Designation: F 541 – 97

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Specification for

Alloy Steel Eyebolts1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 541; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope * F 1470 Guide for Fastener Sampling for Specified Mechani-

1.1 This specification covers forged, quenched and tem- cal Properties and Performance Inspection3
pered, alloy steel threaded eyebolts with improved toughness 2.2 ANSI Standards:
properties and intended primarily for low temperature applica- B 1.1 Unified Screw Threads7
tions. The eyebolts are chemically and metallurgically consti- B 18.15 Forged Eyebolts7
tuted to produce a low transition temperature to minimize 3. Ordering Information
brittle failure. Maximum thread size is 2.500 in. (63.50 mm).
1.2 The eyebolts are furnished in two types, as follows: 3.1 Orders for eyebolts under this specification shall include
1.2.1 Type 1—Straight Shank Eyebolt. the following information to adequately describe the part:
1.2.2 Type 2—Shoulder Eyebolt. 3.1.1 ASTM specification number and date of issue,
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.1.2 Name of part (alloy steel eyebolts),
as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information 3.1.3 Regular or shoulder pattern (8.1),
only. 3.1.4 Size (nominal diameter and threads),
3.1.5 Number of pieces,
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.6 Certification or test reports (if required) (13.1),
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.1.7 Additional requirements (if required), and
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing 3.1.8 Supplementary requirements (if required).
of Steel Products2 4. Materials and Manufacture
A 574 Specification for Alloy Steel Socket-Head Cap
Screws3 4.1 Melting Process—The steel shall be made to a fine-grain
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for practice using a melting process yielding a product conforming
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products2 to the requirements of this specification.
D 3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging4 4.2 Forging—Eyebolts shall be forged without welds.
E 10 Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materi- 4.3 Heat Treatment—The eyebolts shall be quenched and
als5 tempered in accordance with proper practice to yield a product
E 18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness and Rockwell conforming to the requirements of this specification.
Superficial Hardness of Metallic Materials5 4.4 Machining—The eyebolt shall be machined prior to or
E 112 Test Methods for Determining the Average Grain after heat treatment at the manufacturer’s option.
Size5 5. Chemical Composition
E 340 Test Method for Macroetching Metals and Alloys5
E 709 Guide for Magnetic Particle Examination6 5.1 Limits—The eyebolts shall be manufactured from steels
F 606 Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical Prop- having a heat analysis conforming to the requirements in Table
erties of Externally and Internally Threaded Fasteners, 1.
Washers, and Rivets3 5.2 Product Analysis:
5.2.1 The purchaser reserves the right to conduct product
analyses on the finished eyebolts or request the manufacturer to
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-16 on conduct product analyses tests. The composition thus deter-
Fasteners and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F16.02 on Steel Bolts, mined shall conform to the requirements specified in Table 1
Nuts, Rivets, and Washers.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1997. Published May 1998. Originally subject to the product analysis tolerances.
published as F 541 – 77. Last previous edition F 541 – 90. 5.2.2 Chemical analyses shall be performed in accordance
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03. with Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology A 751.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.08.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
5 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street,
6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03. 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

