Which statement describes chain slings?

• A. They generally do not stretch at rated capacity but can stretch 15-20% before failure
• B. They stretch 8-10% at rated capacity
• C. They stretch 30-40% before failure
• D. They are used only for lifting light loads

Answer: (A)

Chain slings are made from high-strength alloy steel and are designed to carry heavy loads with very little stretch under their rated capacity. This means the sling remains dimensionally stable at the working load, which is important for maintaining control and geometry during lifting. If the load exceeds what the sling is rated to handle, the steel begins to yield and the chain elongates, typically stretching about 15-20% before it fails. The other statements don’t reflect how chain slings behave: they don’t normally stretch 8-10% at rated capacity, nor would you expect 30-40% elongation before failure, and they are not limited to light loads but are used for heavy lifting across a wide range of capacities.