GLOSSARY

Aircraft Cable Generic term used to denote wire ropes with diameters generally less than 3/8” inches and constructions of 7x7 and 7x19. It is a general purpose wire rope that’s useful in a variety of applications including winches, pulleys, dog runs, fitness equipment, fences, sailboat rigging and bicycle locks.

Barrel Plating Method of electroplating small parts in large groups. Parts or components are placed inside a barrel and slowly tumbled or rotated as they are immersed in a number of different chemical tanks during the plating process.

Clevis A u-shaped or forked metal connector within which another part can be fastened by means of a bolt or pin passing through the ends of the connectory.

Clevis Hook A clevis hook is a hook, with or without a snap lock (latch), with a clevis and bolt or pin at the base. The clevis is used to fasten the hook to a bracket or chain.

Dimensions Chain dimensions can include length, width, diameter, and pitch. Different types of chain will have different dimensions.

Electroplating The process of plating one metal onto another by hydrolysis, most commonly for decorative purposes or to prevent corrosion of a metal.

Elongation Wear on a chain causing it to stretch over time. Chain has been loaded past its yield point but not yet past its tensile point.

Hot-Dip Galvanizing (HDG) Hot-Dip Galvanization (HDG) is a form of galvanization. It is the process of coating steel with zinc, which alloys with the surface of the base metal. HDG is widely used in applications where corrosion resistance is needed and it is considered superior in terms of cost and life-cycle. Mooring Chain is one specific type of chain that is Hot Dip Galvanized due to its exclusive use in marine conditions.

High Carbon Steel Typically contains over 0.8% carbon but less than 2.11% carbon. High Carbon Steel chain has a higher tensile strength and is more resistant to wear than general chain made from low carbon steel. Our Grade 70 transport chain is made from special high-carbon steel with increased hardenability and improved resistance to wear which allows greater practical strength-to-weight-ratio. High Carbon steel is the base material for High Test, Transport and Mooring chain.

Load Binder A device used to tighten chain to secure cargo for shipment or transport.

Low Carbon Steel Also referred to as mild steel, typically contains 0.04% to 0.30% carbon content. It is not an alloy steel, therefore it does not contain large amounts of other elements besides iron. Low carbon steel is more malleable, machineable and weldable than high carbon steel and other steels. It’s commonly used for automotive bodies, signs, structural steel, fencing wire, nails and architectural and design applications. The base material for the majority of our weldless chain is low carbon steel.

Minimum Breaking Force The "Minimum Breaking Force" is the minimum force at which the chain during manufacture has been found by testing to break when a constantly increasing force is applied in direct tension. Breaking force values are not guarantees that all chain segments will endure these loads. This test is a manufacturer's attribute acceptance test and shall not be used as a criterion for service or design purposes.

NACM An acronym for the National Association of Chain Manufacturers, a trade association in the United States that represents domestic manufacturers of welded and weldless chain and provides specifications to a wide array of industries.

Overhead Lifting The process of lifting that would elevate a freely suspended load to such a position that dropping the load would present a possibility of bodily injury or property damage. Perfection Chain products are NOT to be used for overhead lifting.

Overload Any static or dynamic load in excess of "Working Load Limit."

Proof Test The “Proof Test” (manufacturing test force) is a term designating the minimum tensile force which has been applied to a chain under a constantly increasing force in direct tension during the manufacturing process.

Shackle U-shaped piece of metal secured with a clevis pin or bolt across the opening, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism.

Tensile Strength Tensile strength is a measurement of the force required to pull something such as chain, wire, or a structural beam to the point where it breaks. The tensile strength of a material is the maximum amount of tensile stress that it can take before failure, for example breaking.

Welded Chain Industrial grade chain where individual links are welded together for strength. Commonly used for rigging and towing.

Weldless Chain A type of chain where the links are secured to each other by machine twisting or bending, but not welded. Weldless Chain is suited for many purposes where lightness, flexibility and relatively low strength are required.

Wire Rope Steel rope with a diameter generally 3/8” or larger, made of or containing strands of wire twisted together. Wire Rope can be used in numerous applications and industries including construction, mining, logging, trucking, oil and gas, marine and electrical.

Working Load Limit (WLL) The "Working Load Limit" (rated capacity) is the maximum load that shall be applied in direct tension to a new and undamaged straight length of chain.