A: The differences are usually not a factor in most sling applications. At rated capacity, a treated nylon sling stretches approximately 10%, whereas a treated polyester sling will stretch approximately 7%. Nylon’s extra stretch helps to avoid shock loading. The lesser stretch of polyester makes load control easier by reducing bounce. In a chemical environment, nylon should not be used around acids or bleaching agents while polyester should not be used near aldehydes.

A: Water has no significant affect on the strength of web slings. For questions on specific chemicals, please contact the SSG Customer Service Department for assistance.

A: Dirt in a web sling can promote internal abrasion that can reduce sling strength and possibly shorten sling life.

A: A sling that can be identified as a SSG sling can be retagged if it otherwise passes inspection.

A: Unprotected slings should not be used since the forks will tend to cut slings under load. Hooks for attachment to forklift forks are designed specifically for this purpose.

A: Since the eye is essentially a basket hitch in itself, there is no need for a two-ply eye on a two-ply sling.

A: Sling connects the crane hook to the load and is an import rigging tool. Slings can be made of steel wire rope, chains or synthetic manmade fibers like polyester, nylon, K-spec or Kevlar. A synthetic sling is a sling made up of synthetic yarn like nylon, polyester or K-spec.

A: Synthetic slings made of manmade high tenacity fibers have many advantages and conventional wire ropes and chains. Some of these are:

Very light and therefore easy to rig and handle.

Do not damage sensitive or delicate surfaces, therefore lower industrial wastage.

Are color coded for ease of identification, therefore less chances of misuse.

Improve productivity and employee morale, therefore better labor relationships.

Do not rust or corrode and therefore do not weaken with age.

Easy visual inspection, saving frequent inspection and proof load costs.

Save storage costs as they are flexible and light and therefore easy to store.

Grips load tightly along the contours of the load.

Eliminates need for consumables like grease and hand gloves, therefore lower recurring costs.

Lower injuries to employees and riggers, therefore lower compensation claims.

Reduces machine downtime, in industries where dies or work rolls will have to be changed using slings.

A: The disadvantages if used improperly are:

Can be easily cut or damaged if used unprotected over sharp edges.

Cannot be used in temperatures exceeding 80 degree Celsius.

Higher initial cost compared to conventional slings but payback period is very quick.

A: Yes, however please call us and if after inspection and testing we find that the inner core yarns are not damaged, we will repair the sling at a very nominal cost.

A: The K-spec fiber is the "best" fiber in terms of high strength and very low stretch equivalent to steel. However it is also an expensive fiber. But for slings of capacity over 30 Metric Tonnes safe working load, there is no alternative to K-spec fiber. However, for slings of capacity from 1 MT to 30 MT, polyester and nylon are normally used. Polyester is a preferred fiber because it stretches much less than nylon and has much better resistance to chemicals and sunlight.