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 F 541
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements, % microhardness traverse method of Specification A 574 shall be
Heat Analysis Permissible employed. The depth of decarburization shall be denoted by
Variation on that radial depth where the hardness decrease is more than the
Product
Analysis, Over equivalent of 3 points HRA, when compared to the average
or Under microhardness of undecarburized locations beyond this site.
Carbon, max 0.33 0.02 over The average microhardness of undecarburized locations of the
Manganese 0.30 to 1.10 0.04 eyebolt shall be determined for depths not exceeding 25 % of
Phosphorus, max 0.025 0.005 over
Sulfur, max 0.025 0.005 over its shank diameter.
Silicon 0.15 to 0.35 0.02
Chromium, maxA 0.90 0.05 over 7. Mechanical Properties
MolybdenumA 0.10 to 0.60 0.02 7.1 Hardness:
NickelA 0.40 to 3.75 0.03
A
7.1.1 Requirements—The eyebolts shall have a Brinell
The composition shall contain at least two of the elements shown.
Hardness of 197 to 248 (equivalent Rockwell B93 to 101).
Hardness tests are subject to confirmation by tensile tests.
6. Metallurgical Requirements
7.1.1.1 In case of controversy, acceptance based on tensile
6.1 Grain Size: requirements shall take precedence over low readings of
6.1.1 Requirements—The finished eyebolts shall have an hardness tests.
apparent heat-treated grain size of Test Methods E 112 No. 5 or 7.1.2 Specimens—For routine inspection, hardness tests
finer. shall be made on a properly prepared surface of the finished
6.1.2 Specimen—Grain size shall be rated on specimens eyebolt. For referee purposes tests shall be made on a trans-
taken from the eyebolt after final heat treatment. verse section through the threads one diameter from the end.
6.1.3 Test Method—Grain size on the finished eyebolt shall 7.1.3 Test Method—Hardness tests shall be made in accor-
be determined in accordance with Test Methods E 112. dance with Test Methods E 10 or E 18, as applicable.
6.2 Macroetch Test: 7.2 Tensile Strength:
6.2.1 Requirement—When ground and etched, the cross 7.2.1 Requirement—Test specimens machined from fin-
section of the eyebolt shall be free of injurious surface seams, ished eyebolts shall conform to the tensile properties specified
internal cracks, pipe, segregation, and other imperfections in Table 3.
detrimental to the intended application. 7.2.2 Specimens—Eyebolts for tensile tests shall be selected
6.2.2 Specimen—Macroetch test specimens shall consist of from the eyebolts subjected to the hardness test to represent the
the full transverse cross section of a finished eyebolt shank. high and low end of the hardness test results. The specimens
6.2.3 Test Method—Macroetch tests shall be performed in shall be machined from the finished eyebolts whenever pos-
accordance with Test Method E 340. sible. When the eyebolts are too small to remove machined
6.3 Decarburization: specimens, they shall be taken from test coupons from the
6.3.1 Requirement—The depth of decarburization (total + same heat of steel, subjected to the same reduction, and heat
partial), as measured on the eyebolts after heat treatment, shall treated with the eyebolts represented.
not exceed the requirements in Table 2. 7.2.3 Test Methods—Tension tests shall be made in accor-
6.3.2 Specimen—The test specimens shall consist of the dance with Test Methods F 606.
unmachined surface of the heat-treated eyebolts in an area 7.3 Breaking Strength:
where threads would normally be machined. 7.3.1 Requirements—The eyebolt shall conform to the
6.3.3 Test Method—The depth of decarburization shall be breaking strength specified in Table 4.
determined by metallographic etching. The edge of the speci- 7.3.2 Specimens—Eyebolts for breaking strength tests shall
men shall be suitably prepared to preserve the original surface be selected from the eyebolts subjected to the hardness test to
and the sample shall then be polished for metallographic represent the high and low end of the hardness test results. The
examination. The section shall be etched in 4 % nital and the eyebolts shal be tested full size.
samples examined under a microscope at 1003 using an 7.3.3 Test Methods—The breaking strength shall be deter-
eyepiece graduated in 0.001-in. (0.025-mm) increments. The mined by exerting an in-line pull upon the eyebolt which has
measured depth of any light etched band shall be taken as the had its threaded shank screwed into a block and secured in one
decarburization depth. jaw of the testing machine. The eye shall be loaded by a round
6.3.4 When the metallographic etch method of 6.3.3 for section no greater than 50 % of eye diameter and secured in the
decarburization renders results that are inconclusive, then the other jaw of the testing machine.
TABLE 2 Decarburization Limits TABLE 3 Tensile Requirements

Nominal Size, In. Depth of Decarburization, Total + Partial, max Tensile strength, min, psi (MPa) 95 000 (660)
Yield strength, min (0.2 % offset), 70 000 to 100 000
in. mm
psi (MPa) (485 to 690)
0.250 to 0.375 0.030 0.762 Elongation in 2 in. (50 mm), min, % 22
0.4375 to 0.625 0.040 1.02 Reduction of area, min, % 55
0.750 to 1.000 0.050 1.27 Brinell hardnessA 197 to 248
1.125 to 1.500 0.060 1.52 Rockwell B hardnessA 93 to 101
1.750 to 2.500 0.070 1.78 A
Hardness tests are subject to confirmation by tension tests.

