Wire Rope Slings: Types and How to Choose

Author：Solidlink Hot：

Wire rope slings are the workhorse of heavy lifting, used wherever chain or webbing is not the right fit. But the type of sling, its construction and its termination all affect capacity and safety. This guide explains the main types and how to choose.

What Is a Wire Rope Sling?

A wire rope sling is an assembly made from steel wire rope with a termination at one or both ends, such as an eye, thimble or ferrule. It connects a lifting hook to a load and is rated by working load limit.

Types of Wire Rope Slings

Single-leg sling: one rope with an eye at each end.
Two-leg and multi-leg slings: several legs joined to a master link.
Endless (grommet) sling: a continuous loop with no ends.
Braided sling: braided wire rope for extra flexibility.

Wire Rope Construction

Common constructions are 6x19, which is flexible and general-purpose, and 6x37, which is more flexible and better around small sheaves. The core can be fiber core (FC) or independent wire rope core (IWRC); IWRC is stronger and more resistant to crushing.

How to Choose a Wire Rope Sling

Match the WLL to the load and the hitch type.
Account for the sling angle: capacity drops as the angle from vertical increases.
Choose the construction for the bend radius and environment.
Check the termination and thimble for wear.

Inspection

Before each lift, check for broken wires, kinks, corrosion, crushed strands and damaged terminations. A sling with a broken termination must be taken out of service.