Material and finish decide where a component can be used. The notes below are the general properties of each option — the grade and finish for a specific item are confirmed against your specification at quotation stage.
Materials
Carbon steel
The default material for general-purpose rigging hardware. Low- and medium-carbon grades are formed well, take a thread cleanly and are economical at volume. Carbon steel hardware is normally supplied with a protective finish, because bare carbon steel rusts.
Alloy steel, quenched and tempered
Alloy grades are heat-treated to reach higher strength than plain carbon steel, so the same rated load can be carried in a smaller section. They are used where the duty or the size of the component demands it, and they cost more.
Stainless steel
Used where corrosion resistance matters more than raw strength. The austenitic grades common in rigging are AISI 304 (often marked A2) for general use and AISI 316 (A4) for marine exposure and chloride environments. Stainless hardware carries a lower working load limit than an equivalent alloy-steel item of the same size.
Malleable iron
A cast material used for light-duty fittings such as small wire rope clips for guarding, fencing and guy lines. It is not the material for lifting terminations — forged steel is used for those.
Surface finishes
Hot-dip galvanised
The finished part is immersed in molten zinc, producing a comparatively thick coating that is metallurgically bonded to the steel. It is the usual choice for outdoor, marine and buried duty. The coating is thicker and less bright than electro-galvanising, and thread fit has to be allowed for in production.
Electro-galvanised (zinc plated)
A thinner zinc layer deposited electrolytically. It gives a bright, even finish and close thread tolerances, and suits indoor or lightly exposed duty. It does not give the service life of hot-dip galvanising in wet or marine conditions.
Self-colour / plain oiled
No metallic coating — the item is supplied as formed, often with a light oil film. Used where the buyer applies their own coating, or where a coating would interfere with welding or subsequent processing.
Powder coated or painted
An organic coating applied over prepared steel. It is chosen mainly for identification or appearance — coloured hooks and shackles are easier to sort on site — rather than as the primary corrosion protection on a load-bearing part.
Zinc-aluminium flake coating
A non-electrolytic flake coating applied by dip-spin or spray and cured. It gives uniform coverage without hydrogen embrittlement risk on high-strength parts, and is used where a controlled coating thickness and clean thread fit are both required.
Choosing a combination
| Requirement | Usual choice |
|---|---|
| Outdoor or marine exposure | Hot-dip galvanised, or AISI 316 stainless |
| Indoor or dry storage | Electro-galvanised, or self-colour |
| Thread tolerance is critical | Electro-galvanised or flake-coated rather than hot-dip |
| Smallest size for the load | Quenched and tempered alloy steel |
| Light fixing, not lifting | Malleable iron, electro-galvanised |
| Buyer applies their own finish | Self-colour |
More in the resource library
Selection guide
How to choose the pattern, size and finish
Read moreClip installation
Number, spacing, turnback and torque
Read moreApplications
Where the hardware is used
Read moreInspection & care
Pre-use checks and withdrawal criteria
Read morePacking & shipping
Cartons, pallets, marking and documents
Read moreGlossary
Rigging and lifting terminology
Read moreShackle selection
Bow vs dee, screw pin vs bolt type
Read moreWLL & safety factor
WLL, proof load and breaking load
Read moreTalk to us about your requirements
Send us the specification, quantity and destination — we will come back with a quotation.