In case of imperial sizes the grade is dictated by the number of radial shapes plus a value of two.
SAE J1199 and ASTM F568M are two North American metric standards that closely mimic the ISO standard. For specific questions on a standard, contact your project engineer or the Birmingham Fastener sales team, who are always available to answer specific questions about the products we sell. The international standard for metric screws is defined by ISO 898, specifically ISO 898-1.
Standards are available for purchase in print or electronically. Finding an ASTM StandardĪSTM International provides a comprehensive search engine on their website for over 12,000 standards. Referring to an ASTM standard is a great way for manufacturers and customers alike to determine the right fastener for a particular job, as well recognize the advantages and limitations of a standard. These details can also include fastener limitations, reference tables, supplementary requirements, and notes on packaging. This includes materials, mechanical properties, chemical compositions, dimensions, appearances, and testing methods. It then has a bibliography of referenced documents within the standard and may also include a list of any terminology used that may be unfamiliar.įrom there, in regards to fasteners, you will find details on everything needed to manufacture the fastener. Each standard begins with the scope, which informs the reader the purpose and limitations of the standard. Reading an ASTM StandardĪSTM standards are written in a specific, organized manner. The last two numbers signify the year the standard was updated. When reading an ASTM standard, you will usually see two numbers after the standard, like A449-14. A325 and A490 are grades that fall under that standard, so you’d call a bolt F3125 Grade A325. For example, F3125 is the standard for high strength bolts. G - Corrosion, deterioration, weathering, durability, and degradation of materials and productsĪfter the letter, there is a reference number given to the standard. The first letter is the classification of the standard:ī - Nonferrous metals and products (coatings)Ĭ - Cementitious, ceramic, concrete, and masonry materialsį - end-use materials and products (bolts) The ASTM designation is a mandatory title of each standard (example: F3125 or A325). For our purposes, we’ll focus on the standards that relate to fasteners. There are over 12,000 ASTM standards covering a variety of fields and industries. Let’s go over the standards, their designations, what they contain, and how you can find the right standard. For those unfamiliar, the ASTM standards may seem unapproachable, but the standards are actually accessible once you understand their organization. Our sales team will often refer our customers to the ASTM standards, and our team uses and adheres to them each day. In other blogs, we discuss the ASTM International, what it is, and how we use them in the fastener industry. T-Head Bolt and Mechanical Joint Gasket Packs.