Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steel Bolts, Studs, and Other Externally Threaded Fasteners
Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steel Bolts, Studs, and Other Externally Threaded Fasteners
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A 354 – 04e1
F 606 Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical Prop- 4.4.2 When “hot-dip” is specified, the fasteners shall be zinc
erties of Externally and Internally Threaded Fasteners, coated by the hot-dip process in accordance with the require-
Washers, Direct Tension Indicators, and Rivets ments of Class C of Specification A 153/A 153M.
F 788/F 788M Specification for Surface Discontinuities of 4.4.3 When mechanically deposited is specified, the fasten-
Bolts, Screws, and Studs, Inch and Metric Series ers shall be zinc-coated by the mechanical-deposition process
F 1470 Guide for Fastener Sampling for Specified Mechani- in accordance with the requirements of Class 50 of Specifica-
cal Properties and Performance Inspection tion B 695.
F 1789 Terminology for F16 Mechanical Fasteners 4.4.4 When no preference is specified, the supplier may
2.2 ASME Standards:4 furnish either a hot-dip zinc coating in accordance with
B1.1 Unified Screw Threads Specification A 153/A 153M, Class C or a mechanically de-
B18.2.1 Square and Hex Bolts and Screws, Inch Series posited zinc coating in accordance with Specification B 695,
B18.24 Part Identifying Number (PIN) Code System Stan- Class 50. Threaded components (bolts and nuts) shall be coated
dard for B 18 Fastener Products by the same zinc-coating process and the supplier’s option is
limited to one process per item with no mixed processes in a
3. Ordering Information lot.
3.1 Orders for bolts and studs (including nuts and accesso-
NOTE 3—When the intended application requires that assembled ten-
ries) under this specification shall include the following:
sion exceeds 50 % of minimum bolt proof load, an anti-galling lubricant
3.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue, may be needed. Application of such a lubricant to nuts and a test of the
3.1.2 Name of product (that is, bolt or stud), lubricant efficiency are provided in Supplementary Requirement S1 of
3.1.3 Grade (that is, BC or BD), Specification A 563 and should be specified when required.
3.1.4 Quantities (number of pieces by size, including nuts), 4.5 Zinc-coated bolts and nuts shall be shipped in the same
3.1.5 Size and length, container unless specifically requested otherwise by the pur-
3.1.6 Washers—Specify quantity and size (separate from chaser.
bolts) (4.3),
3.1.7 Zinc Coating—When zinc-coated Grade BC fasteners NOTE 4—Research conducted on bolts of similar material and manu-
are required, specify the zinc-coating process required, for facture indicates that hydrogen-stress cracking or stress cracking corrosion
may occur on hot-dip galvanized Grade BD bolts.
example hot-dip, mechanically deposited, or no preference (see
4.4). 5. Chemical Composition
3.1.8 Other Finishes—Specify other protective finish, if
5.1 All fasteners shall be made from alloy steel conforming
required.
to the chemical composition requirements in accordance with
3.1.9 Specify if inspection at point of manufacture is re-
Table 1. The steel shall contain sufficient alloying elements to
quired,
qualify it as an alloy steel.
3.1.10 Specify if Certification (Section 14) is required, and
3.1.11 Specify additional testing (Section 9) or special NOTE 5—Steel is considered to be alloy, by the American Iron and Steel
requirements. Institute, when the maximum of the range given for the content of alloying
3.1.12 For establishment of a part identifying system, see elements exceeds one or more of the following limits: manganese, 1.65 %;
silicon, 0.60 %; copper, 0.60 %; or in which a definite range or a definite
ASME B18.24. minimum quantity of any of the following elements is specified or
4. Materials and Manufacture required within the limits of the recognized field of constructional alloy
steels: aluminum, chromium up to 3.99 %, cobalt, columbium, molybde-
4.1 The steel shall be made by the open-hearth, electric- num, nickel, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, or any other
furnace, or basic-oxygen process. alloying elements added to obtain a desired alloying effect.
