Why doesn’t Superchute® use chain?
For general construction rigging never use a chain when it is possible to use wire rope. The failure of a single link chain can result in a serious accident but wire rope on the other hand is frequently composed of 114 wires all of which must fail before the rope breaks.
Wire rope gives you reserve strength and a chance to notice a hazard, chains do not.
From The Rigging Manual, CSAO, 1996.
Cross section view of the 7 x 19 cable used by Superchute®
Great strength & safety results from using wire rope composed of many grouped wires. In fact, there are 133 wires total!
Chains are built from single links. Each link has to support the entire load alone. If a link fails you will likely lose the whole chute system with potentially fatal consequences.