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If you’re considering a Grade 8 bolt for your application, it’s important to understand just how strong they truly are, plus other characteristics that affect their performance. We have that information for you below.

What Is a Grade 8 Bolt?

A Grade 8 bolt is a type of high-strength fastener that’s named after its SAE () grade classification, which is based on its mechanical properties. Hence, “Grade 8” is short for “SAE J429 Grade 8.” is one of the most common standards for inch fasteners, and Grade 8 is the highest grade within it

Grade 8 bolts are made of medium-strength carbon or alloy steel and can be finished in a variety of coatings and platings for added corrosion resistance and lubricity.Ìę

How to Identify a Grade 8 Bolt

You can identify a Grade 8 bolt by looking at its head markings. An SAE J429 Grade 8 bolt’s head marking will show six radial lines like this:

Other bolt grades have a different number of radial lines. For example, SAE J429 Grade 2 has no lines, and Grade 5 has three lines.

As you can also see, the dictates that manufacturers must mark each fastener head with their unique company symbol as well.Ìę

How Strong Are Grade 8 Bolts?

Grade 8 bolts are the highest grade of bolts under the SAE J429 standard, which means they have the highest strength. Here are their various strength specifications:Ìę

But now you might be wondering what those PSI numbers really mean. PSI isn’t a measurement we frequently use outside of the manufacturing and engineering world, so let’s put some real-world information behind them and convert the measurements into real-world loads.Ìę

For example, a Œ” diameter bolt’s cross-section area is .0491”. If we take the 150,000 PSI and multiply it by .0491”, we get 7,365 lbs. So a Grade 8 bolt that’s Œ” in diameter should be able to hold a load of roughly 7,365 lbs. Here are some other approximates for parts of other common sizes:Ìę

To expand on this even more, a Chevy Suburban weighs about 5,800 lbs. So, given this information, you could easily support the weight of a Chevy Suburban with just one Œ” Grade 8 bolt. Yes, you read that right.

Here are some other things that weigh in the same neighborhood as these bolts’ PSI loads.Ìę

With that context, it’s easy to understand why Grade 8 bolts are considered high-strength. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that they aren’t the strongest bolt choice out there. While they may be at the top of the list for SAE J429, there are some other standards and superalloy materials that result in bolts capable of withstanding more extreme conditions.

Common Grade 8 Bolt Applications

High-strength bolts constitute high-strength applications. It wouldn’t make sense and frankly would be a waste of money to use a Grade 8 bolt for anything less. You’ll commonly see Grade 8 bolts used in industries like:Ìę

• Military
• Heavy machinery
• Heavy truck
• Aerospace

Explore More Resources on Bolt Grades

If you’d like to learn more about the different bolt grades available and which may be best for your specific use case, these articles may interest you:Ìę

• Different Bolt Grades and Their Applications
• What Is a Bolt? The Ultimate Guide to Bolt Types, Grades, Manufacturing, and More
• What Do Screw and Bolt Head Markings Mean?
• Understanding a Few Common ASTM Inch-Series Bolt Grade Markings
• Understanding Metric Bolt and Screw Grades

If you know which grade you need and you’re ready to request a quote, please fill out this form.

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So, what are those differences, and what exactly does “custom fastener” mean to us? This article will fill you in.

What Are Custom Fasteners?

Custom fasteners are any fasteners that are manufactured to customer specifications. They don’t follow a standard design, which makes them hard to find in the general fastener marketplace. Specifications can be made for several characteristics, including part, size, head style, material, coating, and more.

Custom fasteners are also commonly referred to as special fasteners, specialty fasteners, and per-spec fasteners.

RELATED: Need a specialty bolt, screw, or stud? șÚÁÏÍű can help.

Custom Fastener Manufacturer Capabilities

“Custom” can mean a number of things, depending on which engineer, designer, or manufacturer you ask. But since the word “custom” can be so broad, it’s important to understand that every manufacturer will be limited to some extent by their capabilities.

As an example of what that may look like, we’ll list some of our custom fastener manufacturing capabilities. We specialize in limited-run, special parts made to the highest quality. However, we are limited by our size and equipment to a relatively small scope of parts. Please keep in mind that this is just what we can do; other manufacturers may be able to make more, less, or different parts.

Parts Capabilities

We can manufacture the following fastener types:

• Bolts
• Screws
• Studs
• Wheel studs

Head Style Capabilities

We can manufacture parts with the following head styles:

• Hex head
• Round head
• Square head
• Place bolt

We can also manufacture these head styles, but only with one particular part number:

• T-bolts (7069543)
• 12 point (9338540-2)

Size Capabilities

Our size capabilities vary depending on the type of fastener you’re looking for. Here are the size specifications we can handle, categorized by type.

