National Standards for Chain Hoists

National Standards for Chain Hoists

In the lifting machinery sector, chain hoists, due to their portability and reliability, have become essential tools in industrial, construction, and logistics applications. For exporting companies, Chinese national standards are not only a "hard indicator" of product quality but also a key foundation for overcoming international technical barriers and gaining the trust of overseas markets. This article systematically analyzes the core framework of national standards related to chain hoists, analyzing technical requirements and key points in linking them to exports, providing an authoritative reference for manufacturers and buyers.

I. Overview of the National Standards System for Chain Hoists: Why Standards Are the "Passport" for Exports

As a lifting device that involves life safety, the chain hoist's standards system covers multiple dimensions, including basic general requirements, safety performance, and core components. my country has established a tiered standard system centered around GB (national standards) and JB/T (machinery industry standards), which aligns with international regulations while also aligning with domestic production and application practices.

1. Core Standard Classification and Scope of Application
Among the currently effective standards, three categories form the core basis for the production and inspection of chain hoists. They have clear divisions of labor and complement each other:

Basic Safety Specifications: GB/T 28561-2012, "Safety Standard for Lifting Machinery - Safety Specification for Chain Hoists," is a representative example. These standards define the basic structure, locking mechanism, safety performance, and other general requirements for chain hoists, serving as the "bottom line" that all types of chain hoists must meet.

General Technical Requirements: While GB/T 20991-2007, "General Technical Requirements for Cranes," covers all types of cranes, its provisions regarding material properties, manufacturing accuracy, and testing methods are mandatory for the production of chain hoists.

Special Standards for Core Components: For chains, a key load-bearing component, GB/T 20947-2007, "Short-link Chains for Lifting - Grade T High-precision Hoist Chains," is equivalent to ISO 3077:2001 and specifies chain materials, heat treatment, and mechanical properties. GB/T 30026, "Steel Short-link Chains for Lifting - Grade TH High-precision Chains for Manual Chain Hoists," specifically addresses manual hoist chains, specifying operating requirements in environments ranging from -10°C to 200°C.

Inspection and Testing Standards: GB/T 20652-2021, "Manual Hoist Inspection Specifications," details the operational procedures and criteria for finished product testing and serves as a direct basis for quality verification.

2. Legal Effect and Export Value of Standards
Although most Chinese chain hoist standards are recommended (GB/T), they have become the "default benchmark" for export inspection and supervision. According to the "Inspection and Supervision Requirements for Exported Hoist-Type Lifting Products," unless the importing country has special regulations, exported products must comply with Chinese standards or equivalent international standards. For overseas buyers, products that comply with Chinese national standards have undergone systematic safety verification, significantly reducing procurement risks.

II. Breaking Down the Technical Requirements of Core National Standards: Comprehensive Specifications from Materials to Performance

The core value of national standards lies in ensuring product safety through detailed technical requirements. The following analyzes the key compliance points for chain hoists from key dimensions.

1. Materials and Structure: Safety "Source Control

Material properties directly determine the load-bearing capacity and service life of a chain hoist, and relevant standards provide strict regulations on this:
Main Material: The outer shell must be made of high-quality alloy steel, and the hook should be forged alloy steel to ensure sufficient toughness and strength. GB/T 20947-2007 explicitly requires that chain steel be killed steel with a nickel content of no less than 0.4%, sulfur and phosphorus contents no more than 0.02%, and aluminum content of at least 0.025% to prevent brittle fracture due to aging.
Heat Treatment: All chains must undergo quenching and tempering. DAT-grade chains must undergo carburizing and quenching to achieve a high surface hardness (HV5 ≥ 500) while ensuring core toughness. TH-grade chains must maintain acceptable impact toughness even at -10°C.
Structural Design: A ratchet friction plate one-way brake must be used. The engagement depth between the pawl and ratchet and the brake clearance must meet the tolerance requirements of GB/T 28561-2012 to ensure reliable self-braking under load.

2. Key Performance Tests: Verifying "Hard-Core Indicators" for Safety

Performance testing is a core component of standard implementation. Standards such as GB/T 20652-2021 define mandatory inspection items and assessment criteria, as shown in the table below:
Test Item Test Method Acceptance Criteria Testing Tools
Braking Performance No-load/Loaded Braking Test Load slippage after braking ≤ 0.1 times the rated load Weights, dynamometer
Static Strength Test 1.25 times the rated load for 10 minutes Continuous loading No permanent deformation, normal mechanism operation Tensile testing machine
Chain Breaking Strength Test Stretching to break Breaking force ≥ standard calculated value (e.g., ≥ 126 kN for a 10 mm chain) Tensile testing machine
Bending Performance Test Single-ring specimen bent to the specified deflection No visible cracks or breaks Dedicated bending test device
Marking Clarity Inspection Visually verify nameplate information Rated load, production date, and inspection marks are complete
Data compiled from GB/T 20652-2021, GB/T 20947-2007 Standard Requirements

3. Adaptation to Special Scenarios: Extension of Standards to Sub-sectors

The standard system also includes specific specifications for special operating conditions such as explosion-proof and corrosion-resistant environments:

Explosion-proof hand chain hoists: The housing and transmission components must be manufactured from explosion-proof materials such as aluminum bronze and beryllium bronze. The rotating gears must undergo high-temperature heat treatment to enhance wear resistance. The overall system must comply with the requirements of the GB 3836 series of explosion-proof standards.

