The first devices resembling carbines appeared in the 17th century. They were used to fasten weapons to the shoulder strap. Devices have gained popularity simultaneously with the increasing popularity of such areas as climbing and mountaineering. Among athletes, they are one of the main details of uniforms.
Description
Carbines of industrial mountaineering are used as a connecting element. They are indispensable when connecting a rock hook with a rope and in insurance. Most often they are a spring-based latch bracket. The materials used for manufacturing depend on the purpose of the device. Steel has gained the greatest popularity in the manufacture of products for rescue operations, industrial mountaineering and other fields where durability and maximum reliability come to the fore. Amateurs and athletes often use more budget and lighter options, which are made of aluminum alloys. Titanium devices used to be almost the only option. But today they are used extremely rarely due to their fragility and low level of thermal conductivity, which contributes to damage to the ropes.
Types of carabiners for mountaineering
The main purpose of the devices is to connect insurance elements. Most often they are used during high-altitude industrial work and for climbing the peaks. Currently, various materials are used for the manufacture of products. Most often, aluminum elements and steel carabiners for climbing are found. The latter have the greatest resistance to wear and ability to withstand heavy loads. But their main drawback is the large mass. Because of this, they are rarely used in sports mountaineering. But you can not do without them on the triggers, where durability is so important. They are also common in industrial mountaineering, in which weight plays a much smaller role compared to durability and quality. A small mass is the main advantage of duralumin carbines. Compared to steel, they are less resistant to damage, but are more expensive. With frequent use of the product, they quickly break down, especially when rubbing the rope in the triggers. It is also possible the formation of small cracks when falling from any distance.
But titanium carabiners for mountaineering are now almost impossible to find, since the process of manufacturing the material has many stages, and the metal itself has a high cost. Among their advantages, it is worth noting light weight. Moreover, 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 and when it falls on snow. Immediately after use, it may deteriorate even under conditions of low height due to susceptibility to temperature changes. Plastic products belong to the category of auxiliary elements. They are designed for light loads up to 50 kg. Convenient for moving equipment.
Structural differences
Climbing carabiners are classified into two types: unmuffled and muffled. The latter can be standard, automatic and rapid connection. The first models, screwed into 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 type are unstable to vibration loads and can unwind. At the same time, rapids are made, as a rule, of steel. They are characterized by high reliability and great ability to carry loads. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting a rather complicated closing. In some cases, a wrench may be required .
Automatic devices
At the heart of automatic products is the bayonet mechanism. Their operation requires extreme caution. After all, if a rope or rope passes casually through the clutch, they can open. Such climbing carabiners are preferably used in places with continuous loading, excluding accidental disclosure. Automatic triactic products are more secure. Since for opening it is necessary to lower the coupling first, turn it, and only then the carabiner can be opened. They are used in industrial mountaineering to provide greater reliability. Operation is possible in any conditions. But it is worth noting that pollution in the form of sand and dust can lead to jamming.
Features of use
It is strictly forbidden to transfer the load to the coupling. Climbing carabiners must be on a flat surface or in limbo. Their location on the edge of a structure or rock will cause damage. Devices without a coupling are used only as auxiliary elements. At the same time, an open carbine is capable of carrying a load that will be several times less than the installed one.