BOLT/NUT: general knowledge

– Part 2
This short guide is intended to give a very basic introduction to ISO metric nuts and
bolts.

1. Threads:

The two threads most commonly found in plant and machinery are commonly known
as ‘standard’ and ‘fine’ pitch. The pitch of a thread is the distance between two
adjacent threads and is measured in millimeters.

2. Grades of bolt:

Identification markings which indicate their strength.

For example, a grade 12.9 bolt will not be broke until every square millimetre of the
bolt cross section is carrying a load of at least 120 kg. Similarly a grade 8.8 bolt will
not be broke until it is carrying a load of 80kg per square millimetre.
Fine pitch bolts will be typically 10% stronger than coarse pitch bolts because less
metal is cut away to make the thread.
For example, a grade 12.9 bolt will begin to stretch when the load on the bolt
is 90% of the breaking load. Similarly a grade 9.8 bolt will begin to stretch at 80% of
its breaking load.

“WHAT IS PROOF STRENGTH OF A BOLT AND HOW IT IS

DIFFERENT FROM YIELD STRENGTH?
Proof strength, or proof load, is the full size equivalent of a yield test. Yield testing is
typically only performed on machined specimens. In most fastener standards, full size
testing is the preferred method, and the referee method if there is a discrepancy
between the two test results.
Because of the difficulty of getting reliable test results for yield when testing full size
fasteners, the proof load test was developed as an alternative. In a proof load test, a
headed bolt is placed in a testing machine with a nut on the threaded end, and a
wedge under the head. The wedge varies from 4-10 degrees depending on the size and
configuration of fastener, and serves to evaluate the ductility of the bolt. In a machine
specimen test, you test ductility by measuring elongation and reduction of area, but
those are impossible during a full size test, so head deflection is used in its place. Proof
load testing is typically performed at 90-93% of the expected minimum yield strength
and is a simple pass/fail test. The bolt length is measured, and after being subjected to
the published proof load value for 10 seconds, if it has not elongated more than
0.0005″, it is deemed to have passed.”

3. Tightening Torques

All material included in this chart is advisory only, and its use by anyone is voluntary.
4. Clearance Hole for Bolts
5. Material selections

The following chart is designed to aid with the selection of fasteners based on
galvanic action. For a detailed explanation see the corrosion section.
That’s just enough for general knowledge as well as the first glance on mechanical
engineering jobs.