Designation: A320/A320M − 11a

Standard Specification for

Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting for Low-Temperature
Service1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A320/A320M; 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 (´) 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* 1.3 The following referenced general requirements are in-

2 dispensable for application of this specification: Specification
1.1 This specification covers alloy steel bolting for pres-
A962/A962M.
sure vessels, valves, flanges, and fittings for low-temperature
service. See Specification A962/A962M for the definition of 1.4 Nuts for use with bolting are covered in Section 10 and
bolting. The bars shall be hot-wrought and may be further the nut material shall be impact tested.
processed by centerless grinding or by cold drawing. Austenitic 1.5 Supplementary Requirements are provided for use at the
stainless steel may be solution annealed or annealed and option of the purchaser. The supplementary requirements shall
strain-hardened. When strain hardened austenitic stainless steel apply only when specified in the purchase order or contract.
is ordered, the purchaser should take special care to ensure that 1.6 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units
Appendix X1 is thoroughly understood. and SI units; however, unless the purchase order or contract
1.2 Several grades are covered, including both ferritic and specifies the applicable M specification designation (SI) units,
austenitic steels designated L7, B8, etc. Selection will depend the inch-pound units shall apply.
on design, service conditions, mechanical properties, and 1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
low-temperature characteristics. The mechanical requirements are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
of Table 1 indicate the diameters for which the minimum each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
mechanical properties apply to the various grades and classes, system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
and Table 2 stipulates the requirements for Charpy impact values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
energy absorption. The manufacturer should determine that the with the standard.
material can conform to these requirements before parts are
manufactured. For example, when Grade L43 is specified to 2. Referenced Documents
meet the Table 2 impact energy values at −150 °F [−101 °C], 2.1 ASTM Standards:3
additional restrictions (such as procuring a steel with lower P A194/A194M Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts
and S contents than might normally be supplied) in the for Bolts for High Pressure or High Temperature Service,
chemical composition for AISI 4340 are likely to be required. or Both
NOTE 1—The committee formulating this specification has included
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
several grades of material that have been rather extensively used for the of Steel Products
present purpose. Other compositions will be considered for inclusion by A962/A962M Specification for Common Requirements for
the committee from time to time as the need becomes apparent. Users Bolting Intended for Use at Any Temperature from Cryo-
should note that hardenability of some of the grades mentioned may genic to the Creep Range
restrict the maximum size at which the required mechanical properties are
obtainable.
E566 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Sorting
of Ferrous Metals
F436 Specification for Hardened Steel Washers
F606 Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical Proper-
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, ties of Externally and Internally Threaded Fasteners,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloysand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.22 on Steel Forgings and Wrought Fittings for Piping Applications and Bolting
Washers, Direct Tension Indicators, and Rivets
Materials for Piping and Special Purpose Applications.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011. Published December 2011. Originally
3
approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as A320/A320M–11. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
DOI: 10.1520/A0320_A0320M-11a. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specifi- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
cation SA-320 in Section II of that Code. the ASTM website.

