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Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/02/2010 6:53 PM

Hi,

I am a Mechanical Engineering student in Singapore and would like to know what's the difference(s) between an ASTM bolt/screw and its' ISO counterpart?

For example, as a nearest comparison, the M50 (mm) x 60(mm) VS 2" x 60(mm) stainless steel bolt.

In ISO, the standard is A4-80 and ASTM A193 GrB8M (AISI 316), the other.

Qn 1) From what I've learned, the ASTM standard specifies one tensile strength and material class in each grade (ie ASTM A193 differs from ASTM A320, although both are AISI 316), and for the ISO, it can be made from materials of different strengths. Is this true? Then isn't the '80' in A4-80 stated that it has a strength of 800MPa only? Do correct me if i'm wrong..

Qn 2) Is there any difference in the physical appearence? For example, for the ISO standard, the thread can be either coarse or fine, while for the ASTM, if not stated, can have different pitch lengths?

Qn 3) What about their chemical compositions? Would they be different, although they're made from the same grade and follow the austenitic microstructure?

I hope u wouldn't mind the long questions, I have researched these two standards and couldn't come up with a conclusive answer..would really really appreciate it if someone could shed some light on me.

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#1

Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/02/2010 8:32 PM

Take a look below and also check the following link, click Here; you will find the formula's needed.

The numbers stamped on the head of the bolt are referred to the grade of the bolt used in certain application with the strength of a bolt. High-strength steel bolts usually have a hexagonal head with an ISO strength rating (called property class) stamped on the head. And the absence of marking/number indicates a lower grade bolt with low strength. The property classes most often used are 5.8, 8.8, and 10.9. The number before the point is the tensile ultimate strength in MPa divided by 100. The number after the point is 10 times the ratio of tensile yield strength to tensile ultimate strength. For example, a property class 5.8 bolt has a nominal (minimum) tensile ultimate strength of 500 MPa, and a tensile yield strength of 0.8 times tensile ultimate strength or 0.8(500) = 400 MPa.

Tensile ultimate strength is the stress at which the bolt fails. Tensile yield strength is the stress at which the bolt will receive a permanent set (an elongation from which it will not recover when the force is removed) of 0.2 % offset strain. When elongating a fastener prior to reaching the yield point, the fastener is said to be operating in the elastic region; whereas elongation beyond the yield point is referred to as operating in the plastic region, since the fastener has suffered permanent plastic deformation.

Mild steel bolts have property class 4.6. High-strength steel bolts have property class 8.8 or above.

The same type of screw or bolt can be made in many different grades of material. For critical high-tensile-strength applications, low-grade bolts may fail, resulting in damage or injury. On SAE-standard bolts, a distinctive pattern of marking is impressed on the heads to allow inspection and validation of the strength of the bolt. However, low-cost counterfeit fasteners may be found with actual strength far less than indicated by the markings. Such inferior fasteners are a danger to life and property when used in aircraft, automobiles, heavy trucks, and similar critical applications.

SAE J429 defines the bolt grades for imperial sized bolts and screws. It defines them by grade, which ranges from 0 to 8, with 8 being the strongest. Higher grades do not exist within the specification.[22][23] SAE grades 5 and 8 are the most common.

Head markings and strengths for imperial hex-head cap screws[24]

Head markingGrade, material, and conditionNominal size range (in)Proof strength (

ksi)

Yield strength, min. (ksi)Tensile strength, min. (ksi)Core hardness (Rockwell)

SAE Grade 0[22][25]

Strength and hardness is not specified

SAE grade 1
ASTM A307[26]
Low carbon steel

14–1-12

3360B70–100

ASTM A307 - Grade B[26]
Low or medium carbon steel

14–4

60 minimum
100 maximum
B69–95

SAE grade 2
Low or medium carbon steel

1434

555774B80–100

[27]

Greater than

34

333660B70–100

[27]

SAE grade 4[28]
Medium carbon steel; cold worked

14–1-12

100115

SAE grade 3[26]
Medium carbon steel; cold worked

14–1

85100B70–100

SAE grade 5
Medium carbon steel; quench and tempered

14–1 (inc.)

