Re: [A/S] Digest Number 2555

[chasgould@xxxxxxx]

Twisting the links of a chain increases the lateral loads placed on the  
chain welds at each link.  It does this by adding lateral leverage to  a weld that 
is designed to take directly pulling forces. The weld is the weakest  link 
(pun intended) of each particular link, even though it may not be the  weakest 
point of the entire chain. Although properly welded metal can be  stronger at 
the weld than the actual metal itself, it is subject to lateral or  sideways 
forces.
You may recall that if you ever tried to open a link on a piece of jewelry  
to add or remove a charm from a necklace or bracelet, you would try to bend the 
 link sideways to open the link, instead of just pulling on it. Likewise, if 
you  were to wind the necklace up, you would get more sideways leverage, and 
you  could open the link easier.
Chas