Designation: A 952/A 952M – 98 An American National Standard

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

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Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Specification for

Forged Grade 80 and Grade 100 Steel Lifting Components
and Welded Attachment Links1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 952/A 952M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope E 165 Test Method for Liquid Penetrant Examination6

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for forged E 709 Guide for Magnetic Particle Examination6
alloy steel lifting components and welded coupling and master 2.2 Other Standards:
links for Grade 80 and Grade 100 alloy chain slings. OSHA 1910.184 Slings7
1.2 Two grades of components and welded links are cov- ASME B30.9 Slings8
ered: ASME B30.10 Hooks8
1.2.1 Grade 80. 3. Terminology
1.2.2 Grade 100.
1.3 This specification is a performance standard. Other 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standards apply to use of these products. Some of these 3.1.1 breaking force, minimum—the minimum force in
standards are: OSHA 1910.184, ASME B30.10, and ASME pounds or newtons at which the component, in the condition it
B30.9. leaves the manufacturer, has been found by verification testing
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to to break when a constantly increasing force was applied in
be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units direct tension. Breaking force values are a statistical attribute
are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not verification test and are not a guarantee that all components
exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used inde- will endure these loads. Breaking force loads shall not be used
pendently of the other. Combining values from the two systems as criteria for service.
may result in nonconformance with the specification. 3.1.2 chain sling—an assembly consisting of alloy steel
chain joined to upper and lower end fittings for attaching loads
2. Referenced Documents to be lifted by a crane or lifting machine.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.1.3 coupling link—a link fitted to the end of the chain to
A 29/A 29M Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, connect either directly or through a secondary link to an upper
Hot-Wrought and Cold-Finished, General Requirements or lower end fitting. See Fig. 1.
for2 3.1.4 end fitting—a link, hook, or other component fitted at
A 391/A 391M Specification for Grade 80 Alloy Steel the end of a branch. See Fig. 1.
Chain2 3.1.5 master link—a link used as an upper end fitting of a
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for chain sling and by means of which the sling may be attached
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products3 to a crane or other device. See Fig. 1.
A 906 Specification for Alloy Steel Chain Slings for Over- 3.1.6 master coupling link (secondary or intermediate
head Lifting2 link)—a link used on three and four branch slings to connect
A 973/A 973M Specification for Grade 100 Alloy Steel the branches to a master link. See Fig. 1.
Chain2 3.1.7 overhead lifting—that process of lifting which would
E 4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines4 elevate a freely suspended load to such a position that dropping
E 44 Definitions of Terms Relating to Heat Treatment of the loads would present a possibility of bodily injury or
Metals5 property damage.
3.1.8 proof test—a quality control tensile test applied to
components for the purpose of verifying manufacturing and
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel,
material quality. It is the minimum force in pounds or newtons
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee which the component has withstood at the time it left the
A01.27 on Steel Chain. producer, under a test in which a constantly increasing force
Current edition approved March 10, 1998. Published August 1998. Originally
published as A 952–96. Last previous edition A 952–96e1.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
3 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
4 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. Available from OSHA.
5 8
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02. Available from ASME, 345 E. 47th Street, New York, NY 10017.

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 A 952/A 952M

FIG. 1 General Component Configuration

has been applied in direct tension. Proof test loads are a 3.1.9 traceability code—a series of letters, or numbers, or
manufacturing integrity test and shall not be used as criteria for both, marked on a component which enables its manufacturing
service. history, including identity of the steel heat, to be traced.
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 A 952/A 952M
3.1.10 working load limit (WLL)—the maximum combined 4.2 Sixteen classes of components are covered under this
static and dynamic load in pounds or kilograms that shall be specification. The general configuration on these components
applied in direct tension to the component. are shown in Fig. 1.
4. Classification 4.2.1 Class EGH—Eye Grab Hook.
4.1 Only Grade 80 and Grade 100 components are covered 4.2.2 Class CGH—Clevis Grab Hook.
under this specification. 4.2.3 Class ESH—Eye Sling Hook.