4.2 All fasteners shall be heat-treated. At the option of the 5.2 Product analysis may be made by the purchaser from
manufacturer, heat treatment may be performed on the raw finished material representing each lot of fasteners. The chemi-
material, during the manufacturing operations, or after final cal composition thus determined shall conform to the require-
machining. Heat treatment shall consist of quenching in a ments given in Table 1. Choice of alloy steel composition
liquid medium (except Grade BD sizes 11⁄2 in. and smaller shall necessary to ensure meeting the specified mechanical require-
be quenched in oil) from above the transformation temperature ments shall be made by the manufacturer and shall be reported
and then temperating by reheating to a temperature of not less to the purchaser for information purposes only.
than 800°F (427°C) for Grade BC and for Grade BD.
4.3 When used, suitable hardened washers shall be TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
quenched and tempered (non-carburized) in accordance with
Specification F 436. Element Heat Analysis, % Product
4.4 Zinc Coatings, Hot-Dip and Mechanically Deposited: Analysis, %
4.4.1 When zinc-coated fasteners are required, the pur- Carbon:
chaser shall specify the zinc coating process, for example, For sizes through 0.30 to 0.53 0.28 to 0.55
11⁄2 in.
hot-dip, mechanically deposited, or no preference. For sizes larger than 0.35 to 0.53 0.33 to 0.55
11⁄2 in.
Phosphorus, max 0.035 0.040
4
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME Sulfur, max 0.040 0.045
International Headquarters, Three Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990.
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A 354 – 04e1
5.3 Application of heats of steel to which bismuth, sele- 14-Pitch UNS on 1 in. size as specified in ANSI B1.1 and shall
nium, tellurium, or lead has been intentionally added shall not have Class 2A tolerances.
be permitted. 7.3.3 Unless otherwise specified, bolts and studs to be used
5.4 Chemical analyses shall be performed in accordance with nuts or tapped holes that have been tapped oversize, in
with Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology A 751. accordance with Specification A 563, shall have Class 2A
threads before hot dip or mechanically deposited zinc coating.
6. Mechanical Properties After zinc coating, the maximum limit of pitch and major
6.1 Fasteners shall not exceed the maximum hardness speci- diameter may exceed the Class 2A limit by the following
fied in Table 2. Fasteners less than three diameters in length amount:
and studs less than four diameters in length shall have hardness Diameter, in. Oversize Limit, in. (mm)A
values not less than the minimum nor more than the maximum
⁄
14 0.016
hardness limits required in Table 2, as hardness is the only ⁄ , 3 ⁄8
5 16 0.017
requirement. 7⁄16 , 1⁄2 0.018
9⁄16 to 3⁄4 , incl 0.020
6.2 Fasteners 13⁄8 in. in diameter or less for Grade BC and 7⁄8 0.022
11⁄4 in. in diameter or less for Grade BD, other than those 1.0 to 11⁄4 , incl 0.024
excepted in 6.1, shall be tested full size and shall conform to 1 3⁄ 8 , 1 1⁄ 2 0.027
13⁄4 to 4.0, incl 0.050
the tensile strength and either the proof load or the yield
strength requirements in accordance with Table 3. A
These values are the same as the overtapping required for zinc-coated nuts in
6.3 Fasteners larger than 13⁄8 in. in diameter for Grade BC Specification A 563.
and fasteners larger than 11⁄4 in. in diameter for Grade BD,
8. Workmanship
other than those excepted in 6.1, shall preferably be tested full
size and when so tested, shall conform to the tensile strength 8.1 Surface discontinuity limits shall be in accordance with
and either the proof load or yield strength requirements in Specification F 788/F 788M.
accordance with Table 3. When equipment of sufficient capac-
9. Number of Tests
ity for full-size testing is not available, or when the length of
the fastener makes full-size testing impractical, machined 9.1 Testing Responsibility:
specimens shall be tested and shall conform to the require- 9.1.1 Each lot shall be tested by the manufacturer prior to
ments in accordance with Table 4. In the event that fasteners shipment in accordance with the lot identification control
are tested by both full-size and by the machined test specimen quality assurance plan in 9.2 through 9.6.
