Date:May 22, 2025

By: Joe , Lead Engineer at Force, Your Factory-Direct Partner for Industrial Tie Down Solutions

As a purchasing manager, we are well aware that your decision to select a lifting sling for your project is a constant consideration of safety, efficiency and cost. That's why at Force Rigging, we often hear questions like, “What's the difference between a round sling and a flat webbing sling?” Or “Which sling is best for my project?” Based on our 15 years of manufacturing expertise, we've crafted this guide to help you make an informed decision. We'll compare round and flat webbing slings and share real-life examples with practical tips to maximize safety and performance. In addition, we'll take an in-depth look at how we rigorously test our slings to ensure they meet global standards such as CE, GS, ISO 9001 and WSTDA.

Understanding Round Slings

Round slings are continuous loops of high-strength polyester fibers encased in a durable, tubular sleeve. Their circular design makes them incredibly versatile, ideal for heavy-duty lifting in industries like construction, logistics, and manufacturing.

Superior Flexibility: Conforms to irregular or cylindrical loads, reducing slippage risks.

Enhanced Load Distribution: Distributes weight evenly, minimizing stress on load points.

High Load Capacity: Supports up to 100,000 lbs (45,359 kg) in vertical configurations, with working load limits (WLL) ranging from 2,600 lbs (1,180 kg) to 90,000 lbs (40,823 kg) depending on size and hitch type.

Durability: Protective sleeve resists abrasion, UV damage, and chemicals, with a tensile strength retention of 90% after 1,000 hours of UV exposure (tested per ASTM G154).

Versatility: Available in polyester or high-tenacity nylon, with lengths from 3 ft (0.9 m) to 30 ft (9 m).

In 2024, a construction firm in Texas used our 10-ton (20,000 lbs) round slings to lift precast concrete beams for a highway bridge. The slings’ flexibility allowed them to securely grip the beams’ irregular surfaces, reducing rigging time by 20% compared to chain slings. The project manager noted, “Force Rigging’s slings handled 50 lifts daily without a single failure.”

Understanding Flat Webbing Slings

Flat webbing slings are woven polyester or nylon straps, designed as wide, flat bands. They’re perfect for lifting delicate or sharp-edged loads, offering a cost-effective solution for industries like aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy.

Surface Protection: Wide surface (1–12 inches, or 25–305 mm) prevents damage to polished or fragile loads.

Cost-Effective: Up to 30% cheaper than round slings, with prices starting at $5 per sling for 1-inch, 1-ply models.

Lightweight Design: A 6-ft, 2-inch wide sling weighs just 1.2 lbs (0.54 kg), making it easy to handle and store.

Customizable Strength: Available in 1–4 ply designs, with WLLs from 3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) to 30,000 lbs (13,608 kg).

Compliance: Meets EN 1492-1, ASME B30.9, CE, GS, and WSTDA standards for global reliability.

An aerospace manufacturer in California used our 2-inch, 2-ply flat webbing slings to lift aluminum fuselage panels. The slings’ wide surface prevented scratches, ensuring zero defects across 200 lifts. By pairing the slings with wear pads, they safely handled panels with sharp edges, saving $10,000 in potential rework costs.

How We Test Sling Strength

At Force Rigging, we don’t just claim durability—we prove it. Our slings undergo rigorous testing in our ISO 9001-certified lab in Ningbo, China:

Tensile Testing: Each sling batch is tested to 2x its WLL using a 100-ton hydraulic test machine. For example, a 5-ton round sling is pulled to 10 tons (22,046 lbs) to verify its 7:1 safety factor.

Abrasion Resistance: We simulate 1,000 lift cycles on a custom abrasion rig, ensuring the protective sleeve retains 95% integrity (per WSTDA-T-1 standards).

Field Testing: In 2023, we partnered with a logistics firm to field-test 50 round slings in a port environment. After 6 months of daily use, 98% of slings showed no visible wear, validated by third-party inspectors.

These tests align with CE, GS, ISO 9001, and WSTDA standards, giving you confidence in our slings’ performance.

Main Difference: Round Sling vs. Flat Webbing Sling

Round slings excel for heavy, irregular loads requiring flexibility, while flat webbing slings are ideal for delicate surfaces or budget-conscious projects.

When to Choose Each Sling

When to Choose a Round Sling

Heavy Loads: Perfect for lifting machinery up to 50 tons, like turbines or steel beams.

Flexibility Needs: Adapts to cylindrical loads (e.g., pipes) or irregular shapes, reducing rigging time by up to 25%.

Anchor Points: Use in spring lashing or lashing eye setups for secure load restraint during transport.

Harsh Environments: Resists chemicals and UV exposure, ideal for outdoor construction.

When to Choose a Flat Webbing Sling

Delicate Surfaces: Protects polished surfaces, like glass panels or aerospace components.

Sharp Edges: Pair with wear pads (0.25-inch thick, polyurethane-coated) for safe lifting.

Budget Constraints: Saves 20–30% compared to round slings for loads under 10 tons.

Ease of Use: Lightweight design simplifies rigging for small crews.

Practical Applications and Rigging Techniques

Using Round Slings

Load Restraint: Configure as anchor points with lashing eye setups for trucking applications. For example, a 5-ton sling secures 10,000 lbs in basket hitch mode.

Hitches: Use basket (2x WLL), choker (0.8x WLL), or vertical hitches for optimal stability.

Maximum Loads: Never exceed WLL (e.g., 5,000 lbs for a 2-inch, 5-ton sling in vertical hitch).

Using Flat Webbing Slings

Edge Protection: Add 0.25-inch wear pads for sharp loads, extending sling life by 50%.

Rigging: Avoid twisting slings, which reduces strength by up to 20%. Use basket or choker hitches for loads under 10 tons.

Why Choose Force Rigging?

As a WSTDA member since 2024 and an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer, Force Rigging delivers slings engineered for durability, compliance, and performance. Our Ningbo facility produces 10,000 slings monthly, with a 99.8% defect-free rate verified by SGS audits. We offer tailored recommendations, whether you’re lifting heavy machinery or delicate components. Our training resources and inspection guides keep your operations compliant and efficient.

Contact Joe , our Senior Rigging Engineer, at joe@forcerigging.com or +86 180 6735 5227 for personalized guidance. Visit forcerigging.com to explore our full range of lifting solutions.