An American National Standard

Designation: A 413/A 413M – 01

Standard Specification for

Carbon Steel Chain1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 413/A 413M; 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.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3.1.1 breaking force, minimum—the minimum force in

1.1 This specification covers carbon steel chain for such pounds or newtons at which the chain, during manufacture, has
applications as railroad cars, construction, industrial uses, load been found by testing to break when a constantly increasing
binding, and general purposes other than overhead lifting. force is applied in direct tension. This test is a manufacturer’s
attribute acceptance test and shall not be used as criteria for
NOTE 1—This specification does not cover carbon steel chain for service.
sprocket applications.
3.1.2 lot—for the purpose of acceptance testing, a lot shall
1.2 Three classes of carbon steel chain are covered: consist of 3000 ft [1000 m], or fraction thereof, of the same
1.2.1 Grade 30—Proof coil chain. grade and size chain. If a continuous length of chain exceeds
1.2.2 Grade 43—High test chain. 3000 ft [1000 m], it shall also be considered a lot.
1.2.3 Grade 70—Transport chain. 3.1.3 proof test—a quality control tensile test applied to
1.3 The values stated in either acceptable metric units or in chain for the purpose of verifying weld and material quality. It
other units shall be regarded separately as standard. The values is the minimum force in pounds or newtons which the chain
stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, has withstood at the time it left the producer, under a test in
each system must be used independently of the other, without which a constantly increasing force has been applied in direct
combining values in any way. tension to a straight length of chain. Proof test loads are a
manufacturing integrity test and shall not be used as criteria for
2. Referenced Documents service or design purposes.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.1.4 working load limit (WLL)—the maximum combined
A 29/A 29M Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, static and dynamic load in pounds or kilograms that shall be
Hot-Wrought and Cold-Finished, General Requirements applied in direct tension to an undamaged straight length of
for2 chain.
E 30 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Steel, Cast
Iron, Open-Hearth Iron and Wrought Iron3 4. Ordering Information
E 44 Definitions of Terms Relating to Heat Treatment of 4.1 It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify
Metals4 all requirements that are necessary for material ordered under
E 350 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel, this specification. Such requirements may include, but are not
Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron and limited to, the following:
Wrought Iron5 4.1.1 Product to conform to Specification A 413 or A 413M
E 415 Test Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spectro- and date of issue,
metric Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel6 4.1.2 Grade of chain,
4.1.3 Nominal size of chain (in. or mm),
3. Terminology 4.1.4 Quantity of chain (ft or m),
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 4.1.5 Length of each piece, if required,
4.1.6 Finish, if required,
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, 4.1.7 Certification of test(s), if required, and
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 4.1.8 Acceptance of inspection by purchaser, if required.
A01.27 on Steel Chain.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 2001. Published November 2001. Originally 5. Material Requirements
published as A 413–57T. Last previous edition A 413/A 413M–00.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05. 5.1 Heat Analysis—The selection of the steel is left to the
3
Discontinued. See 1995 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05. judgment of the individual chain manufacturer provided the
4
Discontinued. See 1993 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02. steel meets the following criteria:
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05.
6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 A 413/A 413M
Carbon, max, % 0.370 9.2 Breaking Force—The breaking force test specimen shall
Phosphorus, max, % 0.048 consist of a length from the lot containing at least the number
Sulfur, max, % 0.058
of links in Table 4. All chain that is heat treated shall be in the
5.2 Product Analysis—The steel used may be analyzed by quenched and tempered condition before the breaking force is
the purchaser and shall conform to the requirements of 5.1 measured.
subject to the product analysis tolerances specified in Specifi- 9.2.1 Fixtures for securing chain in a testing machine shall
cation A 29/A 29M. Test samples may be taken from rods, be properly designed to support securely the shoulder of the
bars, or finished chain. Samples for analysis shall be so taken link (see Note 2). The opening in the fixture shall not be more
as to represent the full cross section of the specimen. than 125 % of the stock diameter being tested. Links engaged
5.3 Test Methods E 30, E 350, or E 415 shall be used for in the testing fixture shall not be considered part of the test
referee purposes. specimen.
6. Manufacture NOTE 2—“U” bolts of the same or larger diameter and the same or
greater strength may be used to secure the chain to the jaws of the testing
6.1 Welding Process—Carbon steel chain may be made by machine.
the forge welding, electric welding, or gas welding process.
6.2 Heat Treatment—Grades 30 and 43 do not require heat 9.2.2 Test specimens shall meet or exceed the minimum
treatment, but may be heat treated at the manufacturer’s breaking force values given in Tables 1-3 for the appropriate
discretion. Grade 70, after welding, shall be heat treated. Heat grade and size chain.
treatment shall include quenching and tempering as described 9.3 Elongation:
in Definitions E 44. 9.3.1 All chain which is heat treated (see 6.2) must be in the
quenched and tempered condition before the elongation is
7. Dimensional Requirements measured.
7.1 The chain shall conform to the dimensional require- 9.3.2 The elongation test specimen shall consist of a length
ments specified in Tables 1-3 for the appropriate grade and size from the lot containing at least the number of links in Table 4.
chain. 9.3.3 A positive load not exceeding 10 % of the proof test
7.2 Diameter—The diameter of the material from which the shall be applied for determining the original gage length
chain is manufactured shall not be smaller than the material (L{0}).
diameter listed in Tables 1-3 within the following tolerance: 9.3.4 The elongation shall be based on the total extension at
−7 %. Oversized material may be used for all applications. fracture. This is expressed as a percentage of the change in
length (DL) divided by the original gage length (L{0}). The
8. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance elongation may be determined by the equation below or by
8.1 The chain at the time of shipment shall be free of autographic recorder or side scale.
discontinuities that would prevent the chain from enduring the Elongation ~%! 5 $DL L$0% % 3 100
working load limit forces. /
8.2 The manufacturer may apply a surface treatment or where:
coating of their own choice for identification or corrosion DL = test specimen final length at fracture – test speci-
resistance unless the customer specifies otherwise. men original gage length (L{0}), and
L{0} = original gage length (sum or the inside lengths of
9. Mechanical Requirements the test chain links, not counting the fixture links, or
9.1 Proof Test—All chain shall be tested to at least the proof as determined in 9.3.3).
load prescribed in Tables 1-3 for the appropriate grade and size 9.3.5 The elongation shall be a minimum of 15 %.
chain. When so tested it shall withstand these loads without 9.4 One test for breaking strength and elongation shall be
loss of chain integrity. Links or chain segments that do not made from each lot. The elongation and breaking force tests
withstand the proof test load shall be removed from the chain. may be performed at the same time on the same test specimen.