Bolts & Screws

Diameters

• M5 – M30
• Œ” – 1 Œ”

Lengths

• Diameters up to 5/16” = 6” maximum length
• Diameters ⅜” or more = 8” maximum length

Place Bolts

Diameters

• M8 – M20
• Œ” – 1”

Lengths

• Diameters up to 5/16” = 6” maximum length
• Diameters ⅜” or more = 8” maximum length

Wheel Studs

Diameters

• M8 – M30
• 5/16” – 1 ⅛”

Material Capabilities

We specialize in the manufacturing of alloy steel and carbon steel fasteners. We do not manufacture parts with stainless steel or super alloys like Monel and Inconel.

How the Custom Fastener Manufacturing Process Works

Again, the custom fastener manufacturing process may look different depending on which manufacturer you choose to work with. Here’s a general idea of what our processes are like for customers who know the exact part they need and for customers who aren’t 100% sure of what they need yet.

Custom Fastener Manufacturing for a Known Part

Most of the time, a customer comes to us knowing exactly the part they need. An engineer or designer has determined the part that’s needed and what its specifications are. They’ve already drawn the blueprints for it.

At that point, they’ll submit an RFQ and blueprint to our team, which also states the number of parts that are needed. We’ll review it to make sure it’s in our wheelhouse of capabilities. If it is, we’ll send a quote out, and if the customer chooses to place the order, we run the job.

If the part is not within our wheelhouse of capabilities, we’re happy to refer the customer to a different manufacturer who will be able to help.

Custom Fastener Manufacturing for an Unknown Part

Occasionally, a customer will come to us without knowing the exact part they need. While we don’t have an engineering team on staff to design the part for them, we’re more than happy to offer recommendations based on the part’s intended application. We can also make suggestions to help make things easier and more affordable.

Some example recommendations we’ve made in the past include:

• Certain lengths are standard for certain diameters, and fitting within those standard dimensions can make the manufacturing and installation process much easier.
• We have existing tooling for some parts, so if the customer can work within the tooling we have, they won’t be charged for new tooling.
• Some fastener coatings are cheaper and easier to source than others.

If the part with all of its recommendations is something we can manufacture, we talk quantities, pricing, and lead times and send a quote out. If the quote is signed, we run the job.

It’s important to note that this is an instance where ordering in a limited-run quantity is especially helpful. Because we can make fasteners in limited-run quantities, customers can mitigate risk by ordering a smaller “trial run” before committing to high production volumes.

And, of course, if the part’s design isn’t within our wheelhouse of capabilities, we’re happy to refer the customer to a different manufacturer who can help them.

șÚÁÏÍű: Your Trusted Source for Custom Bolts, Screws, and Studs

șÚÁÏÍű is an American manufacturer of limited-run, hard-to-find, custom fasteners. Our jobs are manufactured to customer specifications and cold-formed for durable, high-quality results.

If you need a custom bolt, screw, or stud for your project, we’re your top-choice manufacturer. Send us your ideas or blueprints, and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can help bring them to life.

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We’ll discuss a little about what a self-locking bolt is, how it works, and what it’s commonly used for below.

What Is a Self-Locking Bolt?

A self-locking bolt is a bolt that has a locking mechanism designed to keep the bolt tight without needing a separate lock nut or lock washer. Its specialized design helps to prevent the possibility of unintentional loosening, even in high-vibration applications.

Examples of Self-Locking Bolts

Think of “self-locking bolt” as a broad category of fastener, as there are a few specific types of bolts that fall within that category. While they’re all designed with a similar intention, there are a few differences between them in terms of features and performance.

Some examples of self-locking bolts include:

• Place bolts —ÌęPlace bolts have special slotted hex heads that are responsible for their self-locking action. They’re known to produce up to seven times more vibration resistance than traditional hex head cap screws, making them one of the best self-locking bolt options on the market. There are three types of Place bolts:
  • AA Place bolt — The original Place bolt design invented by Charles Place in the 1950s. It features a symmetrical six-slot head with an undercut.
  • B Place bolt — șÚÁÏÍű’s improved Place bolt design. It features a five-slot asymmetrical head with an undercut.
  • BH Place bolt — șÚÁÏÍű’s further improved Place bolt design. It also features a five-slot asymmetrical head with an undercut, but the head is oversized to provide an even better locking effect.
• Locking patches —ÌęLocking patches are compressed-engineered polymer patches that are bonded permanently to a fastener’s threads. They’re typically made of nylon, but have been known to be produced with other materials as well. Just like there are different types of Place bolts, there are different types of locking patches. While they’re each applied and function differently, they work to accomplish the same goal: that locking action.

