Did I hurt my tie down chains much?

[Capt Dan]

Just found 2 of my 5/16 grade 70 tie down chains in my fire ashes. Must of had them in the bucket when managing the fire. Don't think it was a hot fire this time and mostly just a bunch of branches.

Looked all over and had already made up two to replace them. How much damage was done?

 

[4570Man]

I wouldn't trailer with them anymore, but I would still use them for other things.

 

[Silvic]

I can't answer from a metallurgical point for any certainty. One persons hot fire is not the same as another persons hot fire. What I do know is that I would not take the chance using them as tie-down chains. Use them as drag chains for logs etc but not anything that involves safety and the lives of yourself or others.
I am certain folks will chime in and say use them, it did not hurt them. But do you really want to take the chance with your life and that of others in these days of litigation for everything?

 

[bcp]

Consider them as grade 30 chains now, and use them that way.

Bruce

 

[k0ua]

Consider them as grade 30 chains now, and use them that way.

Bruce

I would tend to agree with this assessment. I think they were "de-tempered"

lemme ask you this: you just roasted your .44magnum revolver in the fire...you replaced the grips and the mainspring... is it safe to shoot? What do you think?... "it looks fine to me.. the measurements of the cylinder chambers seem to be fine... it looks fine"

Do you want to risk the fact that the steel has changed it properties ? I would not want to. Nope.. not me...

 

[Capt Dan]

That makes sense to treat them as grade 30. I'll just be using them on property now.

Already made up new tie down chains.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would not trust them. Especially for lifting or towing.

Chris

 

[JKR]

I would leave them in the fire and get new ones.

 

[Looking4new]

They might be okay for dragging logs, but I certainly would NOT use them for tie downs any more.

 

[tbrooks26]

I would tend to agree with this assessment. I think they were "de-tempered"

lemme ask you this: you just roasted your .44magnum revolver in the fire...you replaced the grips and the mainspring... is it safe to shoot? What do you think?... "it looks fine to me.. the measurements of the cylinder chambers seem to be fine... it looks fine"

Do you want to risk the fact that the steel has changed it properties ? I would not want to. Nope.. not me...

I'd agree with the others, better safe than sorry. I have heard that as long as the metal doesn't change temperature quickly, it won't weaken it much. I have to add after my house burnt down I recovered my first rifle, a stevens/savage 12 gauge. Strapped it to a 6x6 brace and used a cord on the trigger. Fired about 6 rounds through it, but I still won't hold it and fire it. Cleaned it up and made my own stock and grip, so now she's a wall hanger.