methods, the full-size test shall govern if a controversy 9.1.2 When fasteners are furnished by a source other than
between the two methods exists. the manufacturer, the responsible party as defined in 12.1 shall
6.4 For fasteners on which both hardness and tension tests be responsible for ensuring that all tests have been performed
are performed, acceptance based on tensile requirements shall and the fasteners comply with the requirements of this speci-
take precedence in the event that there is controversy over low fication.
readings of hardness tests. 9.2 Purpose of Lot Inspection—The purpose of a lot inspec-
tion program is to ensure that each lot conforms to the
7. Dimensions requirements of this specification. For such a plan to be fully
7.1 Bolts—Unless otherwise specified, the bolts shall be effective it is essential that secondary processors, distributors,
Hex Head with dimensions conforming to the latest issue of and purchasers maintain the identification and integrity of each
ASME B18.2.1. lot until the product is installed.
7.2 Studs—Studs shall have dimensions conforming to 9.3 Lot Processing—All fasteners shall be processed in
those specified by the purchaser. accordance with a lot identification-control quality assurance
7.3 Threads: plan. The manufacturer, secondary processors, and distributors
7.3.1 Unless otherwise specified, threads shall be the Uni- shall identify and maintain the integrity of each lot of fasteners
fied National Coarse Thread Series as specified in B1.1, and from raw-material selection through all processing operations
shall have Class 2 A tolerances. and treatments to final packing and shipment. Each lot shall be
7.3.2 When specified, threads shall be the Unified National assigned its own lot-identification number, each lot shall be
Fine Thread Series, 8-Pitch Thread Series for sizes over 1 in. or tested, and the inspection test reports for each lot shall be
retained.
9.4 Lot Definition—A lot is a quantity of a uniquely
TABLE 2 Hardness Requirements for Full-Size Fasteners identified fastener product of the same nominal size and length
produced consecutively at the initial operation from a single
Hardness
mill heat of material and heat treatment lot and processed at
Size, in. Grade Brinell Rockwell C one time, by the same process, in the same manner so that
Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum statistical sampling is valid. The identity of the lot is main-
⁄ to 21⁄2
14 BC 255 331 26 36 tained throughout all subsequent operations and packaging.
Over 21⁄2 BC 235 311 22 33 9.5 Number of Tests—The minimum number of tests from
1⁄4 to 21⁄2 BD 311 363 33 39
Over 21⁄2 BD 293 363 31 39 each production lot for the tests specified below shall be in
accordance with Guide F 1470.
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TABLE 3 Tensile Requirements for All Full-Size Fasteners—Inch-Pound Units
2 4 1⁄2 2.50 312 500 262 500 272 500 375 000 300 000 325 000
2 8 2.77 346 250 290 850 301 950 415 000 332 400 360 000
2 1 ⁄4 4 1⁄2 3.25 406 250 341 250 354 250 487 000 390 000 422 500
2 1 ⁄4 8 3.56 445 000 373 800 388 050 534 000 422 200 462 800
2 1 ⁄2 4 4.00 500 000 420 000 436 000 600 000 480 000 520 000
2 1 ⁄2 8 4.44 550 000 466 200 483 950 666 000 532 800 577 200
2 3 ⁄4 4 4.93 566 950 468 350 488 050 690 200 517 650 566 950
2 3 ⁄4 8 5.43 624 450 515 850 537 550 750 200 570 150 624 450
3 4 5.97 686 550 567 150 591 050 835 800 626 850 686 550
3 8 6.51 748 650 618 450 644 500 911 400 683 550 748 650
3 1 ⁄4 4 7.10 816 500 674 500 702 900 994 000 745 500 816 500
3 1 ⁄4 8 7.69 884 350 730 550 761 300 1 076 600 807 650 884 350
3 1 ⁄2 4 8.33 957 950 791 350 824 650 1 166 200 874 650 957 950
3 1 ⁄2 8 8.96 1 030 400 851 200 887 050 1 254 400 940 800 1 030 400
3 3 ⁄4 4 9.66 1 110 900 917 700 956 350 1 352 400 1 014 300 1 110 900
3 3 ⁄4 8 10.34 1 199 100 983 300 1 023 650 1 447 600 1 085 700 1 189 100
4 4 11.08 1 274 200 1 052 600 1 096 900 1 551 200 1 163 400 1 274 200
4 8 11.81 1 358 200 1 122 000 1 169 200 1 653 400 1 240 050 1 358 150
A
Stress Area, in.2= 0.7854 [D − 0.9743/ n]2 where D = nominal diameter, in., and n = threads/in.