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

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 A320/A320M − 11a
2.2 ASME Standards:4 5.1.2 When increased mechanical properties are desired,
B1.1 Screw Threads austenitic bolting shall be solution annealed and strain hard-
B18.22.1 Plain Washers ened if specified in the purchase order; material so treated is
identified as Class 2.
3. Ordering Information 5.1.3 If scale-free bright finish is required, this shall be
3.1 It is the purchaser’s responsibility to specify in the specified in the purchase order.
purchase order all information necessary to purchase the 5.1.4 For L7M bolting, the final heat treatment, which may
needed materials. Examples of such information include, but be the tempering or stress-relieving operation conducted at
are not limited to, the following: 1150 °F [620 °C] minimum, shall be done after machining or
rolling of the threads and any type of cutting.
3.1.1 Quantity and size,
3.1.2 Heat-treated condition, that is, for the austenitic stain- 6. Mechanical Requirements
less steels, solution-treated (Class 1); solution-treated after
finishing (Class 1A); and annealed and strain-hardened (Class 6.1 Tensile Properties:
2), 6.1.1 The material as represented by the tension specimens
3.1.3 Description of items required (bars, bolts, screws, or shall conform to the requirements as to tensile properties
studs), prescribed in Table 1 at room temperature after heat treatment
3.1.4 Nuts and washers, if required by the purchaser, in (see 5.1.1). Alternatively, Class 2 Strain Hardened Headed
accordance with Section 10, and Fasteners shall be tested full size after strain hardening to
3.1.5 Special requirements, in accordance with 5.1.1, 5.1.2, determine tensile strength and yield strength and shall conform
5.1.3, and 13.1. to the requirements prescribed in Table 1. Should the results of
full size tests conflict with results of tension specimen tests,
4. Common Requirements full size test results shall prevail.
6.1.2 Number of Tests:
4.1 Bolting supplied to this specification shall conform to 6.1.2.1 For heat-treated bars, one tension test and one
the requirements of Specification A962/A962M. These re- impact test consisting of three specimens shall be made for
quirements include test methods, finish, thread dimensions, each diameter of each heat represented in each tempering
macroetch (carbon and alloy steels only) marking, certification, charge. When heat treated without interruption in continuous
optional supplementary requirements, and others. Failure to furnaces, the material in a lot shall be the same heat, same prior
comply with the requirements of Specification A962/A962M condition, same size, and subjected to the same heat treatment.
constitutes nonconformance with this specification. In case of Not fewer than two tensile tests and two impact tests are
conflict between the requirements in this specification and required for each lot containing 20 000 lbs [9000 kg] or less.
Specification A962/A962M, this specification shall prevail. Every additional 10 000 lbs [4500 kg] or fraction thereof
4.2 For L7M bolting, the final heat treatment, which may be requires an additional tensile test and impact test.
the tempering operation if conducted at 1150 °F [620 °C] 6.1.2.2 For studs, bolts, screws, etc., one tension test and
minimum, shall be done after machining and forming opera- one set of three impact specimens shall be made for each
tions, including thread rolling and any type of cutting. diameter of each heat involved in the lot. Each lot shall consist
of the following:
5. Materials and Manufacture Diameter, in. [mm] Lot Size, lb [kg]

5.1 Heat Treatment: 11⁄8 [30] and under 1500 [680] or fraction thereof
5.1.1 Bolting shall be allowed to cool to room temperature Over 11⁄8 [30] to 13⁄4 [45], 4500 [2040] or fraction
incl thereof
after rolling or forging. Grades L7, L7A, L7B, L7C, L7M, L43, Over 13⁄4 [45] to 21⁄2 [65], 6000 [2700] or fraction
L1, L70, L71, L72, and L73 shall be reheated to above the incl thereof
upper critical temperature and liquid quenched and tempered. Over 21⁄2 [65] 100 pieces or fraction thereof

Grades B8, B8C, B8M, B8T, B8F, B8P, B8LN, and B8MLN 6.1.2.3 Full Size Specimens, Headed Fasteners—Headed
shall receive a carbide solution treatment. Products made from fasteners 1 1⁄2 in. in body diameter and smaller, with body
such material are described as Class 1. This shall consist of length three times the diameter or longer, and which are
holding the material for a sufficient time at a temperature at produced by upsetting or forging (hot or cold) shall be
which the chromium carbide will go into solution and then subjected to full size testing in accordance with 6.1.3. This
cooling in air or in a liquid medium at a rate sufficient to testing shall be in addition to tensile testing as specified in
prevent reprecipitation of the carbide. Material thus treated is 6.1.1. The lot size shall be shown in 6.1.2.2. Failure shall occur
described as Class 1. If specified in the purchase order, material in the body or threaded sections with no failure, or indications
shall be solution treated in the finished condition; material so of failure, such as cracks, at the junction of the head and shank.
treated is described as Class 1A. 6.1.3 Full Size Fasteners, Wedge Tensile Testing—When
applicable, see 6.1.2.3. Headed fasteners shall be wedge tested
full size in accordance with Annex A3 of Test Methods and
4
Definitions A370 and shall conform to the tensile strength
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
International Headquarters, Three Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http:// shown in Table 1. The minimum full size breaking strength
www.asme.org. (lbf) for individual sizes shall be as follows:

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 A320/A320M − 11a
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specified by the purchaser in the
inquiry, contract, and order.