8592120C25–34

[27]

1–1-

12

7481105C19–30

[27]

ASTM A449 - Type 1[26]
Medium carbon steel; quench and tempered

1–1-

12 (inc.)

74105C19–30
1-

12–3

5590Brinell 183–235

SAE grade 5.1[29]
Low or medium carbon steel; quench and tempered

No. 6–

12

85120C25–40

SAE grade 5.2[29]
Low carbon martensitic steel; quench and tempered

14–1

85120C26–36

ASTM A449 - Type 2[29]
Low carbon martensitic steel; quench and tempered

C25–34

or

ASTM A325 - Type 1[26]
Medium carbon steel; quench and tempered

12–1 (inc.)

8592

[28]

120C24–35
1–1-

12

7482

[28]

105C19–31

[30]

ASTM A325 - Type 3[26]
Atmospheric corrosion resistant steel; quench and tempered

12–1

8592

[28]

120C24–35
1–1-

12

7482

[28]

105C19–31

ASTM A354 - Grade BC[26]
Medium carbon alloy steel; quench and tempered

14–2-12 (inc.)

105109

[28]

125C26–36
2-

12–4

9599

[28]

115C22–33

SAE grade 7
Medium carbon alloy steel; quench and tempered

14–1-12

105115133

SAE grade 8
Medium carbon alloy steel; quench and tempered

14–1-12

120130150C32–38

[27]

or

ASTM A354 - Grade BD[26]
Medium carbon alloy steel; quench and tempered

14–2-12 (inc.)

120130

[31]

150C33–39

2-

12–4

105115

[31]

140C31–39

SAE grade 8.2[27]
Medium carbon boron martensitic steel; fully kilned, fine grain, quench and tempered

14–1

120150C33–39

ASTM A490 - Type 1[26]
Medium carbon alloy steel; quench and tempered

12–1-12

120130

[28]

150 minimum
170 maximum
C33–38

[30]

ASTM A490 - Type 3[26]
Atmospheric corrosion resistant steel; quench and tempered

18-8 Stainless
Stainless steel with 17–19% chromium and 8–13% nickel

1458 (inc.)

40 minimum
80–90 typical
100–125 typical

58–1 (inc.)

40 minimum
45–70 typical
100 typical
Over 180–90 typical

The international standard for metric screws is defined by ISO 898, specifically ISO 898-1. SAE J1199 and ASTM F568M are two North American metric standards that closely mimic the ISO standard. In case of imperial sizes the grade is dictated by the number of radial shapes plus a value of two. And imperial bolts use integer values to indicate grades but metric bolts use numbers with one decimal. The two North American standards use the same property class markings as defined by ISO 898.[32] The ASTM standard only includes the following property classes from the ISO standard: 4.6, 4.8, 5.8, 8.8, 9.8, 10.9, and 12.9; it also includes two extra property classes: 8.8.3 and 10.9.3.[33] ASTM property classes are to be stamped on the top of screws and it is preferred that the marking is raised.[34]

Head markings and strengths for metric hex-head cap screws[34]

Head markingGrade, material, and conditionNominal size range (mm)Proof strength (MPa)Yield strength, min. (MPa)Tensile strength, min. (MPa)Core hardness (Rockwell)

Class 3.6[35]

1.6–36180190330B52–95

Class 4.6
Low or medium carbon steel

5–100225240400B67–95

Class 4.8
Low or medium carbon steel; fully or partially annealed

1.6–16310340420B71–95

Class 5.8
Low or medium carbon steel; cold worked

5–24380420520B82–95

Class 8.8[24]
Medium carbon steel; quench and tempered

Under 16 (inc.)580640800
17–72600660830C23–34

Class 8.8 low carbon
Low carbon boron steel; quench and tempered

Class 8.8.3[33]
Atmospheric corrosion resistant steel; quench and tempered

ASTM A325M - Type 1[36][37]
Medium carbon steel; quench and tempered

12–36

ASTM A325M - Type 3[36][37]
Atmospheric corrosion resistant steel; quench and tempered