For reference on both of the self-locking bolt solutions listed above, check out this photo of a Place bolt with a locking patch:

• Drill a hole in a bolt head and put a wire through —ÌęNo, we’re not making that up. It’s a rather low-tech option, but it works fine for some applications.

RELATED: Need a specialty bolt, screw, or stud? șÚÁÏÍű can help.

How Does a Self-Locking Bolt Work?

Self-locking bolts work in various ways, mostly depending on which type of self-locking bolt you’re dealing with. For example, a Place bolt’s unique head design and undercut work together to create a diaphragm-like locking action.

With locking patches, the nylon (or other polymer) compound is dotted or wrapped around a bolt’s threading. In most cases, these patches don’t actually fuse the threads; instead, they kind of push the bolt so it’s off-center in the hole. This makes the bolt and its thread press tightly up against the insertion material and resist loosening.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Self-Locking Bolt?

Depending on your application, a self-locking bolt can offer many benefits over a traditional nut-and-bolt combination. Some of most prominent advantages include:

• Unmatched vibration resistance —ÌęUp to seven times higher than traditional hex head cap screws!
• Boosted cost-effectiveness — No need for locking washers means fewer parts to purchase.
• Reduced parts inventory —ÌęNo need for locking washers also means fewer parts for you to keep track of.
• Simplified assembly —ÌęNo need for locking washers also means easier, faster insertion and assembly.

Which Applications Frequently Use Self-Locking Bolts?

There are many uses for self-locking bolts, in all kinds of industries. However, their unique benefits can be taken advantage of most in applications and environments where a lot of vibration resistance is needed. Some examples are:

• Cylinder heads
• Flywheels
• Flexplates
• Ring gears
• Mud pumps on oil rigs
• Compressor mountings
• Transmission covers
• Any other application where you don’t want to worry about your joint coming loose over time

Get High-Quality, Self-Locking Place Bolts at șÚÁÏÍű

Need a self-locking bolt for your application? Trust șÚÁÏÍű to deliver. Our Place bolts are some of the industry’s top-performing self-locking bolt solutions —Ìęmanufactured to meet your specifications and ideal for any application where vibration resistance is a priority. Contact our team for more information or request a quote today.

The post What Is a Self-Locking Bolt, and How Does It Work? appeared first on șÚÁÏÍű.

Let’s take a closer look into wheel studs vs. wheel bolts below.

What Are Wheel Studs and Wheel Bolts?

Wheel studs have a threaded shaft, an unthreaded body, a ribbed neck (usually), and a flat head that’s usually round (but not always). Yes, there are a few ifs and usuallys in that sentence, but that’s the complex nature of the fastener industry for you.

Wheel studs are usually pressed into the hole, where the ribbing grips the hole and holds them in place. The threaded parts of the studs don’t engage with the hole. They’re then paired with lug nuts.

Every characteristic listed above describes the most popular type of wheel stud: press-in. However, there is another type of wheel stud that is used pretty commonly as well: screw-in.

Screw-in wheel studs are a bit different and a little less common. They have a continuously threaded shaft all the way up to the head, which is usually a hex head. They’re installed by screwing them directly into the hole where the threads directly engage the hole and holding them in place.

Wheel bolts also have a threaded shaft and a tapered head that matches a vehicle’s wheel insert. However, they go in through the wheel insert, through the brake rotor hat, and straight to the hub, locking everything in place. They aren’t generally paired with nuts.

RELATED: Need a specialty bolt, screw, or stud? șÚÁÏÍű can help.

Wheel Studs vs. Wheel Bolts: The Key Differences

While both wheel studs and wheel bolts serve the same general purpose —Ìęholding wheels onto vehicles —Ìęthere are some key differences between them, such as their insertion method, their ease of use, where they’re commonly used, and the number of additional parts required for installation. We’ll look at a few of these differences below.

Wheel Studs

Here’s the rundown on wheel studs:

• Insertion method —ÌęAs mentioned previously, wheel studs are mounted in the wheel hub, stick out beyond the brake rotor hat, and are then paired with lug nuts.
• Ease of use —ÌęWheel studs stay in place when you remove a vehicle tire, so you don’t have to go through the process of realigning everything upon replacement. This makes for quick and simple tire changes. However, wheel studs can be a pain to replace because you have to get them back out of the hole they were pressed into without destroying the wheel hub.
• Where they’re used —ÌęWheel studs are the most popular choice for American automotive manufacturers.
• Additional parts required —ÌęWheel studs need to be paired with nuts, so you have to purchase and obtain those additional parts. However, the nuts do help wheel studs maintain more consistent torque.

