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
3
Available from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Office of the Federal Register National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC.
4
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 3 Park Ave., New York, NY 100165990.

FIG. 1 Chain Sling Major Components

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 A 906/A 906M 9902
TABLE 1 Chain and Single Leg Grade 80 Sling WLL Data

Grade 80 Chain Size Single Leg WLL (max)

in. mm lb kg

7 32 5.5 2100 950
932 7 3500 1600
516 8 4500 2000
38 10 7100 3200
12 13 12 000 5400
58 16 18 100 8200
34 20 28 300 12 800
78 22 34 200 15 500
1 26 47 700 21 600
114 32 72 300 32 800

TABLE 2 Double Leg and Single Basket Grade 80 Alloy Chain Sling WLL Data at 60, 45, and 30 Sling AnglesNote 1
NOTE 2Do not use any sling at less than 30 under any circumstance.

WLL at Sling Angle a of

Grade 80 Chain Size 60 45 30
in. mm lb kg lb kg lb kg

7 32 5.5 3600 1650 3000 1350 2100 950
932 7 6100 2750 4900 2250 3500 1600
516 8 7800 3550 6400 2900 4500 2000
38 10 12 300 5500 10 000 4500 7100 3200
12 13 20 800 9450 17 000 7700 12 000 5400
58 16 31 300 14 200 25 600 11 600 18 100 8200
34 20 49 000 22 250 40 000 18 150 28 300 12 800
78 22 59 200 26 850 48 400 21 900 34 200 15 500
1 26 82 600 37 500 67 400 30 600 47 700 21 600
114 32 125 200 56 800 102 200 46 400 72 300 32 800

used in its manufacture. The grade of a sling is denoted by the lowest grade component used in its manufacture.
4.1.1 Grade 80.
4.1.2 Grade 100.
5. Ordering Information
5.1 It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all requirements that are necessary for material ordered under this
specification. Such requirements to be considered include, but are not limited to, the following:
5.1.1 Conformance to ASTM designation A 906 or A 906M and year of issue,
5.1.2 Size of sling in inches [millimetres],
5.1.3 Grade of sling,
5.1.4 Type of sling(s) as designated by the symbols depicted in Table 7, if possible,
5.1.5 Quantity ordered,
5.1.6 Reach of sling(s),

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 A 906/A 906M 9902
TABLE 3 Thriplee and Fo Quadruple Leg and Double Basket Grade 80 Alloy Chain Sling WLL Data at 60, 45, and 30 Sling
AnglesNote 1 [WLL (3 or 4 leg) = 3 x WLL (single leg) x sin a]

NOTE 2Do not use any sling at less than 30 under any circumstances.

Grade 80 Chain Size WLL at Sling Angle a of

60 45 30
in. mm lb kg lb kg lb kg

7 32 5.5 5500 2450 4400 2000 3200 1450
932 7 9100 4150 7400 3400 5200 2400
516 8 11 700 5350 9500 4350 6800 3100
38 10 18 400 8300 15 100 6800 10 600 4800
12 13 31 200 14 150 25 500 11 550 18 000 8200
58 16 47 000 21 300 38 400 17 400 27 100 12 300
34 20 73 500 33 400 60 000 27 250 42 400 19 300
78 22 88 900 40 250 72 500 32 900 51 300 23 250
1 26 123 900 56 250 101 200 45 950 71 500 32 500
114 32 187 800 85 200 153 400 69 600 108 400 49 200

TABLE 4 Chain and Single Leg Grade 100 Sling WLL Data

Grade 100 Chain Size Single Leg WLL (max)

in. mm lb kg

7 32 5.5 2700 1200
932 7 4300 1950
516 8 5700 2600
38 10 8800 4000
12 13 15 000 6800
58 16 22 600 10 300
34 20 35 300 16 000
78 22 42 700 19 400

5.1.7 Sling angle, and

5.1.8 Certification of proof test(s), if required.
6. Manufacture
6.1 Assembly:
6.1.1 Only component parts compatible with alloy chain shall be used.
6.1.2 Slings assembled by welding shall be fabricated by the electric or gas welding process, or both.
6.1.3 Mechanically assembled slings shall be assembled in accordance with component manufacturers recommendations.
6.1.4 Components shall be assembled so as to ensure free articulation of the sling.
7. Mechanical Requirements
7.1 Proof Test:

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 A 906/A 906M 9902
TABLE 5 Double Leg and Single Basket Grade 100 Alloy Chain Sling WLL Data at 60, 45, and 30 Sling AnglesNote 1.

NOTE 2Do not use any sling at less than 30 under any circumstances.

Grade 100 Chain Size WLL at Sling Angle a of

60 45 30
in. mm lb kg lb kg lb kg

7 32 5.5 4700 2150 3800 1750 2700 1200
932 7 7400 3400 6100 2750 4300 1950
516 8 9900 4500 8100 3700 5700 2600
38 10 15 200 6950 12 400 5650 8800 4000
12 13 26 000 11 800 21 200 9600 15 000 6800
58 16 39 100 17 750 32 000 14 500 22 600 10 300
34 20 61 100 27 700 49 900 22 650 35 300 16 000
78 22 74 000 33 500 60 400 27 350 42 700 19 400

TABLE 6 Thriplee and Fo Quadruple Leg and Double Basket Grade 100 Alloy Chain Sling WLL Data at 60, 45, and 30 Sling
AnglesNote 1.
NOTE 2Do not use any sling at less than 30 under any circumstances.

