Lifting eye bolt | A4 | DIN 580 | CE-marked
An acid-proof stainless steel A4 (AISI 316) lifting eye, also known as an eye bolt, is designed for lifting, suspension, and anchoring in damp, marine, and chemically demanding environments. The product is forged, CE-marked, and manufactured according to DIN 580, and is used where a secure lifting or attachment point with an external metric thread is required. It is suitable for professional installations where long service life and consistent performance are essential.
The CE marking signifies that the manufacturer certifies that the lifting eye meets EU requirements for lifting accessories under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. This means, among other things, that the product is designed and tested for a specified maximum working load (WLL), is marked with dimension, material, and manufacturer for traceability, and is supplied with an EU Declaration of Conformity as well as instructions for use.
The lifting eye is screwed into a threaded hole in machines, tools, molds, containers, or structures and provides a fixed point for shackles, hooks, chains, or wires. Read more about the difference between forged and cast products.
AREA OF USE
The product is used in the marine industry, offshore, shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, construction, process industry, food industry, and chemical industry. It is intended for applications where a lifting or anchoring point is required and where the material choice provides the necessary protection against corrosion and mechanical stress. The lifting eye is available in thread sizes M6, M8, M10, M12, M16, M20, and M24.
As an equivalent with an internal thread, there is the lifting eye nut A4 according to DIN 582, which is mounted on a threaded rod or stud bolt.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Product type: Screw
- Product family: Lifting eye (eye bolt)
- Material grade: A4 (acid-proof stainless steel, AISI 316)
- Standard: DIN 580
- CE marking: Yes, lifting accessory according to Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
- Manufacturing method: Forged
- Thread dimension: Metric ISO thread, M6–M24 (external thread)
- Thread length: M6 13 mm, M8 13 mm, M10 17 mm, M12 20.5 mm, M16 27 mm, M20 30 mm, M24 36 mm
- Surface finish: Electropolished
- Environment: Marine / Outdoor / Indoor
- Unit: Piece
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What is a lifting eye according to DIN 580?
A lifting eye according to DIN 580 is an eye bolt with an external metric thread, a collar, and a round eye. DIN 580 specifies dimensions, materials, and permissible working load (WLL) for eye bolts intended for lifting. The eye is normally marked with thread size, material, and manufacturer.
What does the CE marking on a lifting eye mean?
The CE marking shows that the manufacturer certifies that the lifting eye meets the basic health and safety requirements for lifting accessories in the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. For you as a user, this means in practice:
- Specified working load (WLL): The product is dimensioned and tested with a safety margin for the working load specified for each size.
- Marking and traceability: The lifting eye is marked with, among other things, dimension, material, and manufacturer, so that it can be identified and traced.
- Documentation: There is an EU Declaration of Conformity and instructions for use, installation, and inspection.
- Approved for lifting: A CE-marked lifting eye may be used as a lifting accessory. A lifting eye without CE marking, such as the cast WS 9580, should only be used for suspension and anchoring, not for lifting.
The CE marking does not replace the requirements for correct installation and regular inspection. Lifting accessories must be inspected before use and discarded in case of damage, deformation, or worn threads. From January 20, 2027, the Machinery Directive will be replaced by the EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230.
What load can a DIN 580 lifting eye handle?
The permissible working load depends on the thread size and the direction of pull. For straight axial pull (0°), the permissible working load (WLL) is 75 kg for M6, 140 kg for M8, 230 kg for M10, 340 kg for M12, 700 kg for M16, 1,200 kg for M20, and 1,800 kg for M24. For angled pull and side loading, the permissible load decreases significantly – see the load table in the product images for values per direction of pull. Always follow the WLL specified for the relevant dimension and pull angle.
How do I install a lifting eye correctly?
Screw the lifting eye in fully so that the collar lies flat against a machined contact surface. The threaded hole must have sufficient depth and wall thickness for the entire thread length. For angled pulls, the plane of the eye should be aligned with the direction of the pull – pulling perpendicular to the plane of the eye should be avoided. Use mounting paste to reduce the risk of cold welding (galling) between stainless steel threads.
What is the difference between a DIN 580 lifting eye and a DIN 582 lifting eye nut?
The lifting eye according to DIN 580 has an external thread and is screwed into a threaded hole. The lifting eye nut according to DIN 582 has an internal thread and is mounted on a screw, stud bolt, or threaded rod. Both are used as lifting and anchoring points and have corresponding load classes per thread size.
What is the difference between a forged and a cast lifting eye?
A forged lifting eye has a denser and more homogeneous material structure than a cast one, providing higher toughness and better resistance to impact and fatigue. Forged, CE-marked lifting eyes according to DIN 580 are intended for lifting. Cast lifting eyes with the DIN 580 shape, such as our lifting eye A4 WS 9580, are used for suspension and anchoring.
What is the difference between A2 and A4?
A4 (AISI 316) contains molybdenum and has significantly better resistance to chlorides than A2 (AISI 304). A4 is called acid-proof and is recommended for saltwater, coastal environments, pools, and chemically demanding environments, while A2 is suitable for indoor and normal outdoor environments.