Textile lifting slings, including flat webbing slings and round slings , are widely used in material handling and lifting operations. Although their construction is different, the testing principles, safety requirements, and inspection methods are highly similar. This guide explains how lifting slings are tested, what standards apply, and what engineers should check before use. Four Testing and Inspection Commonalities Commonality 1: The absolute authority of tags The identification tag affixed to a sling holds absolute authority, serving as its legal "identity card." For both flat webbing slings and round slings, the absence of the tag, its coverage by paint, or its fading to the extent that the Working Load Limit (WLL), material composition, or manufacturer information becomes illegible shall render the sling automatically disqualified. In such cases, no further tensile testing or supplementary inspection is warranted. The sole and correct course of action...
Soft shackles are becoming increasingly popular in off-road recovery, marine operations, and industrial lifting. Compared with traditional steel shackles, they are lighter, safer, and more flexible. Made from high-strength synthetic fibers such as UHMWPE or HMPE, soft shackles offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios while reducing the risk of injury during failure. What Is a Soft Shackle? When shackles are no longer heavy. Soft shackles replace steel with braided UHMWPE fiber, consisting of a rope body, an adjustable eye, and a locking knot at the end—with an optional protective sleeve for added abrasion resistance. They deliver the full connecting functionality of metal shackles while achieving extreme lightweight and operational convenience—no wrenches, no corrosion concerns, offering a more efficient solution for modern rope-based operations. What Materials Are Soft Shackles Made Of? Most high-quality soft shackles use: 1. UHMWPE / HMPE Features: ...