Marine air, concrete dust, and acid rain attack bare steel minute by minute. Rust siphons power, clogs hooks, and slows cranes. Topone G80 lifting chains zinc-coated protect each link with a tight alloy coating that fades away before red oxide occurs. The following publication explains how zinc resists corrosion, compares finishing options, shows real salt-spray results, and gives a sizing flow that matches load, angle, and environment. Read the steps, look at the charts, and select a chain that works as tough as you do—no guessing, no jammed links.

1 Why Rust Attacks Lifting Chains Severely

Water enters tight clearances, forms micro-pits, and accumulates stress concentrations at weld toes. G80 high-strength G80 links work at 25 % over the working stress of G63 chains, thus small pits become cracks very rapidly. Zinc keeps out moisture, reacts to form Zn(OH)₂, and stops oxygen from hitting the steel. One micron of zinc gives about a day's marine splash protection, thus a 70 µm coating buys two winter periods on deck.

2 Coating Options—Zinc Takes the Field

Hot-dip zinc has the highest number of hours because molten metal fills crevices and metallurgically bonds while sprayed paint chips on the first contact.

3 Within a Zinc-Coated Topone G80 Link

Topone quench tempers all G80 links to 35–45 HRC, then submerges chain in 450 °C molten zinc. Silicon content flux melts off oxides so zinc adheres to base metal. Average mass of coating is 610 g/m², equivalent to 75 µm thickness. Proof loading at 2.5 × WLL confirms the coat will withstand full mechanical stretch. Links have the embossed mark "8 – TPN" and heat code, so inspectors trace back to the melt sheet. scic-chain.com

4 Select Size, Bearing Corrosion in Mind

Wear life combines abrasion tests and salt-spray exposure. Chains on wet decks wear grit between links, and hence larger diameters have more life despite greater self-weight.

Sizing flow

Recorded heaviest normal load (DL).

Add chain, hook, and shackle weight.

Multiply by sling-angle factor according to EN 818-4.

Choose first diameter with WLL greater than that tension.

Check link outside diameter vs. hook throat and headroom.

Choose hot-dip zinc if exposure over 480 h salt-spray or downtime cost higher than coat cost.

5 Field Care—Zinc Needs Friends, Not Babysitters

Wash chains after chloride splash; running water loosens loose salt.

Oil lightly; thin coating fills pores in zinc coating.

Dangle chains on dry racks; puddles leach zinc quickly.

Monitor wear monthly; scrap at 10 % loss of diameter or 3 % five-link stretch.

Record each inspection, since zinc hides rust growth better than black paint.

6 Common Myths—Busted

Figure 1 – Hot-dip zinc chain stays bright silver; painted chain shows red rust in 96 h.

7 Quick Checklist—Decision within 60 Seconds

Environment: marine, yard, mill?

Load & angle: compute WLL required.

Headroom: confirm outside diameter provides room for hook space.

Wear life target: months to replacement.

Finish: choose hot-dip zinc for life ≥ 1 000 h salt-spray.

Log chain ID, finish, and date in CMMS.

Inspect all six and rust never surprises you.

Conclusion

Guard your lifts against corrosion, extend service life, and minimize downtime—specify the zinc-coated Topone G80 lifting chain today. Contact us for more information!