Steel Vs. Aluminum Carabiners

Aluminum is the most common material for carabiners used in rock climbing. Aluminum is light and stiff, making it ideal for a climber's harness since extra weight can put a serious drag on a climb, especially in remote areas. A high-quality aluminum carabiner usually has a strength rating around 26 kN. Since one kilo-newton is 225 lbs, this gives aluminum carabiners a strength rating of around 5,850 lbs. Many other parts of your suspension system will likely fail before approaching forces this high.

For rescue and helicopter crews, weight isn't really a concern. In these applications, steel is often chosen for its superior strength and fire resistance. Steel carabiners are usually rated around 45 kN or 10,125 lbs, almost double that of aluminum, making them ideal for suspending heavy objects as well as people. Steel is also heat resistant up to 2,000 degrees fahrenheit, compared to aluminum's heat resistance of only 1,000 degrees. Combined with steel cables, they are safe for use in fire rescues.

When choosing between steel and aluminum, you're essentially making a trade between strength and weight. Since aluminum's strength rating is still very high compared to other climbing equipment like harnesses and rope, you'll be safe using an aluminum carabiner in almost all applications. Rescue crews who deal with more challenging environments switch to steel without worrying about the weight, since the extra strength is of primary importance.

Carabiners are safety equipment, which should be treated with care and respect. A drop of greater than five feet can compromise the strength of a steel or aluminum carabiner, limiting its safety. Don't share carabiners with others, since you cannot ensure their carabiners have not been dropped. In addition, check the locks and gates on all of your carabiners before using them as part of a suspension system, and always secure carabiners with the open side of the gate pointing down to discourage the locks from unscrewing during your climb.