A346 Master Link Assembly Grade 80: Precision, Strength, and Safety in Every Lift

When it comes to overhead lifting and heavy-duty rigging, reliability isn’t optional—it’s essential. The A346 Master Link Assembly Grade 80 is a high-performance, engineered solution designed to serve as the central hub in multi-leg lifting systems, offering unmatched strength, durability, and compliance for the most demanding industrial applications.

What Is the A346 Master Link Assembly Grade 80?

The A346 Master Link Assembly is a certified, pre-assembled rigging component built to meet the stringent requirements of Grade 80 (G80) lifting standards and referenced under specifications such as ASTM A342/A342M (with “A346” denoting a specific dimensional or configuration standard for master link assemblies). Unlike basic links, this assembly integrates a forged Grade 80 master link with high-strength pins, nuts, and locking mechanisms—delivered as a complete, ready-to-use unit.

Key characteristics include:

• Forged Alloy Steel Construction: Heat-treated for superior toughness and fatigue resistance.
• Grade 80 Certification: With a minimum tensile strength of 800 N/mm² (116,000 psi) and a 4:1 safety factor—making it approved for overhead lifting.
• Pre-Assembled Design: Ensures all components are matched, rated, and tested as a single system.
• Clear Markings: Permanently stamped with grade, Working Load Limit (WLL), manufacturer ID, and traceability code for safety and compliance.

How Is It Used?

The A346 Master Link Assembly is primarily used at the top connection point of multi-leg chain slings—where two, three, or four chains converge before attaching to a crane hook, hoist, or lifting device. Its robust design makes it ideal for:

• Steel fabrication and construction (lifting beams, columns, and heavy modules).
• Oil & gas and petrochemical plants, where safety and traceability are critical.
• Mining and heavy equipment manufacturing, for handling massive loads.
• Transport and logistics, when integrated into certified securement systems for oversized cargo.

The assembly allows chains to pivot freely, ensuring balanced load distribution and reducing stress on individual sling legs—key to preventing slippage, deformation, or failure.

Why Choose a Certified Grade 80 Assembly Like A346?

✅ System Integrity: All parts are engineered to work together—no risk of mismatched grades or improper hardware.
✅ Time Efficiency: Ready to install—no need to source pins, nuts, or links separately.
✅ Regulatory Compliance: Meets OSHA, ASME B30.9, and DOT standards for lifting hardware in the U.S. and globally.
✅ Enhanced Safety: Reduces human error during rigging setup, especially in high-risk environments.

Safety & Maintenance Best Practices

• 🔍 Inspect before every use: Check for cracks, bending, corrosion, or loose pins.
• ⚠️ Never exceed the WLL marked on the assembly.
• 🔧 Ensure all fasteners are tight and undamaged—replace the entire assembly if any component is compromised.
• 🚫 Do not use with Grade 70 or non-G80 chains—this voids certification and risks failure.
• 🔄 Retire immediately after exposure to shock loads, extreme heat, or chemical corrosion.