What's the Difference Between Bl and Al Leaf Chain?
Leaf chains are a type of heavy-duty chain used in lifting, pulling, and balancing applications. They're common in machinery such as forklifts, cranes, and hoists due to their high tensile strength. However, when selecting the right chain for your application, you may encounter two main types: BL (Block Link) and AL (American Link) series. While both serve similar functions, they differ in design, strength, and standards.
The Difference Between AL and BL Leaf Chain
Feature | ||
Material | High-strength aluminum alloy | High-grade Steel |
Load Capacity | Lower | Higher |
Strength | Lower tensile | Higher tensile |
Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
Construction | Link plates that are similar in size and thickness to ANSI standard roller chains | Thicker and larger link plates |
Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Requires additional protection |
Cost | More Expensive | More cost-effective |
Leaf Chain Application
AL chains, with their lighter construction, are often employed in more moderate tasks, like light-duty lifting or smaller-scale industrial machinery.
Due to their higher strength and load-bearing capacity, BL chains are commonly used in heavy-duty machinery such as forklifts, telescopic booms, and material handling equipment. They can also be paired with smaller pulleys, which allows for more compact designs in industrial equipment.

Leaf Chain Selection
Whether you need BL Leaf Chains or AL Leaf Chains, we can provide them all. As a professional leaf chain manufacturer, we supply leaf chains with high-quality and favorable prices.
If you have any questions, please Contact us, we are happy to help you.