If you were to open the PDF of SAE J1397, you would find it organized into the following core sections:
A. Classification of Steels The document categorizes steels into distinct "Strength Levels" rather than just generic names. It typically groups them by: sae j1397 pdf
B. Mechanical Properties (The "Table") This is the most referenced part of the PDF. It provides a table defining the minimum requirements for each grade of steel. The columns usually include: If you were to open the PDF of
C. Chemical Composition The standard sets limits on the chemical makeup of the steel. It dictates the maximum percentages of elements such as: under 10 km/h
Many occupational safety agencies (such as OSHA in the United States) reference SAE standards as “recognized industry practices.” If an accident occurs and you cannot produce lift capacity documentation created in accordance with a recognized standard like SAE J1397, you may face liability or fines.
The standard defines several speed classes, typically represented by specific symbols or alphanumeric codes. For example:
Each class corresponds to a maximum speed threshold (e.g., under 10 km/h, 10–25 km/h, over 25 km/h).