Carabiners for mountaineering: types and structural differences

The first devices, resembling carbines, appeared in the 17th century. They were used to secure the arms to the shoulder strap. The devices have acquired a prevalence simultaneously with the increasing popularity of such areas as rock climbing and mountaineering. Among the athletes, they are one of the basic details of uniforms.

Description

Carabiners of industrial mountaineering are used as a connecting element. They are indispensable when combining a rock hook with a rope and in insurance. Most often a clamp with a latch based on the spring. Materials used for manufacturing depend on the purpose of the device. Steel has acquired the greatest popularity in the manufacture of products for rescue operations, industrial mountaineering and other areas where durability and maximum reliability come to the fore. Lovers and athletes often use more budgetary and light options, which are made of aluminum alloys. Titanium devices used to be almost the only option. But today they are used extremely rarely because of their fragility and low level of thermal conductivity, which contributes to damage to ropes.

Types of carbines for mountaineering

The main purpose of devices is to combine the elements of insurance. Most often they are used during high-altitude industrial work and for climbing the peaks. Currently, various materials for the manufacture of products are used. Most often there are aluminum elements and steel carbines for mountaineering. The latter have the greatest resistance to wear and the ability to withstand heavy loads. But their biggest drawback is a large mass. Because of this, they are rarely used in sport mountaineering. But without them you can not do with triggers, where wear resistance is so important. They are also common in industrial alpinism, in which weight plays a much smaller role compared to longevity and quality. A small mass is the main advantage of carabiners from the duralumin. Compared with steel, they are less resistant to damage, but are more expensive. With frequent use of products quickly break down, especially when rubbing the ropes in the triggers. It is also possible to form small cracks when falling from any distance.

But titanium carbines for mountaineering are almost impossible to find now, as the process of producing the material has many stages, and the metal itself is of high cost. Among their merits is worth noting light weight. In this case, the thermal conductivity of such products is much lower compared to carbines based on other materials. This metal causes local heating during operation on the trigger device and when falling on the snow. Immediately after use, it can collapse even under the condition of low height due to susceptibility to temperature changes. Plastic products belong to the category of auxiliary elements. They are designed for a small load of up to 50 kg. Convenient for moving equipment.

Structural differences

The carabiners for mountaineering are classified into two types: non-smoothed and muffled. The latter can be standard, automatic and with a rapid connection. The first models, twisting into the couplings, provide easy operation. Also, some products are equipped with a bright risk to control the closure of the structure. But it is worth noting that couplings of this kind are unstable to vibrational loads and can be untwisted. At the same time rapid speeds are made, as a rule, from steel. They are characterized by high reliability and great ability to transfer loads. Among the shortcomings, it should be noted a rather complicated closure. In some cases, a wrench may be required .

Automatic devices

The automatic products are based on the bayonet mechanism. Their operation requires extreme caution. After all, if a rope or rope passes through the clutch, they can open. Such carabiners for mountaineering are desirable to be used in places with continuous load, which excludes accidental opening. Automatic triac products are more secure. Since for opening it is necessary first to lower the coupling, to turn, and only then the carbine can be opened. They are used in industrial alpinism to ensure greater reliability. Operation is possible in all conditions. But it is worth noting that pollution in the form of sand and dust can lead to wedging.

Features of use

It is strictly forbidden to transfer the load to the coupling. Carabiners for mountaineering should be on a flat surface or in a suspended state. Their location on the edge of the structure or the rock will lead to damage. Devices without a coupling are used only as auxiliary elements. At the same time, the open carbine is capable of carrying a load that will be several times less than the established load.