TABLE 1 Grade 30 Proof Coil Chain

Nominal Chain Material Working Load Proof Test,A Minimum Breaking Inside Length, Inside Width,
Size Diameter Limit, max min ForceA max min
in. mm in. mm lb kg lb kN lb kN in. mm in. mm
18 ⁄ 4.0 0.156 4.0 400 180 800 3.6 1600 7.2 0.94 23.9 0.25 6.4
⁄
3 16 5.5 0.217 5.5 800 365 1600 7.2 3200 14.4 0.98 24.8 0.30 7.7
14 ⁄ 7.0 0.276 7.0 1300 580 2600 11.6 5200 23.2 1.24 31.5 0.38 9.8
⁄
5 16 8.0 0.331 8.4 1900 860 3800 16.9 7600 33.8 1.29 32.8 0.44 11.2
38 ⁄ 10.0 0.394 10.0 2650 1200 5300 23.6 10 600 47.2 1.38 35.0 0.55 14.0
⁄
7 16 11.9 0.488 11.9 3700 1680 7400 32.9 14 800 65.8 1.64 41.6 0.65 16.6
⁄
12 13.0 0.512 13.0 4500 2030 9000 40.0 18 000 80.0 1.79 45.5 0.72 18.2
⁄
58 16.0 0.630 16.0 6900 3130 13 800 61.3 27 600 122.6 2.20 56.0 0.79 20.0
⁄
34 20.0 0.787 20.0 10 600 4800 21 200 94.3 42 400 188.6 2.76 70.0 0.98 25.0
7⁄8 22.0 0.866 22.0 12 800 5810 25 600 114.1 51 200 228.2 3.03 77.0 1.08 27.5
1 26.0 1.02 26.0 17 900 8140 35 800 159.1 71 600 318.2 3.58 90.9 1.25 31.7
A
The proof test and minimum breaking force loads shall not be used as criteria for service or design purposes (see Section 4).

2
 A 413/A 413M
TABLE 2 Grade 43 High Test Chain
Nominal Chain Material Working Load Proof Test,A Minimum Breaking Inside Length, Inside Width,
Size Diameter Limit, max min ForceA max min
in. mm in. mm lb kg lb kN lb kN in. mm in. mm
14 ⁄ 7.0 0.276 7.0 2600 1180 3900 17.3 7800 34.6 1.24 31.5 0.38 9.8
⁄
5 16 8.7 0.343 8.7 3900 1770 5850 26.0 11 700 52.0 1.29 32.8 0.44 11.2
38 ⁄ 10.0 0.406 10.3 5400 2450 8100 36.0 16 200 72.0 1.38 35.0 0.55 14.0
⁄
7 16 11.9 0.468 11.9 7200 3270 10 800 48.0 21 600 96.0 1.64 41.6 0.65 16.6
⁄
12 13.0 0.531 13.5 9200 4170 13 800 61.3 27 600 122.6 1.79 45.5 0.72 18.2
⁄
58 16.0 0.630 16.0 13 000 5910 19 500 86.5 39 000 173.0 2.20 56.0 0.79 20.0
3⁄4 20.0 0.787 20.0 20 200 9180 30 300 134.7 60 600 269.4 2.76 70.0 0.98 25.0
7⁄8 22.0 0.866 22.0 24 500 11 140 36 750 163.3 73 500 326.6 3.03 77.0 1.08 27.5
A
The proof test and minimum breaking force loads shall not be used as criteria for service or design purposes (see Section 4).

