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Selecting the right lifting slings for your facility involves more than matching a capacity number to a load weight. Material choice determines chemical and temperature compatibility. Configuration affects attachment speed and wear patterns. Standards compliance ensures safety and legal conformity.
The answer depends entirely on the sling material. Nylon slings are damaged by acids but resist alkalis, while polyester slings are damaged by alkalis but resist acids. This fundamental difference means that choosing the wrong sling for a chemically active environment can lead to hidden strength loss, sudden failure, and safety hazards.
A persistent myth in the rigging industry holds that lifting slings are merely a "cheap alternative" to wire rope—a cost-saving substitute for less demanding applications. The reality is quite different. Synthetic lifting slings offer significant safety advantages over wire rope: they protect delicate loads from surface damage, absorb shock loads without permanent deformation, and provide visible warning signs before failure. According to CERTEX Denmark, synthetic textile slings are the preferred choice for loads requiring surface protection and offer superior flexibility compared to wire rope. This guide debunks the "cheap alternative" myth and explains why synthetic slings are often the safer, more effective choice for modern lifting operations.
A lifting sling that has been stored wet may appear undamaged, but moisture can cause mildew growth, fiber degradation, and—in the case of nylon slings—temporary strength loss of up to 15% when wet, with strength restored upon drying . More critically, nylon slings can lose up to 25% of their strength when wet due to moisture absorption . Polyester slings, by contrast, are less affected by moisture but can still suffer from mildew and rot if stored damp. This guide examines the risks associated with wet slings, the specific vulnerabilities of different synthetic materials, and the inspection and drying procedures required before returning a wet sling to service.