B
Based on 125 000 psi for sizes 1⁄4 to 21⁄2 in., inclusive, and on 115 000 psi for sizes over 21⁄2 to 4 in., inclusive.
C
Based on 105 000 psi for sizes 1⁄4 to 21⁄2 in., inclusive, and on 95 000 psi for sizes over 21⁄2 to 4 in., inclusive.
D
Based on 109 000 psi for sizes 1⁄4 to 21⁄2 in., inclusive, and on 99 000 psi for sizes over 21⁄2 to 4 in., inclusive.
E
Based on 150 000 psi for sizes 1⁄4 to 21⁄2 in., inclusive, and on 140 000 psi for sizes over 21⁄2 to 4 in., inclusive.
F
Based on 120 000 psi for sizes 1⁄4 to 21⁄2 in., inclusive, and on 105 000 psi for sizes over 21⁄2 to 4 in., inclusive.
G
Based on 130 000 psi for sizes 1⁄4 to 21⁄2 in., inclusive, and on 115 000 psi for sizes over 21⁄2 to 4 in., inclusive.
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TABLE 4 Mechanical Requirements for Machined Specimens be made before shipment, and shall be conducted as not to
interfere unnecessarily with the operation of the works.
Tensile Yield Strength Elonga- Reduc-
Strength (0.2 % offset), tion in tion
Grade Size, in. min, psi min, psi 2 in. of
12. Responsibility
min, % Area, 12.1 The party responsible for the fastener shall be the
min, %
organization that supplies the fastener to the purchaser.
BC ⁄ to 21⁄2 , incl
14 125 000 109 000 16 50
BC Over 21⁄2 115 000 99 000 16 45 13. Rejection and Rehearing
BD 1⁄4 to 21⁄2 , incl 150 000 130 000 14 40
BD Over 21⁄2 140 000 115 000 14 40 13.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of
this specification may be rejected. Rejection should be reported
to the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. In case of
dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the producer or
Hardness Coating Weight/Thickness supplier may make claim for a rehearing.
Tensile Workmanship (Surface Disconti-
nuities Section 8)
Proof Load
14. Certification
14.1 When specified on the purchase order, the manufac-
9.5.1 The number of tests for dimensional and thread fit
turer or supplier, whichever is the responsible party in accor-
compliance shall be in accordance with the quality assurance
dance with Section 12, shall furnish the purchaser a test report
provisions of the referenced dimensional standards.
which includes the following:
9.6 If any test specimen shows defective machining it may
14.1.1 Product description, grade, quantity, ASTM Specifi-
be discarded and another specimen substituted.
cation Number and issue date,
14.1.2 Alloy grade (AISI, SAE, UNS, etc.), heat analysis,
10. Test Methods
and heat number, and type of quench,
10.1 Test methods shall be conducted in accordance with 14.1.3 Results of hardness, tensile, and proof load tests, as
Test Methods F 606. applicable,
10.2 Proof load, rather than yield strength determination is 14.1.4 Statement of compliance to Protective Coating
preferred and shall be the arbitration method for fasteners 11⁄4 Specification (if applicable),
in. and under in diameter. 14.1.5 Statement of compliance with the surface disconti-
10.3 Hexagon bolts shall be tested by the wedge tension nuity requirements of Specification F 788/F 788M,
method. Fracture shall be in the body or threads of the bolt 14.1.6 Statement of compliance dimensionally,
without any fracture at the junction of the head and body. 14.1.7 Report, describe, or illustrate manufacturer’s mark-
10.3.1 At the option of the manufacturer, the yield strength ings and their location,
test (Method 2, Yield Strength paragraph of Test Methods 14.1.8 Lot number, purchase order number, and date
F 606) and the wedge tension test (Wedge Tension Testing of shipped,
Full-Size Product paragraph, both from the Test Method 14.1.9 Country of origin, and
section of Test Methods F 606) may be accomplished concur- 14.1.10 Title and signature of the individual assigned certi-
rently to satisfy 10.2 and 10.3. fication responsibility by the company officers, with complete