TABLE 3 Grade 70 Transport Chain

Nominal Chain Material Working Load Proof Test,A Minimum Breaking Inside Length, Inside Width,
Size Diameter Limit, max min ForceA max min
in. mm in. mm lb kg lb kN lb kN in. mm in. mm
14 ⁄ 7.0 0.281 7.0 3150 1430 6300 28.0 12 600 56.0 1.24 31.5 0.38 9.8
⁄
5 16 8.7 0.343 8.7 4700 2130 9400 41.8 18 800 83.6 1.29 32.8 0.44 11.2
38 ⁄ 10.0 0.406 10.3 6600 2990 13 200 58.7 26 400 117.4 1.38 35.0 0.55 14.0
⁄
7 16 11.9 0.468 11.9 8750 3970 17 500 77.7 35 000 155.4 1.64 41.6 0.65 16.6
⁄
12 13.0 0.531 13.5 11 300 5130 22 600 100.4 45 200 200.8 1.79 45.5 0.72 18.2
⁄
58 16.0 0.630 16.0 15 800 7170 31 600 140.4 63 200 280.8 2.20 56.0 0.79 20.0
3⁄4 20.0 0.787 20.0 24 700 11 200 49 400 219.6 98 800 439.2 2.76 70.0 0.98 25.0
A
The proof test and minimum breaking force loads shall not be used as criteria for service or design purposes (see Section 4).

TABLE 4 Mechanical Test Sample Length Requirements requirements contained in this specification unless otherwise
Size of Chain Minimum Number of Links in stated in the purchase order or contract. Tests at the purchaser’s
Test Specimen laboratory or elsewhere shall be made at the expense of the
7⁄32 in. [5.5 mm] 9 purchaser.
Larger than 7⁄32 in. [5.5 mm] but less than 3⁄4 in. 7
[20.0 mm]
3⁄4 in. [20.0 mm] and larger 3 13. Rejection and Rehearing
13.1 Materials that fail to conform to the requirements of
this specification may be rejected. Rejection shall be reported
10. Retests to the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. In case of
10.1 If the original test specimen fails to conform to the dissatisfaction with the results of any test, the producer or
requirements in 9.2.2, two additional test specimens from the supplier may make claim for a rehearing.
same lot may be tested, each of which shall conform to the 13.2 In the case of dissatisfaction with the results of any test
requirements of 9.2.2. If both additional tests are satisfactory, in 12.3, the manufacture may make claim for a rehearing.
the chain will be considered acceptable.
14. Certification and Reports
11. Rework and Retreatment 14.1 A manufacturer’s certification that the chain conforms
11.1 Materials that fail to comply to the requirements as to to Specification A 413 or A 413M of the date of issue specified
dimensions and mechanical tests may be resubmitted after shall be furnished when requested on the purchase order or
being reworked. contract.
14.2 When requested on the purchase order or contract, the
12. Inspection manufacturer shall furnish a certificate of proof test to the
12.1 When requested on the purchase order or contract, the purchaser or his representative.
chain shall be free of paint or other coatings which could mask
surface discontinuities at the time of inspection. 15. Product Marking
12.2 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s inspector 15.1 Body chain links shall not be marked with indented
all reasonable facilities necessary to verify that the material is characters.
being furnished in accordance with this specification. Inspec- 15.2 The 5⁄16 in. [8.7 mm] and 3⁄8 in. [10 mm] Grade 43 and
tion by the purchaser shall not interfere unnecessarily with the 70 chain shall be embossed at intervals no greater than 1 ft [0.3
manufacturer’s operations. All tests and inspection shall be m]. All other Grade 43 and 70 chains shall be embossed at
made at the place of manufacture, unless otherwise agreed intervals no greater than 3 ft [0.9 m].
upon. 15.3 Grade 30 chain, sized 5⁄16 in. (8.4 mm) and larger, shall
12.3 The purchaser may make the tests to govern accep- be marked at least with 3, 30, or 300.
tance or rejection of the material at their own laboratory or 15.4 Grade 43 chain shall be marked at least with 4, 43, or
elsewhere. Tests and acceptance criteria shall conform to the 430.

3
 A 413/A 413M
15.5 Grade 70 chain shall be marked at least with 7, 70, or 16. Keywords
700. 16.1 chain; steel chain

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since A 413/A 413M–00 that
may impact the use of this standard.
(1) Revised Paragraphs 3.1.1, 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4.
(2) Deleted Figs. 1 and 2.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

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
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).