Wheel Bolts

Conversely, here’s how wheel bolts differ:

• Insertion method — Wheel studs are installed from behind the wheel hub and attached with lug nuts on the front, but wheel bolts are installed in the wheel insert from the front, through the brake rotor hat and directly into the hub.
• Ease of use — When wheel bolts are removed, the brake rotors can rotate freely. This means you have to realign the rotors with the wheel inserts whenever you’re replacing tires. It’s not the most difficult process in the world, but it does add extra time and hassle for regular tire changes. Plus, if any threads are stripped in the hub during the process, the entire hub must be replaced.
• Where they’re used —ÌęWheel bolts are the most popular choice for European automotive manufacturers.
• Additional parts required —ÌęWheel bolts are not paired with nuts, so no other parts are required.

Wheel Studs vs. Wheel Bolts: Which Is Best For Your Application?

There’s not really a wrong answer here. As long as you know the differences between wheel studs and wheel bolts, you can base your decision on what you think would work best for your vehicle. As you can likely tell from the information above, wheel studs are generally the best option for efficient automotive assembly —Ìębut there are also some situations where wheel bolts are best, like if you don’t have nuts to pair the studs with.

If you’re looking for per-spec, limited-run wheel studs, you’re in the right place. At șÚÁÏÍű, our team has over 70 years of experience in the fastener industry, and we’ve helped a bunch of local, national, and international automotive manufacturers find the right fastener solution for their wheel hub assemblies. We even specialize in MS wheel studs for military vehicles, mining trucks, and other heavy-duty applications. Contact us to see how we can help you.

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The fastener industry can be complicated, especially if you need a part that’s more specialized than your typical Phillips-head screw. There are a ton of new, technical terms to learn —Ìębut we’ve got you covered. Here’s a glossary-style list with some of the most important fastener terms and abbreviations you need to know.

A Guide to Fastener Terminology

Below is a list of about 50 different fastener terms and abbreviations, which are categorized into five different sections: types, manufacturing processes, measurement, testing, and standards and specifications.

While this is by no means a complete list of all the fastener terminology out there, it’s a good starting point for some of the most common terms to know going into your project.

If you have a question about a term or concept that isn’t defined on this list, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re happy to help. Also, be sure to browse the links associated with some of these terms, as they’ll lead you to our articles with more information regarding each subject.

RELATED: Need a specialty bolt, screw, or stud? șÚÁÏÍű can help.

Fastener Types

Bolt – An externally threaded fastener designed for insertion through holes in assembled parts. It’s normally intended to be tightened or released by torquing a nut.

Countersunk – Used to describe a fastener head that rests evenly with or below the material surface after installation. The design tapers toward the fastener shank, allowing the head to essentially “sink” into the surface.

Carriage bolt – A type of bolt with a threaded bar and a domed, enlarged head on one end that’s designed to keep the bolt from pulling through.

External drive – A fastener head that requires a tool, like a wrench, to wrap around the head for installation and removal.

External thread – Threading on the outside of a cylindrical fastener.

Head style – The type of head or top on a fastener, such as a round or hex head style.

Hex head – A fastener head with six vertical sides and a flat bearing surface.

Hex flange head – A fastener head with six vertical sides that expand out to a flat, washer-like bearing surface at the bottom.

Internal drive – A fastener head that requires a tool, like a screwdriver, to be inserted within the head for installation and removal.

Internal thread – Threading on the inside of a cylindrical, holed fastener.

MS fastener – Abbreviation for “mil-spec” or “military specification.” It’s a type of fastener that’s designed and maintained by the United States Military.

Non-countersunk – Used to describe a fastener head that protrudes from the material surface after installation, leaving the head fully exposed. The design includes a narrow shank that’s topped with an abrupt, wide head.

Place bolt – A self-locking, free-spinning hex head bolt that prevents loosening due to vibration. It offers up to seven times more vibration resistance than a conventional hex head cap screw.

Screw – An externally threaded fastener designed for insertion through holes in assembled parts, mating with a preformed internal thread, or forming their own thread. It’s tightened and released by torquing a head.

Specialty fastener – A fastener that’s designed and manufactured for a certain industry, application, or material. It’s made with unique specifications that set it apart from common fasteners you’d find at a hardware store or use in a widely practiced application.