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 F 541
TABLE 4 Breaking Strength and Proof Load

Nominal Size and Tension Breaking Strength, min Proof Load, min
Number of Threads Stress
Area, in.2 lb Mg lb Mg

0.250—20 0.0318 3 020 1.37 1 220 0.55

0.3125—18 0.0524 5 000 2.27 2 000 0.91
0.375—16 0.0775 7 400 3.35 2 960 1.34

0.4375—14 0.1063 10 100 4.60 4 040 1.84

0.500—13 0.1419 13 500 6.1 5 400 2.44
0.625—11 0.226 21 500 9.8 8 600 3.92

0.750—10 0.334 32 000 14.5 12 800 5.8

0.875—9 0.462 44 000 20.0 17 600 8.0
1.000—8 0.606 58 000 26.5 23 200 10.6

1.125—7 0.763 72 000 32.5 28 800 13.0

1.250—7 0.969 92 000 42.0 36 800 16.8
1.500—6 1.405 133 000 60.0 53 200 24.0

1.750—5 1.90 180 000 82 72 000 32.8

2.000—4.5 2.50 238 000 108 95 200 43.2
2.500—4 4.00 380 000 172 152 000 68.8

7.4 Proof of Load: 10, shall withstand bending through 45 ° at room temperature
7.4.1 Requirements—The eyebolts, when tested in accor- without visible ruptures in the threaded or unthreaded portions
dance with Section 10, shall withstand the proof load specified when examined at 103 magnification.
in Table 4. 7.6.2 Specimens—Eyebolts for bend tests shall be selected
7.4.2 Specimens—Eyebolts for proof load tests shall be from the eyebolts subjected to the hardness test to represent the
selected in accordance with 7.3.2 and may be the same high and low end of the hardness test results. The eyebolts shall
specimens used for the breaking strength tests. be tested full size.
7.4.3 Test Methods—The proof load shall be defined as the 7.6.3 Test Method—The eyebolts shall be screwed into a
load that can be applied without causing permanent deforma- steel block a minimum of one diameter to ensure bending
tion exceeding 1.5 % when measured between punch marks primarily in the threaded section. Bending shall be accom-
located across the diameter of the eye and 90 ° to the direction plished by pressure or blows.
of the pull. The fixture for testing shall be as specified in 7.3.3.
7.5 Impact: 8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
7.5.1 Requirements: 8.1 Dimensions—The dimensions of the eyebolts shall con-
7.5.1.1 Eyebolts sufficiently large to remove full-size im- form to the requirements specified in the latest issue of ANSI
pact specimens shall have a Charpy V-notch impact strength of B18.15, Type 1 Regular Pattern, or Type 2 Shoulder Pattern, as
35 ft·lbf (47.5 J) average minimum when tested at −40°C specified by the purchaser.
(−40°F). The impact value shall be taken as the average of 8.2 Threads—The eyebolts shall be threaded. Threads shall
three specimens tested with not more than one value below 35 conform to the Unified Coarse Thread Series as specified in
ft·lbf but in no case below 23 ft·lbf (31.0 J). ANSI B1.1, and shall have Class 2A tolerances.
7.5.1.2 Subsize Charpy V-notch specimens shall be obtained
from eyebolts with section sizes not suitable for full size 9. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
standard specimens. Impact strength shall be reported for 9.1 The eyebolts shall be descaled.
information only. However, the fracture surface shall show a 9.2 The eyebolts shall be of uniform quality consistent with
fine-grain fibrous structure characteristic of a shear fracture. good manufacturing and inspection practices. They shall be
7.5.2 Test Specimens—Eyebolts for impact tests shall be free of fins, cracks, seams, laps, nicks, pipe, segregation, rough
selected from the eyebolts subjected to the hardness test to surfaces, and other injurious internal or surface imperfections
represent the high and low end of the hardness test results. Test which, due to their nature, degree, or extent, would make the
specimens shall conform to the standard 10 by 10-mm Charpy eyebolts unsuitable for the intended use.
V-notch Type A specimen shown in Test Methods A 370. 9.3 Threads shall be undamaged upon the receipt of eye-
Eyebolts too small for standard impact test specimens shall be bolts by the purchaser.
tested using the largest possible subsize square specimen with
the standard 45 ° V-notch adjusted in depth to be proportional 10. Number of Tests
to the standard specimen. 10.1 General Requirements:
7.5.3 Test Method—Impact tests shall be made in accor- 10.1.1 The manufacturer shall make sample inspections of
dance with Test Methods A 370 at −40°C (−40°F). every lot of eyebolts to ensure that the properties of the
7.6 Bend: eyebolts are in conformance with the requirements of this
7.6.1 Requirements—Type 1 straight-shank eyebolts 1½ in. specification. All eyebolts shall be inspection tested prior to
diameter and smaller, when tested in accordance with Section shipment in accordance with one of the two procedures
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 F 541
described in 10.2 and 10.3. Unless otherwise specified by the represent each production lot.
purchaser, the manufacturer shall have the option of which 10.3 Shipping Lot Method:
procedure will be followed when furnishing eyebolts to any 10.3.1 In-process inspection during all manufacturing op-
single purchase order. erations and treatments and storage of manufactured eyebolts
10.1.2 The purpose of a lot inspection testing program is to shall be in accordance with the practices of the individual
