Article: Stainless steel fasteners

BRITISH STAINLESS STEEL ASSOCIATION

Making the Most of Stainless Steel
HOME CONTACT MEMBERS AREA

Select
Select quick
quick link link enter search term

Follow us on Twitter

HOME ABOUT BSSA TECHNICAL HELP FIND A SUPPLIER NEWS TRAINING EVENTS BSSA MEMBERS CONTACT US

Home Technical Help Technical Library Standards, Specifications & Grades BS/BSEN Grades Compositions Properties

TECHNICAL HELP Stainless steel fasteners

About Stainless Steel
FAQ Introduction
Technical Library Stainless steel fasteners are specified to BS EN ISO 3506. Part 1 covers bolts, screws and studs. Part 2
Special Topics covers nuts. These specifications replace BS 6105. The latest edition was issued in 2009.
Technical Enquiries
Chemical composition for austenitic stainless steel fasteners
FEATURED ARTICLES & The chemical compositions of the various fastener grades are shown in Table 1. The approximate equivalent
PUBLICATIONS grades in other systems are shown for reference. The composition ranges are much wider in this standard
Opportunities for Stainless than in the standards for the feedstock product, usually bar.
Steel in Renewable and Low
Carbon Energy Technologies Table 1 Chemical composition for austenitic stainless steel fasteners
BSSA Guide to Stainless Chemical Composition 1 (% maxima unless stated)
Steel Specifications - NEW Grade Notes Alternative names
C Si Mn P S Cr Mo Ni Cu
2010 Edition - NOW
A1 0.12 1 6.5 0.2 0.15/0.35 16-19 0.7 5-10 1.75-2.25 2 3 4 303S31, 303S42, 1.4305
AVAILABLE!
A2 0.1 1 2 0.05 0.03 15-20 -5 8-19 4 6 7 304, 394S17 (BS 3111), 1.4301, 1.4567
Getting the Best out of
A3 0.08 1 2 0.045 0.03 17-19 -5 9-12 1 8 321, 1.4541, 347, 1.4550
Stainless Steel 7 9
A4 0.08 1 2 0.045 0.03 16-18.5 2-3 10-15 4 316, 1.4401, 1.4578
Special Grades of Stainless A5 0.08 1 2 0.045 0.03 16-18.5 2-3 10.5-14 1 8 9 316Ti, 1.4571, 316Cb, 1.4580
Steel - Where to Find Them
0.09- 9
C1 1 1 0.05 0.03 11.5-14 - 1 - 410, 1.4006
BSSA Understanding 0.15
Stainless Steel 0.17-
C3 1 1 0.04 0.03 16-18 - 1.5-2.5 - 431, 1.4057
Duplex Stainless Steels - A 0.25
Simplified Guide 0.08- 0.15- 2 9
C4 1 1.5 0.06 12-14 0.6 1 416, 1.4005
0.15 0.35
Fabricating Duplex Stainless 430, 1.4016, 430Ti, 1.4520 430Cb, 1.4511
Steel F1 0.12 1 1 0.04 0.03 15-18 - 10 1 11 12

Importance of Surface Finish

in the Design of Stainless Notes
Steel
More Than Just Scratching 1. Values are maximum unless otherwise indicated.
the Surface - A Practical 2. Sulphur may be replaced by selenium.
Approach to Surface Finish 3. If the nickel content is below 8 %, the minimum manganese content shall be 5 %.
4. There is no minimum limit to the copper content provided that the nickel content is greater than 8 %.
The Then and Now of
5. Molybdenum may be present at the discretion of the manufacturer. However, if for some applications
Electropolishing
limiting of the molybdenum content is essential, this shall be stated at the time of ordering by the
Structural Sections in purchaser.
Stainless Steel 6. If the chromium content is below 17 %, the minimum nickel content should be 12 %.
Stainless steel fasteners 7. For austenitic stainless steels having a maximum carbon content of 0,03 %, nitrogen may be present
to a maximum of 0,22 %.
European Standards -
8. Shall contain titanium = 5 × C up to 0,8 % maximum for stabilization and be marked appropriately in
Referenced Standards for
accordance with this table, or shall contain niobium (columbium) and/or tantalum = 10 × C up to 1,0
Stainless Steel Products
% maximum for stabilization and be marked appropriately in accordance with this table
European EN Standard 9. At the discretion of the manufacturer the carbon content may be higher where required in order to
Grade Summary obtain the specified mechanical properties at larger diameters, but shall not exceed 0,12 % for
Stainless Steel Grades austenitic steels.
Datasheets 10. Molybdenum may be present at the discretion of the manufacturer.
Selection of stainless steels 11. May contain titanium = 5 × C up to 0,8 % maximum.
for the food processing 12. May contain niobium (columbium) and/or tantalum = 10 × C up to 1 % maximum.