Stud – An externally threaded fastener that typically looks like and operates as a threaded bar. It’s commonly used to join two components with internally threaded holes together

Washer – A thin plate with a hole in the middle, which is used to distribute the load and increase the bearing surface of a threaded fastener.

Fastener Manufacturing Processes

Cold forming – Also known as cold heading, this is a process of forming a fastener without heating up the material. It’s usually accomplished by striking or pressing the material within a form, or die, to create a part with desired specifications.

Fastener coating – A chemical that’s applied to the exterior of a fastener to improve its performance and longevity (e.g. zinc phosphate, cadmium electroplate, etc.)

Short-run production – Also known as limited-run production, this is a process in which a manufacturer accepts and fulfills orders involving relatively small quantities of product. At șÚÁÏÍű, we use short-run production to manufacture specialty fasteners in smaller quantities.

Thread cutting – The process of producing external threads on a fastener by cutting away, or removing, material from a round bar.

Thread rolling – The process of producing external threads on a fastener by rolling it through a set of threading dies that displace the material to form threads, without removing any material or changing its grain structure.

FastenerÌęMeasurement

Body diameter – The diameter of the body (or smooth part) of the fastener, which is generally located above the threads.

Major diameter – The largest diameter of a fastener thread. It’s measured from the crest (top) of a thread on one side to the crest of a thread on the other side.

Minor diameter – The smallest diameter of a fastener thread. It’s measured from the root (bottom) of a thread on one side to the root of a thread on the other side.

Nominal diameter – This is shorthand for “nominal major diameter” —Ìęand, in most cases, “nominal” just means “basically.” So it’s an estimated major diameter.

Pitch – The distance from a point along one thread to that same point on the next thread. You can measure pitch from the crest, the trough, or any point in between.

Pitch diameter –Ìę The diameter of a theoretical cylinder that exists halfway between the major and minor diameters.

TPI – Abbreviation for threads per inch. As the name suggests, it’s calculated by counting the number of thread peaks along a 1-inch length.

UNC – Abbreviation for Unified National Coarse thread. It’s the United States’ standard for fasteners with coarse threads. Coarse threads are bigger, and there are therefore fewer of them on a fastener.

UNF – Abbreviation for Unified National Fine thread. It’s the United States’ standard for fasteners with fine threads. Fine threads are smaller, and there are therefore more of them on a fastener.

Fastener Testing

Bearing surface testing – Fastener testing method that measures how much the amount of surface area and roughness of the bottom of the fastener head or washer will affect friction.

Coefficient of friction – Fastener testing method that measures the kinetic and static resistance of the surfaces of a bolted joint as it’s being tightened.

Hardenability testing – The testing of a material that provides data on the changes in hardness of a material as it’s heated to various temperatures.

NSS testing – Abbreviation for neutral salt spray testing. It’s a fastener testing method that measures corrosion resistance by inserting it in a test chamber with salt spray for a specified number of hours.

Proof load – The minimum amount of force a fastener must be able to withstand for a given amount of time without experiencing permanent deformation.

Tensile strength – The maximum force that a fastener can withstand before fracturing.

Torque-tension testing – Fastener testing method that measures the input torque required for a bolted joint to achieve a specified tension.

Yield strength – The load that’s carried at the point where a fastener experiences permanent deformation.

Fastener Standards and Specifications

ASME – Abbreviation for The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It’s an organization that creates quality standards for five main industries: bioengineering, robotics, clean energy, manufacturing, and pressure technology.

ASTM – Abbreviation for The American Society for Testing and Materials. It’s an organization that created one of the first quality standards sets, and it now focuses on six types of standards related to the manufacturing process: test method, specification, classification, practice, and guide and terminology.

DIN – Abbreviation for Deutsches Institut fĂŒr Normung, or the German Institute for Standardization. It’s an organization that creates quality standards, but many of those standards have been outright replaced by ISO standards.

IATF – Abbreviation for The International Automotive Task Force. It’s an organization of automotive manufacturers and their trade associations —Ìęall of who work to provide consistent quality management standards for automotive suppliers worldwide.

ISO – Abbreviations for The International Standards Organization. It’s an organization that establishes widely used standards for a multitude of manufacturing applications. It’s by far the most common standard for establishing an overreaching quality management system (QMS).

Grade – A set of characteristics, defined by a standard, that determines the material, hardness, and strength of a fastener. Many standards require distinct head markings to make the grades easier to identify.

Property class – The metric equivalent to the standard (or inch) term “grade.”

QMS – Abbreviation for quality management system. It outlines all the policies and procedures put in place by a company to ensure that its products and services meet customer requirements.