10.4 Studs and bolts other than those in 10.3 shall be tested mailing address.
by the axial tension method. 14.2 Failure to include all the required information on the
10.4.1 At the option of the manufacturer, the yield strength test report shall be cause for rejection.
test and the axial tension test may be accomplished concur-
rently to satisfy 10.2 and 10.4. 15. Product Marking
10.5 The speed of testing determined with a free running 15.1 Manufacturers Identification—All products shall be
crosshead shall be a maximum of 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm)/min for the marked by the manufacturer with a unique identifier to identify
bolt proof load (or yield strength) determination and a maxi- the manufacturer or private label distributor, as appropriate.
mum of 1 in. (25.4 mm)/min for the tensile strength determi- 15.2 Grade Identification:
nation. 15.2.1 All Grade BC products shall be marked “BC”.
15.2.2 All Grade BD products shall be marked “BD”. In
11. Inspection addition to the “BD” marking, the product may be marked with
11.1 If the inspection described in 11.2 is required by the 6 radial lines 60° apart if manufactured from alloy steel
purchaser, it shall be specified in the inquiry and contract or conforming to the requirements of this specification.
purchase order. 15.3 Marking Location and Methods:
11.2 The inspector representing the purchaser shall have 15.3.1 Bolts shall be marked on the top of the bolt head.
free entry to all parts of the manufacturer’s works that concern 15.3.2 Where studs have both coarse and fine threads, all
the manufacture of the material ordered. The manufacturer markings shall appear on the coarse thread end or, if preferred,
shall afford the inspector all reasonable facilities to satisfy him the manufacturer’s identification shall appear on the fine thread
that the material is being furnished in accordance with this end and the grade marking on the coarse thread end.
specification. All tests and inspections required by the specifi- 15.3.3 Continuous thread studs may be marked on either
cation that are requested by the purchaser’s representative shall end.
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15.3.4 All markings may be raised or depressed at the 16.2 Package Marking:
manufacturer’s option. 16.2.1 Each shipping unit shall include or be plainly marked
15.3.5 Grade and manufacturer’s or private label distribu- with the following information:
tor’s identification shall be separate and distinct. The two 16.2.1.1 ASTM designation and grade,
identifications shall preferably be in different locations and
16.2.1.2 Size,
when on the same level shall be separated by at least two
spaces. 16.2.1.3 Name and brand or trademark of the manufacturer,
16.2.1.4 Number of pieces,
16. Packaging and Package Marking
16.2.1.5 Purchase order number, and
16.1 Packaging:
16.2.1.6 Country of origin.
16.1.1 Unless otherwise specified, packaging shall be in
accordance with Practice D 3951.
17. Keywords
16.1.2 When special packaging requirements are required,
they shall be defined at the time of the inquiry and order. 17.1 alloy steel; bolts; steel; studs
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
S1. Marking S1.2 Marking small sizes (customarily less than 0.375 in.
S1.1 Studs that are continuously threaded with the same (9.525 mm) may not be practical. Consult the producer for the
class of thread shall be marked on each end with the marking minimum size that can be marked.
in accordance with Section 15.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee F16 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue, A 354 – 03a,
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Aug. 1, 2004.)
(1) Deleted “values in parentheses are for information only” (3) Deleted 15.2.3 permitting marking per A 354–95 until
in 1.4. October 1999.
(2) Deleted reference to Table 4, renumbered Table 5 to Table (4) Deleted Table 4, SI tensile values for full-size fasteners.
4 and deleted soft metric units. (5) Revised Section 12, Responsibility.
Committee F16 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue, A 354 – 03, that may
impact the use of this standard. (Approved Oct. 1, 2003.)
Committee F16 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue, A 354 – 01, that may
impact the use of this standard. (Approved March 10, 2003.)
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