http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=1[7/11/2011 10:10:45 AM]

Article: Stainless steel fasteners

industries
Mechanical properties for stainless steel fasteners
Stainless Steel Pipe
Fabrication Three 'property classes' are assigned to each of the austenitic stainless steel fastener grades. Table 2
Stainless Steel in Indoor shows the 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength and elongation values for each of these property classes.
Swimming Pool Buildings
Table 2 Mechanical properties for austenitic stainless steel bolts, screws and studs
BSSA Stainless Steel
Surface Finishes Pack Tensile 0.2% Proof
Elongation
Steel Steel Property Strength Stress 2
R 1 R 1 min A min
Group Grade Class
m p0.2 mm
min MPa MPa
A1, A2, 50 500 210 0.6d
Austenitic A3, A4, 70 700 450 0.4d
A5
80 800 600 0.3d

Notes

1. The tensile stress is calculated on the stress area

2. To be determined on the actual screw length and not on a prepared test piece.

This latest revision has removed the restrictions on the size of fastener (M24) for which the properties in
table 2 can be guaranteed. However, there is a general clause which says that the standard is only
applicable up to 39 mm diameter. Above that, the standard can still be used provided all parties agree that
the properties can be achieved. The effect of these changes is to increase the maximum diameter on which
the class 70 and 80 properties can be specified without discussion from 24 to 39 mm. This reflects the
conservative nature of the previous 24 mm limit. Indeed, class 70 and 80 properties are available above 39
mm but this must always be discussed with the supplier.

Property class 50 represents the steel in the annealed condition.

The most common and readily available supply condition is property class 70, which represents a 'cold
drawn' for the bar stock from which the fasteners are made.

Property class 80 is based on severely hard cold drawn bar.

Some fasteners, depending on size and grade, can be supplied in an "unofficial" class A100 condition, i.e.
with a minimum tensile strength of 1000 MPa.

All tensile stress values are calculated and reported in terms of the nominal tensile stress area of the thread.

The elongation measurement is determined on the actual bolt or screw length and not on a prepared test
piece. It is expressed in millimetres (mm) of extension and not as percentage elongation, i.e. A = (L 2 - L 1 )
(where L 1 = original length and L 2 = length after fracture)
d = nominal diameter of bolt, screw or stud

Table 3 — Mechanical properties for bolts, screws and studs – Martensitic and ferritic
steel grades

0.2% Hardness
Tensile
Proof
Property Strength Elongation
Steel Steel Stress 2
R 1 1 A min
group grade m R HB HRC HV
class min p0.2 mm
min
MPa
MPa
50 500 250 0.2 d 147/209 155/220
C1 70 700 410 0.2 d 209/314 20/34 220/330
110 3 1100 820 0.2 d - 36/45 350/440
Martensitic
C3 80 800 640 0.2 d 228/323 21/35 240/340
50 500 250 0.2 d 147/209 - 155/220
C4
70 700 410 0.2 d 209/314 20/34 220/330
45 450 250 0.2 d 128/209 - 135/220
Ferritic F14
60 600 410 0.2 d 171/271 - 180/285

1. The tensile stress is calculated on the stress area

2. To be determined on the actual screw length and not on a prepared test piece
3. Hardened and tempered at a minimum tempering temperature of 275 °C
4. Nominal thread diameter d = 24 mm

http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=1[7/11/2011 10:10:45 AM]

Article: Stainless steel fasteners

Releated Links

1. Suppliers of Stainless Steel Fasteners

top

Site Map Terms & Conditions Members Area

Broomgrove, 59 Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield S10 2LE, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)114 267 1260 | Fax: +44 (0)114 266 1252 | Email: enquiry@bssa.org.uk
Copyright © 2007-2010 British Stainless Steel Association
web design sheffield by Llama Digital | Businessmagnet IAP Partner

http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=1[7/11/2011 10:10:45 AM]