MATERIALS CARBON & ALLOY STEELS

P R O F E S S I O N A L S S E R V I N G P R O F E S S I O N A L S 7
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STEEL FASTENERS
CARBON STEEL FASTENERS
Approximately 90 percent of all fasteners are manufactured
from carbon steel. Steel has excellent workability, a broad
range of strength properties, and the raw material is quite
inexpensive. There are over 100 different standard strength
grades for steel fasteners, each with its own set of properties
and designations.
In general, carbon steel fastener strength grades can be
placed into three broad groupings involving low carbon,
medium carbon, and alloy steel, The most widely referenced
strength grade for carbon steel external threaded fasteners is
detailed in the SAE J429 standard. The system is comprised
of bolt grades made from low carbon steel through to alloy
steels.
The common grades of the SAE system are repeated and
expanded upon in separate ASTM standards, notably A307,
A449, A325 and A490.
LOW CARBON STEELS (Used for GR2 bolts)
Low carbon steels, as used for fasteners, are defined as
those with insufficient carbon content to permit a predictable
response to a strengthening heat treatment process. The
most commonly used analysis are AISI 1006, 1008, 1016,
1018, 1021 and 1022. These steels have good workability,
they can be case hardened, and are weldable.
Note: (Piping Bolt) The low carbon steel fastener ASTM A307
is a special bolt used in piping and flange work. It has
properties similar to other low carbon steel bolts except that it
has the added requirement of a specified maximum tensile
strength. The reason for this is to ensure that the bolt will
fracture, before breaking a cast iron flange on a pump or
valve, if the bolt is inadvertently over-tightened.
MEDIUM CARBON STEELS (Used for GR5 bolts)
Medium carbon steels are heat treatable, which means that
through metallurgical treatments the tensile strength of the
fastener after processing can be significantly higher than that
of its original raw material. Popular analysis are AISI 1030,
1035, 1038 and 1541. On a strength-to-cost basis, medium
carbon heat treated steel fasteners provide more load carrying
capability per unit of cost than any other known metal. Their
yield-to-tensile ratio is the lowest of all heat treated steels
which gives them superior ductility. In fact, they are
frequently referred to as forgiving which means they have a
punching bag ability to absorb punishment and service abuse.
ALLOY STEELS (Used for GR8 bolts)
Carbon steel is classed as an alloy steel when the maximum
of the range of content specified for manganese is greater
than 1.65 percent, or for silicon 0.60 percent, or for copper
0.60 percent, or when the chromium content is less than 4.0
percent (if greater it approaches being a stainless steel), or
when the steel contains a specified minimum content of
aluminum, boron, cobalt, columbium, molybdenum, nickel,
titanium, vanadium, zirconium, or any other element added to
achieve a specific effect.
ALLOY STEEL STUD BOLTING MATERIALS
The following grades of heat treated alloy steel studs are
commonly used for high-pressure or extreme service in
diameters of 1/4 inch to 4 inches, inclusive. Other grades and
other diameters are available on special order.
ASTM A193, Grade B7
A heat treated chromium-molybdenum steel widely used for
medium high temperature service. (Liquid quench -50 to
900F, Air quench -40to 900F)
ASTM A193, Grade B7M
Similar to B7 studs except that the minimum yield and tensile
strength requirements are reduced and the hardness
controlled to 235 Brinell maximum. Designed for use in
corrosive environments. (-50to 900F.)
ASTM A193, Grade B16
A heat treated chromium-molybdenum, vanadium steel for
high pressure, high temperature service. (-50to 1100F.)
ASTM A320, Grade L7
This grade is intended for low temperature service down to
minus 150F and has a minimum Charpy impact value of 20
ft lb at this temperature. (-150to 1100F.)
ASTM A320, Grade L7M
Similar to L7 studs except that the minimum yield and tensile
strength requirements are reduced and the
hardness controlled to 235 Brinell maximum. This stud
is designed for use in low temperature corrosive environ-
ments. (-150to 1100F.)
ASTM A193, Grade B8
These Chromium-Nickel (AISI 304) austenitic steel studs are
used in corrosive environments. (-325to 1500F.)
ASTM A193, Grade B8M
These Chromium-Nickel Molybdenum (AISI 316) austenitic
steel studs are used in corrosive environments. (-325
to 1500F.)
CARBON AND ALLOY STEEL NUTS
ASTM A194, Latest Revision, Grade 2H
Suitable for use in high temperatures and high pressure
conditions.
ASTM A194, Grade 2HM
Similar to 2H nuts except this grade is designed for use in
corrosive environments.
ASTM A194, Latest Revision, Grade 4
Heat treated molybdenum steel nuts suitable for severe
temperature and pressure conditions.
ASTM A194, Latest Revision, Grade L7
New stamping as per ASTM is 7L. Heat treated chrome-
molybdenum steel nuts suitable for extreme temperature and
pressure conditions. Suitable for sub-zero service conditions
and have minimum Charpy impact values of ASTM spec.
A320. Grade 7 down to -150F.
ASTM A194, Grade L7M
New stamping as per ASTMis 7ML. Similar to grade L7 nuts
except this grade is designed for use in corrosive environments.
ASTM A194, Grade 8/8M
Stainless steel nuts designed for use in corrosive
environments.
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