Synthetic Chain

Is it the Real Deal for the Towing Industry?

By Terry Abejuela

Steel chain has been the standard in the towing and recovery industry since the beginning. Some might say, “If it’s not broken don’t fix it.” On the other hand, others prefer to ask, “Is there a better way?”

When it comes to new technology, there’s value to improving the equipment that we use to be more effective, efficient, and safer to use. Synthetic chain for lashing has only been on the market for about eight years now and is currently in limited use in the towing and recovery industry. Let’s take a closer look at synthetic chain and its potential for use in the towing and recovery industry.

Synthetic chain first came to my attention in 2015, while attending the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore. After presenting a seminar on synthetic ropes (a slightly different type of product), I was approached by a woman who asked me if I had heard of synthetic chain. She showed me a sample and it looked very intriguing, so I did some research on the chain and talked to fellow tow operators to get their opinions. Now, eight years later there are several towers who carry synthetic chain on their trucks, and towing equipment distributors that offer it for sale.

Fiber Content

What is synthetic chain? Synthetic chain is composed of links made of layers of webbing made from Dyneema fiber. This material is a lightweight, super-strong molecular polyethylene (UHMwPE) that is resistant to abrasion, cuts and UV rays, and also waterproof. Each link is constructed with a mobius twist to increase strength and is stitched on both sides of the link.

There are some great advantages to synthetic chain over steel chain.

Avoids Hazards

Synthetic chain is very useful in situations where steel chain can be hazardous. If there is live electrical at the scene, or you are dealing with a hybrid or full electric vehicles, synthetic chain does not conduct electricity. If there is a risk of fire, such as leaking fuel, synthetic chain will not cause any sparks.

Lifting chain must be used for overhead lifting and lashing chain for load securement. Synthetic lashing chain has a 2 to 1 design factor, and lifting chain has a 4 to 1 design factor. Synthetic lashing is not intended to be used for pulling, lifting or load handling. Either chain must have a manufacturers ID rating tag. You can always divide the MBL (Minimum Breaking Load) of the lashing chain by 4 and use a WLL (Working Load Limit) that is a 4 to 1 design factor and is consistent with lifting chains. Just like steel chain, synthetic chain can be used in a vertical, choker or basket hitch. The WLL is provided in a vertical hitch. Choker hitches will reduce the WLL by at least an abrasive or sharp material, sleeve protection must be used.

20 percent with a minimum choke angle of 120 degrees. A basket hitch will provide up to 200 percent of the vertical hitch WLL depending on the loadto-sling angle.

Hooking Up

One difference between steel chain and synthetic chain is the ability to utilize two different types of choker hitches with synthetic chain. One way is to use what is referred to as a “traditional or sliding choker hitch” or an “anchored basket hitch.” When the hook is attached around the link and is able to slide, it is a traditional or sliding choker hitch. When the hook is attached to a link it is an anchored basket hitch. Unloaded links should not be placed between the loaded link and body of the hook. While synthetic chain must be used straight to obtain the WLL, a maximum twist of ½ turn per yard is acceptable.

These are the only two sizes used in the towing and recovery industry. The light blue one has a MBF of 10 metric tons or 22,460 lbs. For lashing it has a design factor of 2 to 1, so it would have a WLL of 5 metric tons or 10,000 lbs. Synthetic chain is also made and sold with a MBF of 72 metric tons, or 158,000 lbs.

Steel chain can elongate close to 20 percent at the MBL, but synthetic chain has a linear elongation of less than five percent at MBL.

Cautions On Usage

Synthetic chain should be visually inspected after each use and a more detailed link-by-link inspection conducted at least once per month. Synthetic chain must be removed from service for any of the following conditions:

-Exposure to temperatures of 230 degrees Fahrenheit (110

Celsius) or more

-Any degree of torn, damaged or missing stitching

-If one or more layers of the link leg are cut, abraded or torn

-A visible cut or abrasion of more than 1mm on the side of the link leg

-The ID Rating tag is damaged, missing or illegible

ANY DOWNSIDES?

The disadvantages of synthetic chain versus steel chain are cutting, abrasion and the need for additional hardware. Some hooks may not work well with synthetic chain due to the bunching of the chain link in the bow of the hook. There are attachment links and hooks that are specifically designed for use with synthetic chain. Lastly, at this point in time synthetic chain is more expensive than steel chain.

Although synthetic chain probably won’t replace steel chain in the towing and recovery industry in the near future, tow operators can no doubt see the many benefits of having this new type of equipment in their wreckers’ toolboxes.