Which statement about sling stretch is correct?

• A. Nylon slings stretch 8-10% at rated capacity
• B. Chain slings stretch 80-90% at rated capacity
• C. Nylon slings do not stretch
• D. Chain slings stretch 0-5% at rated capacity

Answer: (A)

Understanding how sling materials behave under load helps you predict how a lift will behave. Nylon slings are synthetic fibers that stretch noticeably when loaded. At rated capacity, they elongate about 8–10% of their length, which helps absorb some shock and soften the lift. Chain slings, being steel, stretch far less—roughly 0–5% at rated capacity—so they don’t provide the same shock absorption and their length stays nearly constant during the lift. Because nylon does stretch, statements saying nylon does not stretch are inaccurate, and the idea that chain slings stretch anywhere near 80–90% is far from typical. The 8–10% elongation for nylon best reflects how these slings behave under load. Keep in mind this elongation means you must account for length changes when rigging and during the lift to keep the load stable.