SAE – Abbreviation for The Society of Automotive Engineers. It’s a United States-based organization that’s composed of automotive and aerospace engineers, and that creates its own quality standards for manufacturing applications.

Have More Questions on Fastener Terminology? Contact Us.

The fastener industry can get a bit technical and confusing —Ìębut by working with șÚÁÏÍű, it doesn’t have to be. Our specialty fastener experts are here to help you decipher the details and find the right solution for your application. Contact us to learn more about our products, processes, and how we can best support you.

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Bolt Grades Explained

Bolt grades are defined by their specific material, as well as the strength of that material. This helps to determine the maximum amount of stress that the bolt can handle. Typically, a bolt grade spec will call out the material (or give a couple of material options), then list the strength requirements for that material.

If you’re working with carbon or alloy steel bolts (which are the most common), these strength requirements are determined by the hardness requirements for that material. The harder the material, the higher the bolt strength. Many specs may also have proof load or tensile strength requirements, but these are really just a confirmation of the strength that’s called out in the hardness requirements.

Overall, bolt grades are useful to be aware of when you’re deciding which kind of bolt you need for your particular application.

3 Governing Bodies That Create Bolt Grading Standards

SAE, ISO, and ASTM are three of the main governing bodies that create standards to set the rules for bolt grading systems. While there are many other governing bodies, each with their own long list of grading standards, we’re sticking to these three as examples in this article. They’re of the most common we deal with here at șÚÁÏÍű, but that’s not necessarily the case for every manufacturer.Ìę

Each of these systems have their own standards and naming conventions, but they generally follow the same rule for bolt grades —Ìęthe higher the grade, the stronger the bolt. If you’re unsure about the grade or material of a particular bolt, looking at its head is a good place to start, as most standards define head marking requirements for most grades.

SAE

SAE stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers. Its standards are one of the most common for inch parts. SAE J429 is the standard developed for bolt, screw, stud, sem, and U-bolt specifications.

For bolts, you can find the SAE J429 grade displayed in radial lines on the head, which indicate the grade and strength requirements.

More on SAE J429 grades, specifications, and head markings here.Ìę

ISO/Metric

ISO stands for the International Standards Organization. ISO 898-1 is the most commonly used standard for metric grades, or property classes (the technically correct terminology for metric bolt grades). It dictates the standard for bolts, screws, and studs made from carbon steel and alloy steel. It includes 10 different property classes.

For bolts, you can find the ISO 898-1 property class displayed in raised or depressed numbers on its head.

More on ISO property classes, specifications, and head markings here.Ìę

ASTM

ASTM stands for the American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM A307 is the standard developed for bolts and studs, and it creates two different grades: Grade A and Grade B. You’ll find the grade listed as 307A or 307B on the bolt head.

More on ASTM A307 grades, specifications, and head markings here.Ìę

Different Bolts Grades and Their Applications

Now let’s jump into some specific bolt grades and their applications. But first, let us say that there are many different bolt grades out there. For the sake of brevity, we’ll just be discussing a few of the most common bolt grades within each of the systems listed above.

SAE J429

• SAE J429 Grade 2 – For bolts made of low- to medium-strength carbon steel, this is the SAE J429 grade that requires the least amount of strength, between 60,000-74,000 psi. Therefore, these bolts are used for non-critical joints and applications. Contractors, designers, OEMs, and maintenance crews use them because they work for generic applications that aren’t exposed to extreme stress or temperatures, and they’re the most affordable.
• SAE J429 Grade 5 – For bolts made of medium-strength carbon or alloy steel, this grade has strength requirements that fall in the middle range, from 105,000-120,000 psi. They’re commonly used in military and heavy machinery applications, as they’re able to withstand quite a bit of stress.
• SAE J429 Grade 8 – For bolts made of medium-strength carbon or alloy steel, this grade offers the highest level of strength, up to 150,000 psi. Therefore, it’s used in applications with the most rugged, extreme conditions, such as military, heavy machinery, and aerospace engineering.

ISO 898-1

• ISO 898-1 Property Class 8.8 – This property class offers medium strength, and is comparable to SAE J429 Grade 5. Therefore, their applications are similar, including military and heavy machinery —Ìębut they’re also very commonly used in the automotive industry.
• ISO 898-1 Property Class 10.9 – This property class offers high strength, and is comparable to SAE J429 Grade 8. Therefore, 10.9 bolts also have the same common applications: military, heavy machinery, and aerospace.
• ISO 898-1 Property Class 12.9 – This property class offers some of the highest strength available. In fact, these are the strongest bolts we make here at șÚÁÏÍű. They’re used in critical applications like securing engine parts and motor casings.