S1. Impact Properties S3. Hardness Testing of Class 2 Bolting for ASME Appli-
S1.1 When impact properties are desired for austenitic steel cations
grades exempt from testing under 6.2.1, test shall be made as S3.1 The maximum hardness shall be Rockwell C35 imme-
agreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser. diately under the thread roots. The hardness shall be taken on
S2. Lateral Expansion a flat area at least 1⁄8 in. [3 mm] across, prepared by removing
S2.1 When lateral expansion measurements for ferritic threads. No more material than necessary shall be removed to
steels are required in addition to the energy absorption require- prepare the flat area. Hardness determinations shall be made at
ments of 6.2.1.1, the minimum value for each specimen of a set the same frequency as tensile tests.
must be .015 in. [0.38 mm]. The test temperature shall be
specified by the purchaser and agreed upon by the producer. S4. Restriction to Use Only Ingot Cast Steel
NOTE S2.1—Grades L7, L7A, L7B will generally have difficulty
meeting the minimum value at −150 °F [−101 °C]. Grade L43 may be
S4.1 The starting material must be ingot cast. Use of
preferred. continuous cast material is not permitted.

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. STRAIN HARDENING OF AUSTENITIC STEELS

X1.1 Strain hardening is the increase in strength and hard- greater the penetration of strain hardening.
ness that results from plastic deformation below the recrystal-
lization temperature (cold work). This effect is produced in X1.2 Thus, the mechanical properties of a given strain
austenitic stainless steels by reducing oversized bars or wire to hardened fastener are dependent not just on the alloy, but also
the desired final size by cold drawing or other process. The on the size of bar from which it is machined. The minimum bar
degree of strain hardening achievable in any alloy is limited by size that can be used, however, is established by the configu-
its strain hardening characteristics. In addition, the amount of ration of the fastener, so that the configuration can affect the
strain hardening that can be produced is further limited by the strength of the fastener.
variables of the process, such as the total amount of cross-
section reduction, die angle, and bar size. In large diameter X1.3 For example, a stud of a particular alloy and size may
bars, for example, plastic deformation will occur principally in be machined from a smaller diameter bar than a bolt of the
the outer regions of the bar, so that the increased strength and same alloy and size because a larger diameter bar is required to
hardness due to strain hardening is achieved predominantly accommodate the head of the bolt. The stud, therefore, is likely
near the surface of the bar. That is, the smaller the bar, the to be stronger than the same size bolt in a given alloy.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue,
A320/A320M–11, that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved November 1, 2011)

(1) Clarified certification and marking to reflect changes to

Specification A962/A962M.

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue,
A320/A320M–10a, that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved May 1, 2011)

(1) Added Supplementary Requirement S4.

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 A320/A320M − 11a
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue,
A320/A320M–10, that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved November 1, 2010)

(1) Clarified impact test requirements for carbide solution (2) Revised 6.1.2.1.
treated austenitic stainless steel in 6.2.1.1. (3) Changed “HB” to “HBW” throughout.

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue,
A320/A320M–08, that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved May 1, 2010)

(1) Revised title and replaced occurrences of “bolting material”

with “bolting.” Dropped definition for “bolting material”
because it is in Specification A962/A962M. Updated Scope
section relative to supplementary requirements, use of SI units
as per Guide A994 and added reference to Specification
A962/A962M as indispensable for application of this specifi-
cation. Dropped marking sections covered in Specification
A962/A962M.

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