FIG. 1 General Component Configuration (continued)

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 A 952/A 952M

FIG. 1 General Component Configuration (continued)

4.2.4 Class CSH—Clevis Sling Hook. 80 and Grade 100 alloy steel chain nominal sizes. See Specification
4.2.5 Class EFH—Eye Foundry Hook. A 391/A 391M and A 973/A 973M.
4.2.6 Class CFH—Clevis Foundry Hook. 6. Materials
4.2.7 Class CLM—Coupling Link, Mechanical.
4.2.8 Class ESLH—Eye Self-Locking Hook. 6.1 Quality—The selection of the type of steel is left to the
4.2.9 Class CSLH—Clevis Self-Locking Hook. judgment of the manufacturer provided the material meets the
4.2.10 Class ECGH—Eye Claw Grab Hook. requirements set forth in 6.2 and 6.3.
4.2.11 Class CCGH—Clevis Claw Grab Hook. 6.2 Melting Process—The steel used shall be produced by
4.2.12 Class ML—Master Link. an electric process or by an oxygen blown process. The steel
4.2.13 Class MCL—Master Coupling Link. shall be fully killed and have an austenitic grain size of 5 or
4.2.14 Class CL—Coupling Link. finer.
4.2.15 Class CCL—Clevis Coupling Link. 6.3 Chemical Requirements:
4.2.16 Class OTH—Specialty components may be required 6.3.1 The alloy steel used shall contain at least two of the
for certain applications. three alloying agents in the minimum percentages as listed
4.3 For the classes listed in 4.2, an “S” prefix denotes a below:
component with a swivel joint. Nickel 0.40 % minimum
Chromium 0.40 % minimum
Molybdenum 0.15 % minimum
5. Ordering Information
5.1 It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify 6.3.2 The phosphorous and sulfur content of the steel shall
all requirements that are necessary for material ordered under not exceed 0.025 % for each element.
this specification. Such requirements to be considered include, 6.3.3 Product Analysis—The steel used may be analyzed by
but are not limited to, the following: the purchaser and shall conform to the requirements of 6.3.1
5.1.1 Product to conform to Specification A 952 or Speci- and 6.3.2 subject to the product analysis tolerances specified in
fication A 952M and year of issue. Specification A 29/A 29M. Test samples may be taken from
5.1.2 Nominal size of component, in. [mm] (see Note 1). rods, bars, or finished product.
5.1.3 Grade of component. 6.3.4 Chemical analysis of material covered by this speci-
5.1.4 Class of component. fication for referee purposes shall be in accordance with Test
5.1.5 Quantity of components. Methods, Practices, and Terminology A 751.
5.1.6 Finish, if required. 7. Manufacture
5.1.7 Certification, if required.
7.1 The body of all components shall be forged hot in one
5.1.8 Acceptance of inspection by purchaser, if required.
piece, with the exception of Class ML, MCL and CL link
5.1.9 Supplementary requirements, if required.
components.
NOTE 1—Component size and working load limits are based on Grade 7.2 Excess metal flash shall be cleanly removed, leaving the
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 A 952/A 952M
surface free from sharp edges. TABLE 2 Mechanical Requirements for Grade 100 Single Branch
7.3 Class ML, MCL, and CL link components may be Components
manufactured using the electric welding, gas welding, or Nominal Size Working Load Proof Text, min Breaking Force,
Limit, max min
forging process.
7.4 Ancillary components such as load pins, latches, bear- in. mm lb kg lb kN lb kN