ASTM A307

• ASTM A307 Grade A – As low- to medium-strength carbon steel bolts, Grade A bolts offer a minimum strength of 60,000 psi. They’re used for general, non-critical applications, and are comparable to SAE J429 Grade 2 bolts.
• ASTM A307 Grade B – As medium-strength carbon steel bolts, Grade B bolts offer a little more strength, between 60,000-100,000 psi. They’re commonly used in flanged joints in piping systems.

RELATED: Need a specialty bolt, screw, or stud? șÚÁÏÍű can help.

Stainless Steel & Titanium Bolt Grades

We should also mention that each of the system and bolt grades listed above are for bolts made of carbon or alloy steel. However, there are also many bolt grades for other materials, like stainless steel or titanium.

For example, some stainless steel and titanium bolt grades include:

Stainless Steel

• 304 – Commercial grade, 74,000 psi
• 316 – Marine grade, 180,000 psi

Titanium

• Grade 2Ìę – Commercial grade, 50,000 psi
• Grade 5 – High-strength, 138,000 psi

While we don’t work with these materials at șÚÁÏÍű, we’re happy to try and answer any questions you have about them or direct you to a solution that might work better for your application.

Not sure which bolt grade is right for your application? Talk to the team at șÚÁÏÍű! Our specialty fastener experts can help you determine the best solution, then manufacture parts that fit your specifications in limited-run quantities. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via phone call or our online contact form.

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The bottom line is, if we were to write about all the types of fasteners available, our fingers may just fall off. So in this article, we’ll be focusing on just three of the more commonly used fasteners: bolts, screws, and studs.

3 Common Types of Fasteners

Bolts, studs, and screws are just a few of the many types of fasteners out there. They can also be some of the trickiest to distinguish from each other. In terms of both appearance and function, their differences are often pretty unclear and ambiguous, especially when you mix in each type of fasteners’ various subtypes. Below, we’ll provide you with some general guidelines to understand what each type of fastener is, what it’s used for, and how it’s different from the rest.

1. Bolts

Bolts are externally threaded fasteners designed for insertion through the holes in assembled parts. They’re incredibly versatile fasteners, and they’re known for their holding strength and durability. They also allow for easier assembly and disassembly when needed.

Normally, bolts are intended to be tightened or released by torquing a nut, not a head. However, some subtypes do have heads on them and are used for different purposes. Amongst many others, some common bolt subtypes include:

• Carriage bolt – A type of bolt with a threaded bar and a domed, enlarged head on one end that is designed to keep the bolt from pulling through. It’s generally recommended for applications that involve attaching wood to metal.
• Hex bolt – A type of bolt that has a six-sided hex cap on one end. It’s intended to work with a nut and is commonly used in construction and heavy machinery applications.
• Flange bolt – Also called a hex flange, it’s a type of bolt that has a washer on the underside of a hex head, which helps distribute the force from a bearing load more efficiently. It’s commonly used in the automotive industry, especially in framing applications.
• Machine bolt – A type of bolt that has a threaded bar with a square head on one end and a semi-cone point on the other. It’s used for general hardware and fastening metal to metal.
• Specialty bolt – A type of bolt that is specifically designed and manufactured for a particular use. Due to their specificity, specialty bolts tend to be manufactured in smaller quantities, and can therefore be harder to find than standard parts.

2. Screws

Screws are externally threaded fasteners capable of being inserted into holes in assembled parts, mating with a preformed internal thread, or forming their own thread. In most cases, they’re self-tapping, meaning the threads of the screw mate with the material it’s turned through to hold the screw in place.

Screws usually have threads that aren’t compatible with nuts, so they’re tightened and released by torquing a head. Screw subtypes are generally defined by the material they’re used for, but there are a few outliers. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Hex head cap screw – A type of screw with a hexagon-shaped head that’s designed to be inserted into a pre-tapped hole. It’s commonly used in automotive and heavy machinery applications.
• Wood screw – A type of screw that has coarse threads, a smooth shank, and a tapered head, making it perfect for wood construction applications.
• Masonry screw – A type of screw that either has a flat head for countersinking or a hex washer head to sit on the surface of the material. It’s primarily used to fasten materials to concrete, mortar joints, and brick.
• Sheet metal screw – A type of screw that has sharp points and a flat or hex washer head. It’s primarily used for metal applications and can secure multiple materials at a time.
• Machine screw – A type of screw that has a rust-resistant coating and fine threads, making it a durable option for heavy-duty applications like joining machine parts.

