Double Leg - 5-20 ft

Product Education

Nylon Webbing Sling Educational Content

The Quality Difference

Low quality products can cause injury and damage. Look-a-like nylon slings, often found at lower prices, are also often advertised to conform to the same safety standards, if at all. Be aware that it may refer to safety ratings in effect decades ago. So for example, under the same safety standard a decade ago, a nylon sling may be rated to 100% without proof load testing while today it may be 300% with proof load testing. Be assured that we only sell the highest quality nylon slings and our advertised safety standards conform to the current ASME standards.

Types of Hitches of Nylon Slings

How Nylon Webbing Sling Capacities Change with Varying Angle of Use:

Working load limits, or capacity, of nylon slings vary depending on the angle of use. The capacity is reduced as the angle of use declines. See drawing below how a 1,000 lbs capacity is reduced as the angle of use declines. The nylon web sling capacity is always highest at a 90 degree angle of use and smallest at an angle of 30 degrees or less.

Nylon Web Slings, Classes, Uses, and Limitations

In the field, a nylon web sling is often commonly referred to as a 'choker', and has the advantage of being lightweight. It is very flexible and relatively soft; therefore, it is suitable in applications were minimal damage to the load's surface finish is important. When the flat style webbing sling is employed it can be wrapped around a load, evenly distributing the lifting force over a relatively wide area, thereby reducing the contact pressure. Flat and round varieties are available and they are manufactured in numerous widths and lengths and are available in 1, 2, 3, and 4 ply thickness to accommodate a range of loads. Class 7 heavy duty service nylon webbing is most commonly used in fabrication. Other classes, 6 through 9, are also sometimes used in fabrication.

Without adequate protection, nylon slings are susceptible to abrasion or being severed when impinged on even a moderately sharp edge. Wear pads and sleeves add material thickness, and are available to provide abrasion protection at vulnerable points along the nylon sling.

Exposures to certain chemicals and high temperatures are important considerations when choosing a nylon sling. Nylon is resistant to most regularly encountered chemicals, with the exception of moderate strength acids and bleaches. Elevated temperatures, above 200 degrees F, significantly reduce the rated load capacity. While not as much of a problem, prolonged exposure to sunlight results in UV degradation of the nylon.

Nylon web slings can be fabricated to be endless, also known as a grommet sling, or with an eye at each end. Nylon eyes can be plain or fitted with various metal end fittings to allow vertical, choker, or basket hitch lift arrangements.

The Difference Between Nylon Slings, Wire Rope Slings, and Chain Slings

The three basic types of sling material each have advantages and limitations.

Chain Slings

The chain sling has the advantage of being durable, very flexible, and its length can be made adjustable. It will tolerate a wide range of temperatures, however compared to other types, it is relatively expensive.  Depending upon the grade of chain used, it can be relatively heavy.

Wire Rope Slings

The wire rope sling is not quite as durable. It is not as flexible as chain, but its greater stiffness can be an advantage if it has to be inserted through a small opening or beneath a load. However, when wrapped around a load, it often tends to deform permanently to the shape of the load. Wire rope suitable for slings comes in a variety of grades and constructions. In most cases looping back and securing the loop with a metal sleeve terminates the rope. This forms a loop or soft eye, the simplest form of sling end. Thimbles are used to support and protect the eye from abrasion. Wire rope is generally cheaper and lighter than chain which can be a plus, particularly for applications that require long lengths.

Nylon Slings

The nylon sling has the advantage of being lightweight in comparison to chain and wire rope. Nylon is very flexible and relatively soft, therefore it is suitable in applications were minimal damage to the load's surface finish is important. The webbing sling is made endless or terminated with an eye by means of a handmade splice. Similar to a wire rope sling, various terminal fittings are available. Without adequate protection, a nylon sling is susceptible to being severed when impinging on even a relatively moderate sharp edge.

 

The Differences Between Various Nylon Slings

Nylon slings can be plain or fabricated with various metal end attachment fittings to allow vertical, choker, or basket hitch lift arrangements. The industry has standardized 'Type numbers' to designate the various combinations of metal and nylon end fittings available for nylon slings. A description of each follows:

Type 1: The fittings consist of a small metal triangle eye on one end and a larger slotted triangle metal choker style fitting on the other end. This arrangement is commonly referred to as a Triangle & Choker or 'TC' nylon sling. This arrangement provides the most effective choker hitch. It can also be used in vertical and basket hitch lift arrangements.

Type 2: A webbing sling with Type 2 fittings is similar to the Type 1, except both ends are equipped with the smaller triangle style metal end fitting. For a given size and length, it is more economical than the Type 1. This nylon rope is not recommended for choker hitches, but is suitable for both vertical and basket hitch lift arrangements. This nylon sling is often referred to as Triangle & Triangle or 'TT' sling.

Type 3: Flat loop eyes formed of nylon and oriented in the same plane as the sling body comprise the Type 3 sling. It is often referred to as a Flat Eye & Eye, 'FEE', or Double Eye nylon sling. This nylon sling type is extremely versatile being used in all types of hitches. The flat cross section makes it easily removed from beneath the load once it has been placed.

Type 4: This is identical to the Type 3, except the flat nylon loop eyes are rotated 90° (degrees) to the plane of the main nylon sling body. Sometimes referred to as Twisted Eye & Eye nylon sling, it carries the same 'FEE' designation. The rotated plane of the eyes promote an improved choker hitch. When using the basket hitch arrangement, the two rotated eyes join compactly.

Type 5: This webbing sling has no end fittings. It is a simply constructed sling consisting of an endless loop of nylon webbing overlapped and sewn together. This nylon sling is economical and adaptable with uses in all hitch arrangements. Its continuous configuration offers no fixed wear points. This nylon sling is often referred to as a Grommet, it has been given the designation 'EN'.

Type 6: This is the type of eye to sling body configuration that is desired where continuous and extremely strong and durable applications are required. The eyes are reversed and are formed using multiple widths of webbing attached edge to edge. The entire web sling, both body and eyes, have wear pads attached on the top and bottom surfaces. In addition to abrasive protection, the extra webbing provides additional reinforcement resulting in exceptional strength. This nylon sling is also called a Reversed Eye or Return Eye, with the designation 'RE'.

Industry Names

Also known as a 'webbing sling', 'web sling', or 'synthetic web sling'.