ings, and springs need not be forged components. ⁄

7 32 5.5 2700 1220 5400 23.8 10 800 46.7
14 ⁄ 6.0 3200 1400 6400 28.3 12 800 56.6
7.5 Welding shall not be used to repair forged components. ⁄
9 32 7.0 4300 1950 8600 38.5 17 200 77
Grinding of surface discontinuities may be carefully performed ⁄
5 16 8.0 5700 2600 11 400 51 22 800 102
as long as no dimension is altered outside of the manufacturer’s ⁄
38 10.0 8800 4000 17 600 79 35 200 158
⁄
12 13.0 15 000 6800 30 000 134 60 000 268
dimensions and tolerances for that component. All ground 5⁄8 16.0 22 600 10 300 45 200 201 90 400 402
areas must blend in smoothly with the surface. 3⁄4 20.0 35 300 16 000 70 600 315 141 200 630
7⁄8 22.0 42 700 19 400 85 400 381 170 800 762
7.6 Heat Treatment—After forging or welding is completed,
1 26.0 59 700 27 100 119 400 531 238 800 1062
each load bearing component shall be heat treated before 11⁄4 32.0 90 400 41 000 180 800 805 361 600 1610
applying the proof test. Heat treatment shall include quenching
and tempering as defined in Definitions E 44. The tempering
temperature shall be at least 750°F [400°C]. The tempering 8.2 Design Verification Requirements:
conditions shall be at least as effective as a temperature of 8.2.1 The purpose of the verification tests is to prove the
750°F [400°C] maintained for a period of 1 h. Class ML, MCL design, material, heat treatment, and method of manufacture of
and CL link components, load pins, and bearing components each size of component. Any change of design, material, heat
are exempted from this minimum tempering requirement. treatment, method of manufacture or in any dimension outside
7.7 After heat treatment, furnace scale shall be removed normal manufacturing tolerances shall require that verification
from the component. be performed on the modified components.
8.2.2 The tests specified in 8.3 shall be performed on at least
8. Performance Requirements three samples of each size of component of each design,
8.1 Proof Test—All components shall be proof tested as material, heat treatment, and method of manufacture. During
required per 8.1.1 through 8.1.4. All tests shall be performed on testing, the force shall be applied to the component axially
equipment certifiable to Practices E 4. without shock.
8.1.1 All components used on single branches of slings shall 8.3 Design Verification Tests:
be tested to at least the proof test load prescribed in Table 1 for 8.3.1 Deformation Test—Three samples shall be tested and
Grade 80 components and Table 2 for Grade 100 components. each shall withstand the proof test load as prescribed in 8.1. No
8.1.2 All components to which two branches of a sling are dimension shall be altered after the proof test by more than 1 %
attached shall be proof tested to at least a load equal to four of the initial dimension.
times the working load limit of the relevant size single leg 8.3.2 Breaking Force Test:
component shown in Table 1 for Grade 80 components and 8.3.2.1 For single branch components, three samples shall
Table 2 for Grade 100 components. be tested and be capable of withstanding the relevant minimum
8.1.3 All components to which three or four branches of a breaking force as prescribed in Table 1 for Grade 80 compo-
sling are attached shall be proof tested to at least a load equal nents and Table 2 for Grade 100 components.
to six times the working load limit of the relevant size single 8.3.2.2 For components to which two sling branches will be
branch component shown in Table 1 for Grade 80 components attached, the minimum breaking force is twice the minimum
and Table 2 for Grade 100 components. breaking force shown in Table 1 for Grade 80 components and
8.1.4 All components shall withstand the proof test load Table 2 for Grade 100 components.
without loss of integrity or detrimental dimensional changes as 8.3.2.3 For components to which three or four sling
defined in 8.3.1. Components that do not withstand the proof branches will be attached, the minimum breaking force is three
test shall be discarded. times the minimum breaking force shown in Table 1 for Grade

TABLE 1 Mechanical Requirements for Grade 80 Single Branch Components

Nominal Size Working Load Limit, Proof TestA, min Minimum Breaking
max ForceA
in. mm lb kg lb kN lb kN
⁄
7 32 5.5 2100 970 4200 19.0 8400 38.0
1⁄4 6.0 2450 1120 4900 22.0 9800 44.0
9⁄32 7.0 3500 1570 7000 30.8 14 000 61.6
5⁄16 8.0 4500 2000 9000 40.3 18 000 80.6
3⁄8 10.0 7100 3200 14 200 63.0 28 400 126.0
1⁄2 13.0 12 000 5400 24 000 107.0 48 000 214.0
5⁄8 16.0 18 100 8200 36 200 161.0 72 400 322.0
3⁄4 20.0 28 300 12 800 56 600 252.0 113 200 504.0
7⁄8 22.0 34 200 15 500 68 400 305.0 136 800 610.0
1 26.0 47 700 21 600 95 400 425.0 190 800 850.0
11⁄4 32.0 72 300 32 800 144 600 644.0 289 200 1288.0
A
The proof test and minimum breaking force loads shall not be used as criteria for service (see Section 3).