ensure that each lot conforms to the requirements of the manufacturer.
specification and that delivered eyebolts are free of known 10.3.2 Before packing eyebolts for shipment, the manufac-
defects. For such a plan to be fully effective, it is essential that turer shall make tests of sample eyebolts taken at random from
following delivery the purchaser continue to maintain the each shipping lot. A shipping lot, for purposes of selecting test
identification and integrity of each lot until the product is samples, is defined as that quantity of eyebolts of the same
released for use. nominal size and same nominal length necessary to fill the
10.2 Production Lot Method: requirements of a single purchase order.
10.2.1 All eyebolts shall be processed in accordance with a 10.3.3 The manufacturer shall make tests for grain size,
production lot quality assurance plan. A production lot from hardness, tensile strength, breaking strength, proof load, im-
which test samples shall be selected shall consist of all eyebolts pact, and bend tests. Tests for macroetch and decarburization
of the same size, from the same heat, same part number, heat shall be in accordance with 10.2.3.
treated in a continuous run and tempered at one time. The 10.3.4 The number of hardness tests from each shipping lot
minimum number of tests shall be in accordance with 10.2.2 shall be in accordance with Table 5. The number of grain size,
through 10.2.8. tensile strength, breaking strength, proof load, impact, and
10.2.2 Grain Size—One grain size test shall be made from bend tests shall be in accordance with Table 6 and shall be
each production lot. selected to represent the high and low end of the hardness tests.
10.2.3 Macroetch and Decarburization—The number of
tests shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s standard 11. Retesting
quality control practices. The eyebolts shall be produced by 11.1 If the results of the hardness, tensile strength, breaking
manufacturing practices and subjected to mill tests and inspec- strength, impact, or proof load tests do not conform to the
tion procedures to ensure compliance with the specified re- requirements specified, the lot, at the option of the manufac-
quirements. Disposition of eyebolts and the lots they represent, turer, shall be reheat treated, and the lot retested using twice the
when tested by the purchaser that fail to meet the specified number of samples required for the original lot, in which case
requirements, shall be in accordance with Guide F 1470 all additional tests shall meet the requirements of the specifi-
(Disposition of Nonconformaing Lots, Purshasers Options). cation.
10.2.4 Hardness—The number of hardness tests from each 11.2 If the impact test average equals or exceeds 35 ft·lbf
production lot shall be in accordance with Table 5. (47.5 J) and more than one impact value is below 35 ft·lbf but
10.2.5 Tensile Strength—Two tension tests, one represent- not below 23 ft·lbf (31.0 J), the lot, at the option of the
ing the high and the low end of the hardness tests, shall be manufacturer, shall be reheat treated and retested in accordance
made to represent each production lot. with the original requirements, in which case all specimens
10.2.6 Breaking Strength and Proof Load—Four breaking tested shall have a value equal to or exceeding 35 ft·lbf.
strength and four proof load tests, two each representing the 11.3 If any test specimen shows defective machining, it
high and two the low end of the hardness tests, shall be made shall be discarded and another specimen substituted.
to represent each production lot.
10.2.7 Impact—Two impact tests, one representing the high 12. Inspection
and one the low end of the hardness tests, shall be made to 12.1 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s repre-
represent each production lot. sentative all reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that
10.2.8 Bend—Two bend tests, one representing the high and the eyebolts are being produced and furnished in accordance
one the low end of the hardness tests, shall be made to with this specification. Mill inspection by the purchaser’s
representative shall not interfere unnecessarily with the manu-
TABLE 5 Number of Hardness Tests facturer’s operations. All tests and inspections shall be made at
the place of manufacture, unless otherwise agreed to.
NOTE 1—Excerpt from MIL-STD-105A, Inspection Level II.
Number of Pieces Number of Number of Number of 13. Certification
in Lot Hardness Pieces in Lot Hardness Tests
Tests 13.1 When requested by the purchaser, the manufactuer
2 to 8 2 501 to 1 200 80
9 to 15 3 1 201 to 3 200 125 TABLE 6 Number of Tests for Shipping Lot Testing
16 to 25 5 3 201 to 10 000 200
26 to 50 8 10 001 to 35 000 315
Number of Pieces in Shipping Lot Number of Specimens
51 to 90 13 35 001 to 150 000 500
91 to 150 20 150 001 to 500 000 800 280 and less 2
151 to 280 32 500 000 and over 1 250 281 to 500 4
281 to 500 50 501 to 1 200 6
A 1 201 to 3 200 8
This table from this military standard is available from Standardization
3 201 to 10 000 14
Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA
10 001 and over 20
19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.

