DEFINITIONS

Koch Industries cares about our customers’ safety and well-being. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with descriptions to terms often associated with products Koch Industries sells to ensure you and others use them as intended. Always inspect your product for wear and degradation before use.

Frictional surface wear on the product and/or components.

The additional stress that is imposed on the product as a result of an increase in load velocity.

The ultimate load at which a tensile strength failure occurs in the representative samples being tested. Breaking strength is a manufacturing test in which a load is applied to the representative sample product under increasing force applied by a testing machine. Breaking strength should not be used for design, service, or application purposes. Koch Industries does not normally refer to breaking strengths in any of its publications or website.

The ratio of the nominal strength to the total breaking load.

Any functional accessory attached to a chain, rope, or wire rope. This term may be loosely applied to any product shown in this publication.

This is a manufacturing test in which a load in pounds is applied to a representative sample of the product under increasing force as applied by a testing machine. This is a manufacturing test and is not intended for service or design purposes.

This is a manufacturing test referring to a load in pounds which the product has withstood during a test in which increasing tension is applied to the product.

That which exceeds the static load caused by a rapid change of movement like jerking, impacting dropping, swinging of a load, or a rapid stop of the load at the end of the product’s length are difficult to calculate and should be avoided. Maximum load ratings will not apply in this case.

The maximum load or rated capacity in pounds that shall be applied in direct tension and with steady force to a straight length of chain, cable, rope, fitting or other attachment under normal conditions. Shock loads, acceleration stress, non-straight line loading or other extraordinary conditions should be avoided when using these products. The maximum load should never be exceeded.

ROPE: WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS

Maximum loads and other ratings shown in this website are applicable only to new or “in as new” condition products. Merchandise not marked with “Maximum Load” are non-load rated applications only and should not be used in critical lifting or tension situations.

Maximum load indicates the greatest load a product can carry under normal conditions. Factors that will reduce the load capacity include shock loads, acceleration of the load, product damage, twisting, knotting, kinking, corrosion, elongation, or damage of any type to the product making it in less than a “new condition”. Any product that is damaged should be immediately withdrawn from service and permanently discarded in a manner to insure that the product will not be used again.

Maximum loads are based on data from manufacturers and their products. Maximum loads are determined on a design factor ratio of the minimum breaking strength if the product is in new condition. Design factors set by the Cordage Institute vary from 5 – 12 for non-critical applications. Because of the infinite number of cordage constructions, materials, uses, and conditions, it is not realistic or possible to make a standard blanket maximum load recommendation. Maximum loads published in our website or catalogs are applied to rope in a new condition and under non-critical applications, with normal service conditions. Normal service is generally considered to be use under minimal dynamic or mild static load conditions. Never exceed the maximum load.

Rope recoils in an oscillating, unpredictable path, away from the point of failure with great impact. Never allow anyone to stand in line or alongside a rope under tension. If the rope fails, serious damage, injury, or death may result from the recoil of the rope or from any parts or attachments.

Select your rope and any connecting hardware specific for the use and conditions. Match all components to maximum loads. Inspect rope and its components on a regular basis. Take any product showing cuts, worn, frayed lengths, or any other deformation out of service.

Design factors should only be selected with expert knowledge of use and conditions.

Rope will last longer under proper care, storage, and use. Please keep safety foremost in your mind when using any product. Misuse of any product may result in damage to property, injury, or death.

CHAIN: WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS

None of the chain, fittings, and attachments shown in this website are suitable or intended for overhead lifting, hoisting purposes, or where failure is likely to cause damage to property, life, or limb.

GENERAL WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS

All attachments used with chain, wire rope, and rope must be of suitable material, type, and strength to provide adequate safety protection. All attachments should have a minimum working load limit rating at least equal to (and no less than) the other components which they are being used with.

Inspect products regularly and before application for visible damage, cracks, wear, elongation, corrosion, or any other signs of damage. Any product showing signs of damage should be immediately withdrawn from service and disposed of.

Koch Industries reserves the right to change specifications, dimensions, ratings, etc. at any time and without notification. Exact dimensional or design requirements should be confirmed before time of purchase. All dimensions are nominal and all weights are approximate.

A Situation of Critical Conditions of Use is a factor and the advice of an expert should be solicited if any of the following situations exist:

  • Load forces are not accurately known

  • Users of the product are unfamiliar with the product or not properly trained

  • Inspection is infrequent or the rope, chain or wire rope has been in service for a long period of time, or in service under severe conditions

  • Small diameter ropes are being used

  • Shock loads or high dynamic loads are possible

  • Tension is maintained on the rope for a long period of time

  • Rope is subjected to sharp radius bends, small diameter pulleys or sheaves

  • Chemicals, dirt, abrasion, or high temperatures are present

  • Knots are being used. A knot can reduce the rope’s strength by 50 percent