What the standard actually requires — and what SCIC verifies on every lot
Clause extract from EN 818-1:1996+A1:2008 and EN 818-2:1996+A1:2008 (DIN EN 818-1:2008-12 / DIN EN 818-2:2008-12)
Rev. 1 · October 2026 Medium tolerance · Grade 8
Question 1 — Test Method
The link is pulled until it breaks — never stopped at the minimum.
Breaking force is a destructive result by definition: “maximum force which the chain withstands during the course of a static tensile test to destruction”.
The force/extension diagram is recorded throughout, and total ultimate elongation is read at fracture — so the test cannot terminate at a target load.
Pass requires the recorded peak ≥ Table 5 minimumand elongation ≥ 20 %. A failing sample is re-tested on two further samples.
A controlled force rate: 10 N/mm²/s, evenly applied.
“The rate of loading shall be evenly applied (e.g. at a rate of 10 N/mm²/s).” The reference is stress on the nominal link section — not crosshead travel.
No mm/min value exists in EN 818-1 or -2, by design: the mm/min equivalent depends on each machine’s stiffness and jaw seating, so it must be established by a calibration run.
Practical cross-check: at 10 N/mm²/s the minimum breaking force is reached in ≈ 80 s for every size from 4 to 45 mm — much faster means the rate is too high.
EN 818-1 §6.5.3 · Annex A (machine, class 1)EN 818-2 §6.3.1
Table 5 extract — forces and the equivalent machine setting
d (mm)
WLL (t)
MPF (kN)
BF min (kN)
Load rate (kN/min)
Elong. A (min %)
6
1.12
28.3
45.2
33.9
20
8
2
50.3
80.4
60.3
20
10
3.15
78.5
126
94.2
20
13
5.3
133
212
159
20
16
8
201
322
241
20
18
10
254
407
305
20
20
12.5
314
503
377
20
22
15
380
608
456
20
26
21.2
531
849
637
20
32
31.5
804
1290
965
20
36
40
1020
1630
1222
20
45
63
1590
2540
1909
20
Load rate = 10 N/mm²/s × nominal link area (2 × πd²/4), converted to kN/min for machine setting. Highlighted row: d13 — 212 kN minimum reached in ≈ 80 s at 159 kN/min.
SCIC quality control & assurance — applied to every lifting chain we supply
Sampling: 200 m lots · 3 / 2 / 1 destructive samples by size EN 818-1 Table 2 · EN 818-2 §6.2
1Steel & heat traceability
Cast and check analysis verified against EN 818-2 Table 4 — S ≤ 0.025 / 0.030 %, P ≤ 0.025 / 0.030 %. Heat number retained through to the finished lot.
2Heat treatment verified
Full hardening from above AC3, tempered ≥ 400 °C (≥ 1 h equivalent). Effectiveness confirmed by the re-heat test — samples re-heated 1 h at 400 °C must still pass BF and bend.
3100 % proof loading
Every metre proof-loaded to Table 5 MPF, then inspected link by link under proper lighting; faulty links cut out and replaced. Proof force re-applied after acid cleaning or plating.
4Destructive testing per lot
Samples drawn at random per 200 m lot and pulled to fracture at 10 N/mm²/s on a class-1 machine. Peak force and elongation recorded on the force/extension diagram and retained.
5Bend & dimensional checks
Single-link bend test to Table 5 minimum deflection, then examined for cracks and defects. Material diameter measured clear of the weld and away from flattening; pitch within tolerance.
6Marking & documentation
Grade “8” and manufacturer mark at every 20th link or 1 m. Inspection certificate to EN 10204 type 3.1 as standard, type 3.2 on request; records traceable to lot and heat.
About us
Cepex is the brand for the fluid handling market belonging to the Fluidra group. One of the leading european manufacturer of valves and fittings in thermoplastic materials.
Dedicated to the swimming pool, irrigation and industrial markets, we distribute our products worldwide with the Fluidra commercial network and presence in 46 countries with 136 sales branches.
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