Grade 100 Chain Size WLL at Sling Angle a of

60 45 30
in. mm lb kg lb kg lb kg

7 32 5.5 7000 3250 5700 2650 4000 1900
932 7 11 200 5050 9100 4150 6400 2950
516 8 14 800 6750 12 100 5500 8500 3900
38 10 22 900 10 400 18 700 8500 13 200 6000
12 13 39 000 17 650 31 800 14 450 22 500 10 200
58 16 58 700 26 650 47 900 21 750 33 900 15 400
34 20 91 700 41 550 74 900 33 950 53 000 24 000
78 22 110 900 50 250 90 600 41 050 64 000 29 050

7.1.1 All components of a sling, either individually or as an assembly, shall be proof tested as required in 7.1.2-7.1.4.
7.1.2 The proof test load for single leg slings and components attached to single legs shall be twice the working load limit for
the size and grade chain.
7.1.3 The proof test load for components attached to two legs of a sling shall be four times the working load limit for the size
and grade chain.
7.1.4 The proof test load for components attached to three or four legs of a sling shall be six times the working load limit for
the size and grade chain.
7.1.5 All sling components shall withstand the proof test load without loss of integrity or detrimental dimensional changes.
Components that do not withstand the proof test shall be discarded.

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TABLE 7 Sling Designation

NOTE 1This table is not complete in that manufacturers employ

special designations for special, miscellaneous, and adjustable sling styles.

First Symbol (Basic Sling Type) Second Symbol (Upper End Fit-
ting)A
Symbol Description Symbol Description
S Single Leg O Oblong Master Link
C Single Choker with Master Links P Pear Shaped Master Link
no hooks
D Double Leg S Sling Hook
T Triple Leg G Grab Hook
Q Four (Quadruple) Leg F Foundry Hook
Q Quadruple Leg F Foundry Hook
SB Single Basket
DB Double Basket
Third Symbol (End (Terminal) Fitting(s))
Symbol Description
S Sling Hook
G Grab Hook
F Foundry Hook
A
The absence of a designation in the second symbol position indicates no top
fitting present. Such would be the case in a single leg with grab hook at one end
designated SG.

8. Tolerances
8.1 When constructing the sling, a tolerance of 0 + 2 links is permissible on the nominal reach ordered by a purchaser. In the
completed sling, the difference between the longest and shortest legs of a multi-leg sling shall not exceed 516 in. (8 mm) for legs
up to 612 ft (2 m) in length. For slings in excess of 612 ft (2 m), the difference between the longest and shortest legs may be
increased by 532 in. (4 mm) for each additional 314 ft (1 m).

9. Working Load Limit (WLL)

9.1 Working Load LimitThe working load limits given in Tables 1-6 are for symmetrically loaded slings manufactured with
components of equal or higher working load limits than the chain.
9.2 Slings containing any Grade 80 component shall be rated at Grade 80 working load limits.
9.3 Working load limits shall conform to the values shown in Tables 1-3 for Grade 80 slings and Tables 4-6 for Grade 100 slings.
NOTE 1The working load limit values in Tables 1-6 have been rounded to the nearest 100 lb [50 kg].
NOTE 2Rigging and hitch conditions may lower the working load limit of the sling.
9.4 Working load limits for sling angles not listed in Tables 1-6 shall be calculated as follows:
9.4.1 The working load limit for double leg and single basket slings = 2 3 single leg sling working load limit 3 sine of
horizontal angle.
9.4.2 The working load limit for triple and quadruple leg and double basket slings = 3 3 chain single leg sling working load
limit 3 sine of horizontal angle.
9.4.3 Nominal RatingThe nominal rating of any multi-branch sling shall be the working load limit for that sling when applied
at an angle of 60 from the horizontal.

10. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance

10.1 The manufacturer may apply a surface treatment or coating of his own choice for identification or corrosion resistance
unless the customer specifies otherwise.

11. Certification
11.1 A manufacturers certification of proof test shall be furnished, if requested. The certificate shall include the information on
the tag, the proof load, and date of issue.
11.2 For mechanically assembled slings, the appropriate certification of sling component parts shall be made available to the
user if requested.

12. Product Marking

12.1 Identification TagThere shall be an identification tag permanently affixed to each sling chain bearing the following
information:
12.1.1 Size,

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12.1.2 RLength (reach),
12.1.3 Working load limit and angle upon which it is based,
12.1.4 Serial number,
12.1.5 Manufacturers name or symbol, and chain grade, and
12.1.6 Sling type (number of legs) as described in Table 7.
13. Keywords
13.1 chain; steel chain

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

(1) Revised 1.1.

(2) Global throughout standard: changed fitting to component, fittings to components and reach to length.
(3) Revised definition 3.1.2 for coupling link, deleted definitions for end fitting and qualified person, and renamed defintion
3.1.5 reach to length (reach).
(4) Added Note 2 under 9.3.
(5) Revised standard to include single and double basket slings (Revised 1, Tables 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7).
(6) Removed prior Note on 30 sling angle in Tables 2, 3, 5, and 6.

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