A chain block looks identical from ten paces, yet the lift chain hiding inside can be plain carbon steel, zinc-nickel coated alloy, or full stainless. Each alloy fights a different enemy—dry dust, salt spray, acid wash—so the smartest buy starts with site facts, not catalog photos. This guide compares three proven chain materials inside Grade 80 hand hoists and shows where each hoist thrives or fails.

1 Plain Carbon G80—Works Hard Indoors, Rusts Outside

Manufacturers forge 20Mn2 links, flashweld, then quench and temper. The 38–42 HRC skin hits 800 MPa tensile so the hoist carries full EN 13157 ratings. A thin black oxide or phosphate film delays rust only weeks once rain starts.

Best fit: Dry warehouses, fab shops, erection sites with monthly paint touchups.
Watch-outs: Coastal rigs, wash-down plants, fertilizer mills.

2 ZincNickel G80—Bridges Budget and Salt Fog

Plants that cannot afford stainless but hate repainting switch to zinc-nickel coated chain. The 12 µm finish holds 12–15 % nickel, so salt-spray life climbs from 120 h to 720 h, and lube intervals double. Strength stays equal to carbon G80 because bake heat never crosses temper point.

Best fit: Shipyards, galvanizing lines, outdoor lay-down yards in temperate zones.
Watch-outs: Strong acids below pH 2, chlorinated pools, pure food lines that bar metallic coatings.

3 Stainless 304/316 G80—Rust Proof, Food Safe, Pricey

Cold-drawn AISI 304 or 316 chain work-hardens to 800 MPa, then a root-back-purge weld locks the seam. Nickel and chromium form a passive film that heals scratches in minutes, and molybdenum in 316 blocks pitting. No paint, no lube beyond light food-grade oil.

Best fit: Food and pharma lifts, brine docks, chemical vats, offshore nacelles.
Watch-outs: Furnace halls above 400 °C, tight budgets where rust risk stays low.

4 Spec Sheet—SidebySide Numbers

*Cost index relative to carbon model, same capacity and lift.

5 Five RealWorld Matchups

6 Maintenance Loops by Material

Time log drops by half on zincnickel, by 70 % on stainless.

7 Buy Checklist—Never Miss a Spec

1. Chain stamp reads “8” + material code (SS304, SS316).

2. Hook latches self-lock; forged alloy in stainless models still uses 316 pin.

3. Hand pull under 350 N at WLL.

4. Brake twin pawl Weston, sintered pads.

5. Headroom matches beam space; stainless shells add only 10 mm.

Copy this list into every RFQ and vendors will match or fail fast.

Conclusion

Match plain carbon, zincnickel, or stainless steel lifting chain to your plant’s weather, wash, and budget, and your chain block lifting equipment will run longer, cleaner, and cheaper—contact TOPONE CHAIN today for precise quotes on every chain material and capacity.