What Is DIN 5686 Chain? A Guide to Double Loop Chains Without Quality Requirements

When sourcing chains, not every application requires high strength or certified lifting capacity. Some jobs only need a lightweight, economical chain for hanging, securing, or decorating. That's where DIN 5686 comes in — a German standard for double loop chains that are explicitly not designed for lifting.

What Is DIN 5686?

DIN 5686 is a German standard that covers double loop chains without quality requirements (in German: Rundstahlketten ohne Güteanforderungen). Unlike welded lifting chains, these chains are formed by bending steel wire into interlocking double loops — a "knotted" structure that requires no welding.

The key phrase in the standard is "without quality requirements." This means:

No heat treatment is required

No minimum breaking force is guaranteed

No proof load test is performed

The chain is not rated for any safe working load (WLL)

DIN 5686 chains are produced from low-carbon steel wire, typically with an electro-galvanized (zinc-plated) finish for basic corrosion resistance. Common wire diameters range from 1mm to 5.5mm.

What Is It Used For?

DIN 5686 chains are designed for non-load-bearing applications where the chain serves a securing, hanging, or decorative function. Typical uses include:

Retail display: Hanging signage, poster frames, and ceiling decorations in shops

General securing: Tying down lightweight items, fixing fences, bundling materials

Safety barriers: Temporary area cordoning in warehouses or event spaces

Part retention: Preventing loss of pins, caps, or small components with chain tethers

Decorative purposes: Lightweight chain accents in furniture, lighting, or home décor

Agricultural use: Non-structural connections where a flexible link is needed

Critical Safety Warning: Never Use for Lifting

This is the most important distinction to understand about DIN 5686:

DIN 5686 chains must never be used for overhead lifting, load bearing, or personnel protection.

They are not suitable for use with:

Hoists, cranes, or winches

Sling assemblies or lifting gear

Any application governed by DIN 15003 (lifting accessories) or DIN 685 (tested chain)

Dynamic loading or swinging loads

The double loop structure can deform under unexpected loads, and without certified breaking strength, there is no safety margin to rely on.

For reference only, typical maximum static loads for common sizes range from approximately 32 kg to 180 kg — but these are not rated working load limits and should never be relied upon for safety.

DIN 5686 vs. Lifting Chains: Key Differences

Feature	DIN 5686	Lifting Chain (e.g., G80)
Standard	Without quality requirements	Strict quality and testing requirements
Construction	Double loop (knotted, no weld)	Welded links
Material	Low-carbon steel	Alloy steel, heat-treated
Strength grade	None	G30, G43, G80, G100, etc.
Safe working load (WLL)	Not rated	Clearly specified
Testing	Not required	Proof load tested per batch
Intended use	Hanging, securing, decoration	Lifting, hoisting, rigging

Which Chain Do You Need?

If your application involves any of the following, you need a rated lifting chain (such as G43, G70, or G80), not DIN 5686:

Lifting or hoisting loads

Overhead suspension

Towing or pulling

Fall protection or personnel safety

Marine mooring or anchoring

If you are simply hanging a shop sign, securing a gate, or adding a decorative chain detail, DIN 5686 may be sufficient.

Boyuan Metal Supply Note

While our core business is certified lifting chains (Grade 30 through Grade 100) and stainless steel welded chains, we can also supply DIN 5686 double loop chains upon request — primarily in electro-galvanized finish, in standard diameters from 1mm to 5.5mm.

For customers unsure which chain standard fits their application, we are happy to provide technical guidance. Just let us know your working conditions and load requirements, and we will recommend the appropriate product.

Contact Boyuan Metal for a free consultation on chain selection.