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 A 952/A 952M
80 components and Table 2 for Grade 100 components. 12.2 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s inspector
8.3.2.4 The component shall show evidence of ductility all reasonable facilities necessary to verify that the component
prior to failure. Ductility is defined as the altering of a produced is being furnished in accordance with this specifica-
dimension by more than 15 % from its original condition. Class tion. Inspection by the purchaser shall not interfere unneces-
CLM components are exempted from this minimum ductility sarily with the manufacturer’s operations. All tests and inspec-
requirement. tion shall be made at the place of manufacture, unless
NOTE 2—It is not necessary to test the component to its actual breaking
otherwise agreed upon.
force as long as the minimum breaking force loads and deformation 12.3 The purchaser may perform the tests to govern accep-
requirements are obtained. tance or rejection of the component at their own laboratory or
NOTE 3—The breaking force tests may be conducted on the samples elsewhere. Tests and acceptance criteria shall conform to the
used for the deformation tests. requirements contained in this specification unless otherwise
8.3.3 Fatigue Test: stated in the purchase order. Tests at the purchaser’s laboratory
8.3.3.1 Three samples shall be tested and each shall be or elsewhere shall be made at the expense of the purchaser.
capable of withstanding at least 20 000 cycles of the force
range without failure. 13. Rejection and Rehearing
8.3.3.2 The alternating force applied during each cycle shall 13.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of
be at least equivalent to 1.5 times the working load limit this specification may be rejected. Rejection shall be reported
specified in Table 1 for Grade 80 and Table 2 for Grade 100 for to the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. In case of
that size component. The minimum force in each cycle shall be dissatisfaction with the results of any test, the producer or
positive. supplier may make claim for a rehearing.
8.3.3.3 The frequency of force applications shall not be 13.2 In the case of dissatisfaction with the results of the test
greater than 25 Hz. in 12.3, the manufacturer may make claim for a rehearing.
9. Dimensional Requirements 14. Certification
9.1 The dimensions of the components are left to the 14.1 When specified on the purchase order or contract, a
judgment of the component manufacturer provided that the certification shall be issued by the manufacturer. The certificate
dimensions are sufficient to meet the requirements set forth in shall include at least the following:
this specification. 14.1.1 Name of the manufacturer.
9.2 The dimensions of the components shall be such as to 14.1.2 Conformance to Specification A 952 or Specification
ensure sufficient articulation so that the force imposed is A 952M and year of issue.
transmitted axially. 14.1.3 Size of component, in. [mm].
10. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance 14.1.4 Grade of component.
14.1.5 Class of component.
10.1 The components, at the time of shipment, shall be free 14.1.6 Quantity and description of the component.
of discontinuities that would prevent the components from 14.1.7 Proof test force applied, lb [kN].
enduring the working load limit forces. 14.1.8 Working load limit of the component, lb [kg].
10.2 The manufacturer may apply a surface treatment or
coating of their own choice for identification or corrosion 15. Product Marking
resistance unless the customer specifies otherwise.
15.1 Forged Components—Each component shall be leg-
11. Retests ibly and indelibly marked in a manner which will not impair
11.1 If one of the verification test samples fails to meet the the mechanical properties of the component. This marking
requirements of 8.3.1, 8.3.2, or 8.3.3, two additional samples shall include at least the following:
shall be tested. If both additional tests meet or exceed the 15.1.1 Component size, in. [mm].
requirements, the component is considered in compliance with 15.1.2 Grade—The marking for Grade 80 shall be 8, 80,
this specification. If two or more of the original samples or one 800, or T, or any combination. The marking for Grade 100 shall
of the retests fail to meet the requirements of 8.3.1, 8.3.2, or be at least 10, 100, or V, or any combination.
8.3.3, the component does not comply with this specification. 15.1.3 The manufacturer’s symbol, mark, or code.
15.1.4 The traceability code.
12. Inspection
12.1 When requested on the purchase order or contract, the 16. Keywords
component shall be free of paint or other coatings which could 16.1 alloy steel—chain; chain slings; steel chain; steel
mask surface discontinuities at the time of inspection. chain—components

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 A 952/A 952M
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following Supplementary Requirements shall apply only when specified in the purchasing
contract or order.

S1. Non-Destructive Inspection the components which are subject to tensile stresses are cause
S1.1 When specified by the purchaser in the contract or for rejection.
order, components shall be inspected by magnetic particle S1.3 The percentage of components to be inspected shall be
inspection per Practice E 709, by die penetrant inspection per specified in the purchase order or contract. If no criteria is
Practice E 165, or by other means stated in the contract or specified, inspection shall be performed on 100 % of the
order. components.
S1.2 The acceptance/rejection criteria shall be specified in S1.4 Rework by grinding to remove indications is permitted
the purchase order or contract. If no criteria is specified, provided the requirements of 7.5 are maintained.
indications greater than 0.08 in. [2 mm] occurring in areas of

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This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
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views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.