Slings are an integral part of a variety of lifting jobs, and synthetic slings are an excellent choice over chain slings or wire rope slings, due to their more cost-effective, strong, lightweight, and easy to stow.
Popular Types of Synthetic Lifting Slings
Synthetic lifting slings are made from nylon and woven polyester fibers and come in different types.
Flat Webbing Slings
Flat webbing slings are made of high-quality polyester yarn or nylon and are strong and flexible lifting straps. Generally, the web slings are color-coded by capacity for quick identification, and manufactured under EN 1492-1 to indicate the Working Load Limit (W.L.L). Class 5 and Class 7 are yellow under ASME B30.9 or AS 1353 standard with a safety factor of 8:1.
Round Slings
Round slings are manufactured from polyester or nylon with core fibers inside and covered with a protective jacket. This constructed woven fabric sleeve provides a protection layer for the sling’s core yarns and the items being lifted.
Our round slings are also color-coded in accordance with EN 1492-2:2000, ASME/ANSI B30.9.
Applications of Synthetic Slings
Synthetic slings are lightweight, flexible, cost-effective, durable, and easy to store, making them an ideal choice for providing security to transport and lifting heavy loads, especially for fragile cargo.
They are easier to handle and conform to the shape of loading than chain slings or wire rope slings. HTSLINGS provides the best quality slings for various industrial applications.
Construction
Synthetic slings are lightweight, flexible, and durable, making them a great choice for loading and moving heavy construction materials on the job sites.
Mining
Equipment recovery has been improved dramatically, with the synthetic round slings in surface mining operations, due to high performance, and low elongation fibers, which load up to 200 tonnes, and do not store energy like wire rope and chain slings exerting on the sling during lifting.
Shipping
Synthetic slings are more resistant to abrasion, corrosion, and extreme weather conditions, making them a more reliable choice for unfriendly environments during shipping.
How to Choose the Right Synthetic Slings
When selecting synthetic slings, it’s important to consider various factors to ensure your lifting and moving heavy objects and equipment safety, efficiency, and reliability. Here are some factors to consider:
Sling Materials
There are two main sling materials available, polyester and nylon.
Polyester Slings
Polyester slings are known for high resistance to chemicals, UV rays, and abrasion. They are ideal for environments where acids or other corrosive substances are present. Polyester slings are less resistant to alkaline environments including aldehydes, ethers, and strong alkali agents, so not recommended in these chemical environments
Nylon Slings
Nylon slings, offer slightly more stretch than polyester slings(10% and 7%), providing a cushioning effect to avoid shock loading. However, they are less resistant to acids or bleaching agents. Nylon slings are highly durable and can handle heavy loads, making them a popular choice for many industries.
Factors to Consider
When choosing synthetic slings for safe equipment handling and lifting of loads, it’s essential to consider various factors. These factors help determine the appropriate choice of synthetic sling for your specific application.
Load Weight
Load weight is also known as Working Load Limit (W.L.L), it is the maximum load that a sling specified rated capacity, that you should not exceed when lifting or moving objects. Always refer to the sling’s Working Load Limit (W.L.L), which indicates on the traceability label. This information is crucial for preventing overloading and ensuring safe lifting operations.
Size Restrictions
Ensure that the sling’s size(length and width) is appropriate for lifting heavy objects. The length should fit securely to the distance between the load and the lifting point(the lifting height affects the length of the sling), while the width usually means the sling can provide adequate support load limit.
Shape of the Load
It will keep lifting equipment to maintain stability and prevent the load from shifting during lifting when considering the load’s shape, weight distribution, and center of gravity with a suitable hitch type(vertical, basket, or choker hitch).
Environment Conditions
The working environment can significantly impact the performance and lifespan of synthetic slings. Factors like temperature, moisture, chemicals, and UV exposure:
Temperature: Polyester and nylon slings have specific temperature limits. Polyester slings are suitable for temperatures ranging from -40°C to +100°C, while nylon slings can be used from -40°C to +90°C. Exceeding these limits can weaken the strength and lifespan.
Chemicals: Polyester slings are more resistant to acids, while nylon slings are more resistant to alkalis. Ensure the sling material is compatible with the chemicals it may encounter.
UV Exposure: Prolonged exposure to UV light can degrade synthetic slings. Polyester slings offer better UV resistance compared to nylon.
Safety Factor
The safety factor is the ratio of the breaking strength to the maximum load limit. A typical safety factor for synthetic slings ranges from 5:1 to 8:1. It is vital to ensure an appropriate safety factor in safe lifting operations.
Conclusion
Selecting the right synthetic slings involves many factors, For further assistance in choosing the proper type of synthetic slings or you want to get customized service, feel free to contact our team. We are here to help you make an informed decision and provide high-quality, reliable lifting slings solutions.
