Ultra Bolts
Ultra Bolts
Ultra Bolts
Hardness (HV)
b
Hardness (HRC)
Proof Load (90% YS)
c
Wedge Tensile (full size) MPa
Wedge test angle (threaded to head)
Wedge test angle (not threaded to head)
d
Yield Strength , minimum
d
Elongation , minimum
d
Reduction of area , minimum
a.
b.
c.
d.
14.8U
420 480
42 - 48
985 MPa
1400 - 1570
0
4
0
6
1120 MPa
10%
50%
Property Classes
15.8U
455 515
45 - 51
1050 MPa
1500 - 1670
0
4
0
6
1200 MPa
9%
48%
16.8U
490 - 550
49 - 52
1115 MPa
1600 - 1770
0
4
0
6
1280 MPa
8%
44%
USCAR IFI GUIDE for Ultra-high Strength Externally Threaded Fasteners November 23, 2015
Page 1 of 3
5. Material:
Material shall meet the requirements of alloy steel defined in ISO 898-1. Material hardenability shall be such
that a 90% lower bainitic transformation is achievable.
Appropriate steel materials have to be chosen and agreed between bolt manufacturer and purchaser.
Note: SAE J403, grade 8640 steel has been found to be a suitable material. (see Appendix A)
6. Microscopic Analysis:
The microstructure of the fasteners is lower bainite. The core of the threaded portion of the fastener shall
consist of a minimum of 90% lower bainite. The balance of the microstructure may be martensite
incorporated as islands, but shall not be present in cohesive areas. The islands must not exceed a size of
80m in any direction (assessment at a minimum magnification of 500:1).
7. Heat Treat Process (hardening by austempering):
a. The fasteners shall be austenized in a controlled atmosphere furnace adjusted for the carbon
content of the material or in the presence of protective gas.
b. If the fastener raw material was phosphate coated the fasteners shall be processed to remove
surface phosphate before hardening.
c. Ultra-high-strength fasteners with tensile strength values Rm 1400 MPa are susceptible to
hydrogen-induced brittle failures. Great care must be exercised in properly applying the
austempering heat treat process to obtain primarily a lower bainite microstructure to achieve
high strength and a desirable degree of ductility.
8. Carburization:
a. Carburization is not permissible. When assessing carburization by hardness measurement,
care shall be taken to differentiate between a hardness increase due to carburization during
heat treatment and that resulting from cold working after hardening (e.g. thread rolling after
heat treatment).
b. In case of complete decarburization, partial decarburization, or reduction of carbon contents as
defined in section 9.10 of ISO 898-1(2009) the following limit values shall apply:
14.8U, 15.8U, 16.8U
Height of non - decarburized thread zone E
7/8 H1
Maximum depth of complete decarburization G in mm 0.015
H1: Height of external thread in maximum material condition, mm
9. Surface finishes:
a. Ultra-high strength fasteners to be used in engine applications (in oil circulation) are to be
coated preferentially with solid film lubricant / polymer or with zinc phosphate + solid film
lubricant or polymer.
Zinc-phosphated fasteners shall not be installed for at least 7 days after phosphate (quarantine
time for hydrogen effusion).
b. Parts to be coated with zinc flake coating according to ISO 10683 shall be cleaned with
mechanical or alkaline procedures before coating. If chemical cleaning is needed for functional
reasons, only acids with suitable acid pickling inhibitors shall be used for pre-treatment cleaning
to minimize the absorption of residual hydrogen.
Note: To avoid hydrogen induced brittle failures, zinc and zinc alloy electroplated finishes are not permissible for
ultra-high strength fasteners. The removal of existing surface coatings with electrochemical processes is not
permissible.
USCAR IFI GUIDE for Ultra-high Strength Externally Threaded Fasteners November 23, 2015
Page 2 of 3
APPENDIX
General Information and considerations
1. Development fasteners: The requirements in this document were derived from tests performed on MJ8
X 1.25 hex flange head screws roll threaded after heat treatment made from 8640 material. The
fasteners were separated into several lots and heat treated to various hardness levels. Approximately
half had martensitic microstructure and half lower bainitic microstructures.
2. Joint design considerations: The under-head compression and thread flank pressures of 14.8U and
higher strength fasteners are substantially greater than property class 10.9. The higher pressures
associated with properly loaded 14.8U and higher strength fasteners should be carefully considered
during the joint design process.
3. Installation tool considerations: Properly loaded property class 14.8U and higher strength fasteners
usually require significantly higher tightening values than do property class 10.9 fasteners. Because of
this thin-walled and unhardened driver sockets should not be used in the installation of these fasteners.
Six point sockets are preferred for use compared to twelve point sockets to minimize screw corner
rounding and rapid socket wear and/or breakage.
4. Thread rolling after hardening considerations:
a. Thread rolling after hardening increases fatigue life and helps to minimize thread nicking during
handling.
b. Thread rolling after hardening reduces the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement.
c. When fasteners are roll threaded after hardening M42 tool steel thread rolling dies are
recommended to prolong die life and minimize the creation of thread laps.
d. Thread rolling fasteners after hardening is more difficult than thread rolling before hardening
which usually results in higher associated manufacturing costs.
USCAR IFI GUIDE for Ultra-high Strength Externally Threaded Fasteners November 23, 2015
Page 3 of 3
Representative
Adam Kotlarek
Adrian Cockman
Al Dapoz
Brett Gibson
Duane Drobnich
Fadi Saliby
Horst Dieterle
Joe Greenslade
John Fragnoli
John Reiff
Kurt McKinney
M. Murphy
Mike Holly
R. Talbott
Ralph White
Salim Brahimi
T. Knott
USCAR IFI GUIDE for Ultra-high Strength Externally Threaded Fasteners November 23, 2015
Page 4 of 3