Chains

Alloy Lifting Chains Available from Holloway

Our alloy chain inventory covers Grade 80, Grade 100, and Grade 120 for overhead lifting and sling fabrication. Stainless steel chain is stocked in Grade 60 (Cromox, AISI 316L) for marine, offshore, and chemical environments. Grade 70 transport chain and binder chain are available for DOT-compliant flatbed and cargo securement applications.

The chain is stocked in diameters from 9/32" to 1", with working load limits ranging from 880 lbs (stainless) to 59,700 lbs (Grade 100 alloy, 1" diameter). All chains stocked by Holloway meet or exceed ASTM A391, NACM specifications, and ASME B30.9 requirements. Holloway has been a distributor of industrial lifting products for 65+ years.

Alloy Lifting Chains Available from Holloway

Alloy steel lifting chain is the standard material for industrial chain slings, rigging assemblies, and below-the-hook lifting applications. Unlike carbon steel chains, alloy chains are heat-treated quenched and tempered to achieve a strength-to-weight ratio suitable for overhead lifting. Holloway stocks Peerless alloy chain in Grade 80, Grade 100, and Grade 120 across a full range of sizes.

Grade 100 Alloy Chain (Peerless)

The Peerless Grade 100 alloy lifting chain is Holloway's most specified chain for new sling assemblies and high-capacity rigging. Grade 100 delivers approximately 25% higher working load limits than Grade 80 at the same chain diameter, meaning a smaller, lighter chain achieves the same or greater capacity. A 7/16" Grade 100 chain carries roughly the same WLL as a 1/2" Grade 80 chain, while weighing approximately 25% less per foot. For riggers working with sling weight or clearance constraints, Grade 100 is the practical choice.

Holloway stocks Peerless Grade 100 alloy chains in sizes from 9/32" through 1" diameter.

• Heat-treated alloy steel, quenched and tempered.
• WLL range: 4,300 lbs (9/32") to 59,700 lbs (1") in a vertical hitch.
• Rated for continuous use up to 400°F with no WLL reduction.
• ASTM A391 and NACM compliant.
• Identified by blue markings (Peerless convention).
• Approved for overhead lifting per ASME B30.9.

For a detailed grade comparison, see our Grade 100 vs Grade 80 chain sling comparison

Grade 80 Alloy Chain

Grade 80 alloy chain is the industry standard that defined overhead lifting chain when it was introduced in the 1970s. It remains the most widely used alloy chain grade for general rigging, chain sling fabrication, and industrial lifting. Grade 80 offers a proven balance of strength, availability, and cost for applications where Grade 100's additional capacity is not required.

• The first chain grade approved for overhead lifting.
• Suitable for chain slings, assemblies, and all rigging applications.
• Rated for continuous use up to 400°F without WLL reduction.
• Black finish standard.
• ASTM A391 and NACM compliant.

Grade 120 Alloy Chain

Grade 120 is the highest-capacity alloy chain available for overhead lifting. It delivers approximately 50% higher WLL than Grade 80 at the same chain diameter, making it the choice for applications where maximum capacity in minimum weight and size is critical - offshore rigging, crane operations with tight load envelopes, and high-cycle industrial lifting where sling weight directly affects rigger fatigue. Available through Holloway for applications requiring the top of the alloy chain performance range.

Stainless Steel Lifting Chains

Grade 60 Stainless Steel Chain (Cromox)

Holloway stocks Cromox Grade 60 stainless steel lifting chain for environments where alloy steel chain would corrode, contaminate, or degrade. Cromox chain is manufactured from AISI 316L stainless steel the same alloy specified for marine-grade hardware and resists saltwater, chemicals, acids, and extreme temperature cycling that would compromise alloy steel chain performance and service life.

Cromox stainless steel lifting chain is specified for:

• Offshore platforms and marine lifting environments.
• Food and pharmaceutical processing facilities.
• Chemical plants, refineries, and washdown areas.
• Any environment where alloy chain corrosion is a documented concern.

Available configurations include standard lifting chain, anchor chain, and hoist chain. Sizes range from 3/32" to 1" diameter. Grade 60 stainless steel chain carries lower working load limits than alloy chain of the same diameter when selecting between alloy and stainless, confirm that the stainless WLL meets your lift requirements before specifying.

Transport Chain & Binder Chain

Holloway stocks Grade 70 transport chain and binder chain for cargo securement and flatbed trucking applications. Grade 70 transport chain commonly called trucker's chain is specifically engineered for tie-down and load-binding applications per DOT FMCSA regulations. It is NOT approved for overhead lifting and must not be used in crane or hoist applications.

• Grade 70 transport chain with clevis grab hooks available.
• Higher tensile strength than Grade 43 (high-test chain).
• Gold chromate finish for corrosion resistance and grade identification in the field.
• Designed to pair with chain binders (load binders) for flatbed securement.
• Meets NACM specifications and DOT FMCSA cargo securement requirements.

Browse Grade 70 transport chain with clevis grab hooks in our product listings.

Important: Grade 70 transport chain must never be used for overhead lifting. For overhead lifting applications, Grade 80 or higher alloy steel chain is required per ASME B30.9 standards.

