Lifting slings can often be cumbersome because of their weight. These heavy products make it difficult for workers to maneuver loads. These same cumbersome lifting slings are also responsible for scratching, marring, and crushing delicate loads. To avoid issues like this, material handling companies often turn to synthetic slings because they offer strength, flexibility, and support. Some of the benefits of using synthetic slings include:
Flexibility – these slings mold to the exact shape of irregular and delicate loads. In essence, the sling conforms to the load like a glove, which offers high protection levels. The flexibility of slings makes them extremely versatile. They are used in choker, vertical, and basket hitches.
Inexpensive – the lightweight design of these products makes them inexpensive to produce and ship. When cost is a factor, but you do not want to sacrifice strength, you should choose nylon slings.
Variety – synthetic slings are constructed from different materials (each of which offers unique benefits). It is important to choose materials based on the lifting application.
Safe – synthetic slings are both non-conductive and non-sparking, which means they are safe to use in most environments. For instance, in an explosive work environment, you should consider using nylon slings.
Nylon Slings
Polyester and nylon slings are the two most popular synthetic materials used. Choosing between the two should depend on your needs for chemical and temperature resistance and the amount of stretching. Polyester slings stretch to approximately 3% of their rated capacity, whereas nylon slings stretch between 8 and 10%.
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