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 F 541
shall furnish one of the following as specified by the purchaser: 16. Packaging and Package Marking
(1) certification that the eyebolts were manufactured, tested, 16.1 Packaging:
and the test results conform to this specification, or (2) a test 16.1.1 Unless otherwise specified, packaging shall be in
report showing the results of the tests made to determine accordance with Practice D 3951.
compliance with this specification. The report shall include the 16.1.2 When special packaging requirements are required,
purchase order number and a lot identification number corre- they shall be defined at the time of the inquiry and order.
lating the test results with the lot represented. 16.2 Package Marking:
14. Responsibility 16.2.1 Each shipping unit shall include or be plainly marked
with the following information:
14.1 The party responsible for the fastener shall be the
16.2.1.1 ASTM designation and type,
organization that supplies the fastener to the purchaser and
16.2.1.2 Size,
certifies that the fastener was manufactured, sampled, tested
and inspected in accordance with this specification and meets 16.2.1.3 Name and brand or trademark of the manufacturer,
all of its requirements. 16.2.1.4 Number of pieces,
16.2.1.5 Purchase order number, and
15. Product Marking 16.2.1.6 Country of origin.
15.1 Each eyebolt shall have the symbol “A” (denoting
alloy steel) and the manufacturer’s name or identification mark 17. Keywords
forged in raised characters on the surface of the eyebolt. 17.1 alloy steel; eyebolts; steel

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

One or more of the following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specified by the
purchaser in the inquiry, contract, and order. Details of these supplementary requirements shall be
agreed upon by the manufacturer and the purchaser.

S1. Magnetic Particle Inspection and shall show no indications of transverse defects (cracks).
S1.1 When magnetic particle inspection is specified, the Other acceptance standards shall be as agreed upon between
eyebolts shall be inspected in accordance with Guide E 709 the purchaser and the manufacturer.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This section identifies the location of selected changes to this specification that have been incorporated since
the last issue. For the convenience of the user, Committee F-16 has highlighted those changes that may impact
the use of this specification. This section may also include descriptions of the changes or reasons for the changes,
or both.

(1) Revised the following sections to change nonmandatory (3) In Section 12, changed “purchaser’s qualtiy assurance
wording to mandatory. Sections changed: 4.4, 5.2.1, 6.3.3, representative” to “purchaser’s representative”.
6.3.4, 7.1.2, 7.2.2, 7.4.1, 10.2.3, 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3. (4) Added Keywords, Section 17.
(2) In 7.6.1, added missing “1½ in. diameter and smaller”.

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