In material handling and heavy-duty rigging, two terms are frequently used side by side—lifting chain and chain sling. Although closely related, they perform different roles in a lifting system. A lifting chain is the fundamental load-bearing component made of alloy steel, while a chain sling is a complete lifting assembly built from that chain, equipped with hooks, master links, and fittings for practical use on cranes and hoists.

Understanding the difference between the two is crucial when specifying lifting equipment for construction, shipyards, mining operations, or industrial rigging. This guide provides a detailed comparison and explains how TOPONE CHAIN® manufactures both lifting chains and assembled chain slings for global customers.

What Is a Lifting Chain?

A lifting chain is a specially engineered chain designed for hoisting and load-bearing. Unlike ordinary industrial chain, it is manufactured from quenched and tempered alloy steel, typically Grade 80 (G80) or Grade 100 (G100), and must comply with strict international safety standards such as EN 818, ISO 3077, ASTM, or NACM.

Key Characteristics of Lifting Chain:

High tensile strength and fatigue resistance

Safe to use under shock loading

Works in harsh outdoor or industrial environments

Operates in high-temperature conditions where synthetic slings fail

Manufactured in various diameters to support different Working Load Limits (WLL)

What Is a Chain Sling?

A chain sling is a fully assembled lifting tool made from lifting chain and rigging components. It includes:

A master link (top connection to crane or hook)

One or more chain legs (made from lifting chain)

End fittings such as grab hooks, self-locking hooks, or foundry hooks

A lifting chain becomes a chain sling only after assembly, testing, certification, and marking. This is the tool that is actually used by riggers on-site.

Key Differences Between Lifting Chain and Chain Sling

Why They Must Be Used Together

The lifting chain provides the core strength, but cannot be attached directly to a crane or load without fittings. The chain sling solves this by integrating secure connection points and safety hardware.
This is why procurement departments often source both from the same manufacturer—to ensure compatibility, traceability, and certification continuity.

Types of Chain Slings Built from Lifting Chain

Chain slings can be configured based on the number of legs:

Selecting the Right Chain Solution

When choosing between a lifting chain and a chain sling, consider:

Load Capacity Requirements

Higher WLL → G100 recommended

General lifting → G80 suitable

Working Environment

Marine / corrosion: galvanized or stainless

High-temperature: alloy steel (chain slings outperform nylon)

Load Shape & Balance

Simple, vertical lifts → single-leg

Wide or multi-point lifts → multi-leg chain sling

Maintenance & Inspection

Chains must be checked for wear, elongation, and deformation

Hooks and master links should match the chain grade

Why TOPONE CHAIN®

TOPONE CHAIN® is one of the few manufacturers that supplies both the raw lifting chain and the finished chain sling. This ensures:

Full traceability from steel billet to finished sling

Consistent mechanical properties across all components

TÜV / CE / ISO9001 certified production

Faster delivery and more competitive pricing

Custom assembly options for international distributors

With nine automated production lines and strict heat treatment controls, TOPONE CHAIN® delivers stable product quality for heavy lifting across construction, shipyards, logistics terminals, and mining operations.

Conclusion

A lifting chain provides the structural strength required for heavy loads, while a chain sling is the full lifting solution ready for real-world rigging. One is the foundation, the other is the application. To ensure maximum safety and performance, they must be sourced from a certified, technically capable manufacturer such as TOPONE CHAIN®.

If you need reliable, industrial-grade lifting chains or fully assembled chain slings, TOPONE CHAIN® offers a complete product portfolio, manufacturing excellence, and global supply capability.