Chain should be removed from service if the elongation exceeds what percentage?

Chain should be removed from service if the elongation exceeds what percentage?

• A. 15%
• B. 10%
• C. 5%
• D. 20%

Answer: (B)

Safety rests on recognizing when a chain has stretched too much under load. Steel chain stretches as it carries a load, and once enough plastic deformation has occurred, its strength and geometry are compromised, raising the risk of sudden failure. The standard practice for chain slings is to remove the chain from service when permanent elongation reaches ten percent of its original length. Measuring involves comparing the chain’s length under load to its unstressed length; if the difference is ten percent or more, discard and inspect for additional damage. This threshold helps ensure you maintain adequate strength and control during lifting. Smaller limits like five percent would be overly restrictive for normal use, while higher limits such as fifteen or twenty percent allow continued use with a significantly weakened chain and greater risk of failure.

Safety rests on recognizing when a chain has stretched too much under load. Steel chain stretches as it carries a load, and once enough plastic deformation has occurred, its strength and geometry are compromised, raising the risk of sudden failure. The standard practice for chain slings is to remove the chain from service when permanent elongation reaches ten percent of its original length. Measuring involves comparing the chain’s length under load to its unstressed length; if the difference is ten percent or more, discard and inspect for additional damage. This threshold helps ensure you maintain adequate strength and control during lifting. Smaller limits like five percent would be overly restrictive for normal use, while higher limits such as fifteen or twenty percent allow continued use with a significantly weakened chain and greater risk of failure.