Stainless steel hand chain hoists: Parts contacting the medium must be made of 304 or 316 stainless steel, with a surface roughness of ≤ Ra1.6μm and no signs of rust after a 48-hour salt spray test (refer to GB/T 10125-2021).

III. Integration of National Standards with International Markets: A Critical Path to Export Compliance

For exporting companies, understanding the correlation between national and international standards and mastering the export inspection process are key to achieving global market access.

1. Core Differences and Convergence between Chinese and International Standards
China's national standards extensively adopted international standards during their development, laying the foundation for exports. However, different markets still have different requirements:

Standard Dimensions: China's national standards (GB/T series as an example) EU EN 13157 Standard

Convergence Features

Static load test: 1.25 times the rated load for 10 minutes

1.25 times the rated load for 10 minutes

Requirements are identical

Braking performance: Slippage ≤ 0.1 times the rated load

Slippage ≤ 0.05 times the rated load

EU requirements are more stringent

Environmental adaptability: No specified low-temperature requirements

Stable performance from -20°C to +40°C

Additional environmental testing required

No mandatory requirements: Operating noise ≤ 85dB (A)

Export to the EU requires additional noise testing

Note: China's GB/T 20947-2007 is equivalent to ISO 3077:2001, and GB/T 30026 is equivalent to ISO 16877:2015, with core chain indicators fully aligned with international standards.

2. Export Inspection, Supervision, and Certification Practices
According to the "Inspection and Supervision Requirements for Export Hoist-Type Lifting Products," companies must complete three core processes to comply with export regulations:
Company Registration: Submit business license, quality management system documents, a list of testing equipment, and other information to ensure production and testing capabilities appropriate for export products.
Type Testing: Conducted according to the standards of the importing country or international standards. Products within the same specification range (e.g., ≤5 tons, 5-10 tons) constitute a single test unit. Manual hoists require four samples for testing.
Spot Testing: Regular exports are subject to spot testing. Batch testing is required in the event of foreign notifications or changes to key components.
For major export markets, additional certifications are required:
EU: EN 13157 certification and CE marking are required. Additional testing is required, including risk assessment and electromagnetic compatibility testing (for electronic components). North America: Complies with ASME B30.21. Some states require an OSHA-approved third-party test report.
Southeast Asia: Complies with the ASEAN Machinery Directive. Mutual recognition can be applied based on the Chinese national standard report.

IV. Practical Guide: National Standard Application Manual for Enterprises and Purchasers

1. Manufacturer Compliance Recommendations

Establish a "Standards-Process-Testing" Linkage System: Translate the safety requirements of GB/T 28561-2012 into workshop work instructions, and implement SOP controls for key processes such as chain heat treatment.

Strengthen supply chain management: Key components (such as chains and brakes) must be purchased in accordance with GB/T 20947 or GB/T 30026, and supplier certificates of conformity must be retained.

Perform regular internal calibration: Calibrate testing equipment, such as tensile testing machines, every six months to ensure test data complies with GB/T 20652-2021 requirements.

2. Key Points for Factory Inspection and Product Selection for Overseas Buyers

Verify Standard Compliance: Require suppliers to provide GB/T 20652-2021 test reports, focusing on braking performance and static load test data.

Verify Label Integrity: Authentic products should be clearly labeled with the rated load, production date, manufacturer information, and GB standard number. Explosion-proof models should also be labeled with the explosion-proof rating.

Focus on Certification Compatibility: If purchasing for the EU market, confirm that the product complies with both the GB standard and the EN 13157 standard, and provide CE certification documents.

V. Conclusion: Using Standards as a Bridge to Build a Global Trust System

National standards for chain hoists are not only a yardstick for product quality, but also a common language for communication between Chinese manufacturing and the international market. Thorough implementation of the GB/T series of standards is not only essential for meeting domestic regulatory requirements, but also crucial for overcoming technical barriers and earning the trust of overseas customers. In the future, with the further integration of GB and international standards, Chinese chain hoists will demonstrate even greater competitiveness in the global lifting equipment market.