Class 9.8
Medium carbon steel; quench and tempered

1.6–16650720900C27–36

Class 9.8 low carbon
Low carbon boron steel; quench and tempered

Class 10.9
Alloy steel; quench and tempered

5–1008309401040C33–39

Class 10.9 low carbon
Low carbon boron steel; quench and tempered

Class 10.9.3[33]
Atmospheric corrosion resistant steel; quench and tempered

ASTM A490M - Type 1[36][38]
Alloy steel; quench and tempered

12–36

ASTM A490M - Type 3[36][38]
Atmospheric corrosion resistant steel; quench and tempered

Class 12.9
Alloy steel; quench and tempered

1.6–10097011001220C38–44

A2[24]
Stainless steel with 17–19% chromium and 8–13% nickel

Up to 20210 minimum
450 typical
500 minimum
700 typical

ISO 3506-1 A2-50[citation needed]
304 stainless steel-class 50 (annealed)

210500

ISO 3506-1 A2-70[citation needed]
304 stainless steel-class 70 (cold worked)

450700

ISO 3506-1 A2-80[citation needed]
304 stainless steel-class 80

600800

Jhunter

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/02/2010 10:15 PM

OUTSTANDING ANSWER regarding the ISO standard! Great Teaching Post. Regarding ASTM A 193, I have copy of that at work. I'll be happy to try to answer your specifics about that Monday When I am back on the job. milo

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#3
In reply to #1

Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/02/2010 10:50 PM

Nice job. Well done. I'll add my vote to Milo's.

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#4
In reply to #1

Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/03/2010 5:34 AM

It is a real pleasure to see an answer which covers all aspects and does not limit to the indication of a wikipedia address!

Sincere congratulations and I hope that we will have more such participants to rise the level of CR4.

I am sorry that I cannot give more than 1 GA!

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#8
In reply to #4

Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/12/2010 8:53 AM

Yes Nick, I agree that it is much better to cut'n'paste entire Wikipedia articles verbatim than to simply provide a link to the original article

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#5

Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/04/2010 4:13 AM

Thanks a lot, Jhunter! Your answer couldnt have been more helpful!

There's also another trend however, that ive noticed: there seems to be a price difference in the ISO 3506 screws and its ASTM counterparts of the same dimensions. The ASTM screws seems to cost more than the ISO ones, up to a 15% difference.

Why is this so? Is this due to the manufacturing process of the screw (ie the stamping designation on the screw heads)? Or is it because of the slight difference in their strengths?

If so, why is there a significant difference in the strength? Is there a difference in chemical contents between the two different standards or is this due to the tempering process?

Thanks once again!

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#6
In reply to #5

Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/05/2010 12:33 PM

You don't say where you are. ASTM is a North American Standard and you may be looking at North American currency and cost issues vs ISO being more global.

I would certainly expect heat treated fasteners vs non heat treated fasteners to be more expensive, but i do not recall if that is your exact question.

milo

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/10/2010 12:37 AM

I did mentioned that i am an engineering student in Singapore in my first thread. Apparently, we employ both the imperial and the metric grades.

So, conclusively, the ASTM A193GrB8M VS A4-80 is actually exactly the same, except only for the marking and size of their hexagonal heads?

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#9
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Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/12/2010 11:40 AM

Absolutely not .

  • ASTM A193GrB8M (Class 1) has a yield strength of 30,000 psi and a tensile strength of 75,000 psi
  • A4-80 has a yield strength of 87,000 psi and a tensile strength of 117,000 psi

ASTM A193GrB8M (Class 2) gets a bit closer but, it's still not the same as A4-80. Remember: "Close" only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades .

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#10
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Re: Difference between an ASTM and an ISO standard screws

04/12/2010 12:07 PM

Thermonuclear weapons?

milo

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