*The difference between a bolt and a screw can be especially difficult to determine, so if you’re still confused after those descriptions, you’re not alone. Luckily, some organizations, including the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), have established criteria to help identify key elements of each. Although this is just one agency’s opinion, we like it because it’s clear and concise. You can learn more about it in this past article of ours.

3. Studs

Studs are externally threaded fasteners that typically look like and operate as threaded bars. Most studs are threaded at both ends, allowing both ends to be paired with nuts. However, some studs do have a head at one end, allowing it to be permanently attached to a tapped component through welding, swaging, or bonding.

Studs generally work great for joining two components with internally threaded holes together. However, depending on which stud subtype you’re working with, their function can change. Although there are quite a few stud subtypes, some common ones include:

• Hex stud – A double end stud with threads on both ends and a hex in the middle. It’s often used in wheel hub assemblies.
• Fully threaded stud – A type of stud that is essentially just a piece of threaded bar with no chamfered ends. It can be used for fastening large parts of structures and machinery together with nuts at each end to form a bolt.
• Flange stud – A type of stud that is almost identical to a fully threaded stud bolt, except that it has chamfered ends.
• Tap end stud – A type of stud that has a short length of thread at one end, which is designed to be screwed into a tapped hole. The other end has a shank and longer length of thread at the other end, which is paired with a nut.
• Double end stud – A type of stud with a shank in the middle and threads at each end —Ìęboth of which are paired with nuts. The threads can be different lengths, and even different diameters, on each end.
• Welding stud – A type of stud that has a full-length machine thread and a thin, wide head that makes them easy to weld permanently to a component.

RELATED: Need a specialty bolt, screw, or stud? șÚÁÏÍű can help.

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Three Types of Place Bolts

‘AA’ Place Bolts – the Original

The Place bolt was invented by Charles Place in the mid-1950s. The original design featured a symmetrical six-slot head along with an undercut. Place’s new bolt design offered superior locking action as well as weight reduction over traditional hex head cap screws. The ‘AA’ Place bolt, as it was known, was quickly adapted for automotive and military applications. This design is still in use today, although, as you will see, more effective options are now available.

‘B’ Place Bolts – an Asymmetric Improvement

In the late 1960s, șÚÁÏÍű Company developed and received a patent for a better-performing version of the Place bolt, the ‘B’ Place bolt. This design featured a five-slot asymmetrical head. This new head design had the effect of moving the center of mass away from the center-line of the bolt. This improvement, coupled with the original undercut design, provided superior locking action over the original ‘AA’ design.

‘BH’ Place Bolts – Bigger Head, Better Locking

Developed and patented at the same time as ‘B’ Place bolts, ‘BH’ Place bolts feature the same asymmetric 5 slot head and undercut as their ‘B’ brethren. However, ‘BH’ Place bolts have an oversize head, which allows for even more locking action. In fact, ‘BH’ Place bolts resist loosening up to seven times better than regular hex head cap screws.

RELATED: Need a specialty bolt, screw, or stud? șÚÁÏÍű can help.

How Asymmetric Place Bolts Work

Asymmetric Place bolts derive their locking action from two factors built into the head design: Asymmetric form and elastic diaphragm action.

Asymmetric Head and Center of Mass

The 5 slot head of the ‘B’ and ‘BH’ Place bolts is designed to move the center of mass away from the center line of the bolt.

The slight difference in the amount of material on one side of the head may not seem like much, but it is enough to move the center of mass to the side. Moving the center of mass off the center line helps the bolt to resist turning and loosening over time. ‘BH’ bolts have more material in the head, thus moving the center of mass even farther from the center axis.

Elastic Diaphragm Action

If you tighten a bolt enough, the steel starts to stretch. A bolt tightened with the correct amount of torque will stretch and try to spring back to its original shape. This has the effect of tightening the joint. The slotted head coupled with the undercut of a Place bolt allows this stretching action to lock down the head.

On the left, we have a Place bolt that has been loosely threaded into a fitting but not tightened. The Place bolt on the right has been tightened. As you can see, the tightening of the bolt has caused the steel to stretch. As the bolt tries to pull back to its original form, it creates a diaphragm locking action that prevents the part from rotating and loosening.

How Effective are Place Bolts?

For a demonstration on how effective Place bolts are, we ran a comparison of all three Place bolt styles versus a regular hex head cap screw. The results are shown in the chart below and demonstrate that Place bolts do exactly what they are designed to do: resist loosening due to vibration.

As always, thanks for reading. For more information and a bit more technical detail, check out theÌęarticle we wroteÌęforÌę. For any specific questions, feel free toÌęcontact us.

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