Chain Grades Explained - 80 vs 100 vs 120

Chain grade is a designation that corresponds to the minimum breaking force and working load limit of the chain relative to its diameter. The grade number reflects the approximate percentage strength improvement over Grade 30 carbon steel chain the historical baseline. Grade 80 is roughly 80% stronger than Grade 30 at the same diameter; Grade 100 is approximately 100% stronger; Grade 120 approximately 120% stronger.

Only Grades 80, 100, and 120 are approved for overhead lifting. Grades 30, 43, and 70 are carbon steel or heat-treated carbon chains designed for towing, binding, and securement not vertical lifts. Using a non-rated grade chain for overhead lifting is a serious safety violation regardless of the chain's physical appearance or breaking strength.

For new chain sling assemblies, Grade 100 is now the most commonly specified grade because it delivers higher capacity in a smaller, lighter chain than Grade 80. This reduces sling weight, improves rigging ergonomics, and provides safety margin headroom without adding cost per lift. Grade 80 remains a proven and cost-effective standard where its WLL meets the application requirement.

For a deeper breakdown of how grade affects sling assembly selection, read our full guide: Chain Sling Grades Explained: 80 vs 100 vs 120

Chain Applications by Industry

Overhead Lifting & Rigging

Alloy chain in Grade 80 and Grade 100 is the backbone of Chain slings and rigging assemblies across industrial operations. Holloway stocks chain for single-leg, double-leg, and quad-leg sling configurations, as well as bulk chain by the foot or drum for custom fabrication. Applications include overhead crane operations, electric and manual hoist systems, and below-the-hook lifting devices. Chain slings fabricated from alloy chain are the preferred rigging method where wire rope or synthetic slings would be damaged by heat, sharp edges, or abrasive load surfaces.

Offshore & Marine

Cromox Grade 60 stainless steel chain from Holloway is engineered for the saltwater, chemical, and humidity exposure of offshore platforms, marine lifting operations, and subsea applications. Where corrosion protection takes priority and alloy chain cannot be adequately maintained, AISI 316L stainless steel chain provides long service life without sacrificing load capacity. Alloy chain with appropriate coatings is also deployed in marine environments where load capacity is the primary specification requirement.

Petrochemical & Refinery

Chain slings and rigging assemblies are critical tools during turnarounds, reactor pulls, heat exchanger lifts, and column change-outs throughout the petrochemical and refinery sector. Holloway's Houston Ship Channel location positions us to support Gulf Coast operations with chain inventory, fabricated slings, and proof-tested assemblies ready for immediate deployment. Grade 100 alloy chain is the most common specification for turnaround rigging where weight-efficient capacity is a priority.

Transportation & Cargo Securement

Grade 70 transport chain and binder chain are the DOT-compliant standard for flatbed load securement across trucking and heavy haul operations. Holloway stocks transport chain assemblies with clevis grab hooks for immediate use in cargo tie-down and load binding. All Grade 70 transport chain meets NACM specifications and DOT FMCSA requirements for working load limits and construction. Contact Holloway for bulk transport chain pricing for fleet and logistics operations.

Chain Standards & Compliance

All lifting chain stocked by Holloway conforms to applicable industry standards. When ordering chain for overhead lifting applications, the relevant standards governing design, performance, and use are:

• ASME B30.9 : Slings the safety standard covering the design, manufacture, inspection, testing, and use of alloy steel chain slings.
• ASTM A391 : Standard specification for Grade 80 alloy steel chain.
• NACM : National Association of Chain Manufacturers welded chain specifications, covering Grade 70 through Grade 120.
• DOT FMCSA : Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cargo securement requirements for Grade 70 transport chain.
• OSHA 1910.184 : Slings standard for general industry, applicable to chain slings used in lifting operations.

Holloway provides proof test certificates and material certifications with chain orders. All lifting chain is proof-tested to twice the working load limit before shipment per NACM specifications. Documentation is available for quality audits, compliance records, and engineered lift plan requirements.

Why Buy Lifting Chains from Holloway?

Holloway is not a catalog distributor. We are a vertically integrated rigging company that stocks the chain, builds the slings, proof-tests the assemblies, and certifies the equipment all under one roof in Houston, Texas.

• 65+ years in industrial lifting : Holloway has been a distributor of rigging and lifting products since 1960.
• 250+ employees : the nation's largest single-location sling shop.
• Authorized Peerless and Cromox distributor : dual OEM brands means greater grade and configuration coverage than most competitors.
• Chain sold by the foot or full drum : no minimum order requirement; call (713) 675-3900 for per-foot pricing.
• In-house sling fabrication : Holloway builds Chain slings from the chain it stocks; every link in the assembly is sourced and tested by the same team.
• Proof testing and certification included : all assemblies ship with proof test certificates and WLL documentation.
• Houston Ship Channel location : same-day delivery capability for petrochemical, refinery, and marine customers in the Gulf Coast corridor.
• ISO 9001 certified quality management system.
• Technical support from rigging professionals : our team specifies chain slings for complex lifts; they do not just process orders.

"Holloway doesn't just sell chain. We build slings, test assemblies, and certify equipment with the same chain we stock. That means every link is backed by hands-on expertise."