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Designation: A 962/A 962M – 03

Standard Specification for

Common Requirements for Steel Fasteners or Fastener
Materials, or Both, Intended for Use at Any Temperature
from Cryogenic to the Creep Range1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 962/A 962M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers a group of common require- The following documents shall form a part of this specifi-
ments that shall apply to carbon, alloy and stainless steel cation to the extent specified. The latest issue shall apply unless
fasteners or fastener materials, or both, under any of the otherwise specified.
following ASTM Specifications (or under any other ASTM 2.1 ASTM Standards:
Specifications that invoke this specification or portions A 29/A 29M Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon and
thereof): Alloy, Hot-Wrought and Cold-Finished, General Require-
Title of Specifications ASTM Designation ments for2
Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting Materials A 193/A 193M A 193/A 193M Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless
for High-Temperature Service
Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts for Bolts for High A 194/A 194M
Steel Bolting Materials for High-Temperature Service3
Pressure and High-Temperature Service A 194/A 194M Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel
Alloy Steel Bolting Materials for Low-Temperature A 320/A 320M Nuts for Bolts for High-Pressure and High-Temperature
Service
Alloy-Steel Turbine-Type Bolting Material A 437/A 437M Service3
Specially Heat Treated for High-Temperature A 320/A 320M Specification for Alloy Steel Bolting Ma-
Service terials for Low-Temperature Service3
High-Temperature Bolting Materials With Expansion A 453/A 453M
Coefficients Comparable to Austenitic Stainless A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
Steels of Steel Products3
Alloy-Steel Bolting Materials for Special Applications A 540/A 540M A 437/A 437M Specification for Alloy-Steel Turbine-Type
1.2 In case of conflict the requirements of the individual Bolting Material Specially Heat Treated for High-
product specification shall prevail over those of this specifica- Temperature Service3
tion. A 453/A 453M Specification for High-Temperature Bolt-
1.3 Additional requirements may be specified by mutual ing Materials, With Expansion Coefficients Comparable to
agreement between the purchaser and supplier. Austenitic Stainless Steels3
1.4 Values stated in either inch-pound or SI units (metric) A 484/A 484M Specification for General Requirements for
are to be regarded separately. The SI units are shown in Stainless Steel Bars, Billets, and Forgings4
brackets within the text and tables. The values stated in each A 540/A 540M Specification for Alloy-Steel Bolting Ma-
system are not exact equivalents, therefore, each system shall terials for Special Applications3
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the A 574 Specification for Alloy Steel Socket-Head Cap
two systems may result in nonconformance with the specifi- Screws5
cation. Inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M” designa- A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading
tion of the product specification is specified in the order. Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment2
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products3
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
A01.22 on Steel Forgings and Wrought Fittings for Piping Applications and Bolting Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
3
Materials for Piping and Special Purpose Applications. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01.
4
Current edition approved May 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
5
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as A 962/A 962M-01a. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.08.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 962/A 962M – 03
A 788 Specification for Steel Forgings, General Require- 3.1.7 length, fasteners subject to full size testing—that
ments2 portion of the fastener whose body diameter is approximately
E 3 Practice for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens6 the same as the nominal thread size.
E 381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, 3.1.8 lot—unless otherwise specified, a lot shall consist of:
Blooms, and Forgings6
3.1.8.1 bolting material, heat treated in batch type
E 384 Test Method for Microhardness of Materials6
furnaces—all material of the same heat or cast of material,
E 1417 Practice for Liquid Penetrant Examination7
condition, finish, and size subjected to the same heat treatment
E 1444 Practice for Magnetic Particle Examination7
E 1916 Guide for Identification and/or Segregation of in one tempering charge and submitted for inspection at the
Mixed Lots of Metals8 same time.
F 788/F 788M Specification for Surface Discontinuities of 3.1.8.2 bolting material, heat treated in continuous type
Bolts, Screws, and Studs, Inch and Metric Series5 furnaces—all material of the same heat or cast of material,
2.2 ANSI Standards: condition, finish, and size heat treated without interruption in a
B1.1 Screw Threads9 continuous type furnace during an eight hour period.
B1.13M Metric Screw Threads – M Profile9 3.1.8.3 bolting material, non heat treated (strain
B1.2 Gages and Gaging for Unified Screw Threads9 hardened)—all material of the same heat or cast of material,
B1.3M Screw Thread Gaging Systems for Dimensional condition, reduction (cold work), finish and size.
Acceptability of Metric Screw Threads9 3.1.8.4 fasteners, machined from bolting material—all fas-
B18.2.1 Square and Hex Bolts and Screws9 teners machined from the same lot of material defined as
B18.3 Hexagon Socket and Spline Socket Screws9 outlined in either 3.1.8.1 or 3.1.8.2, above without any subse-
2.3 Other Documents: quent heat treatment or hot or cold forming.
ASNT Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A10
3.1.8.5 fasteners, heat treated in batch type furnaces—all
3. Terminology items produced by any technique (forming, machining, etc.)
from the same heat or cast of material, of the same prior
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: condition, the same size, and subjected to the same heat
3.1.1 bar—a solid rolled or forged section that is long in
treatment in one tempering charge.
relationship to its cross-sectional dimensions with a relatively
constant cross section throughout its length. See Specification 3.1.8.6 fasteners, heat treated in continuous type furnaces—
A 29/A 29M for definitions relating to the production of hot all items produced by any technique (forming, machining, etc.)
wrought and cold finished bars. from the same heat or cast of material, of the same prior
3.1.2 bolting material—rolled or forged bars or blanks, condition, of the same size, subjected to the same heat
wire, rod, threaded bar, rotary pierced or extruded seamless treatment in a four hour period and in one tempering charge.
tubes, bored bars, or forged hollows from forged or rolled bar 3.1.8.7 fasteners, non heat treated (strain hardened)—all
segments to be manufactured into bolts, screws, studs, washers, fasteners of the same heat or cast of material, condition,
and nuts. reduction (cold work), finish and size.
3.1.3 certifying organization—the company or association 3.1.8.8 strain hardened material—austenitic stainless steel
responsible for the conformance and marking of the product to material which has been subjected to cold working sufficient to
the specification requirements. cause a significant increase in strength.
3.1.4 class—a term used to differentiate between different
heat treatment conditions or strength levels, or both, often 4. Ordering Information
within the same grade but sometimes within the same family of
materials. May also apply to work hardened condition or 4.1 It is the purchaser’s responsibility to specify in the
strength level, or both. purchase order all information necessary to purchase the
3.1.5 grade—an alloy described individually and identified needed material. Examples of such information include, but are
by its own designation in a table of chemical requirements not limited, to the following:
within any specification. 4.1.1 Quantity and size,
3.1.6 killed steel—steel deoxidized, by addition of strong 4.1.2 Product specification number with grade, class, type,
deoxidizing agents or by vacuum treatment, to reduce the as applicable, and including the product specification year date,
oxygen content to such a level that no reaction occurs between
4.1.3 Any additional information required by the individual
carbon and oxygen during solidification.
product specification,
4.1.4 Supplementary requirements,
4.1.5 Additional requirements (see 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1, 7.4,
6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. 12.1, 12.3.1, 12.3.3, 12.5.2, 12.6, 14.8, and 18.1).
7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
8
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06. 4.1.6 Additional ordering options provided in the individual
9
Available from American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd St., 4th product specification, and
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
10
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing, P.O. Box 28518, 4.1.7 Dimensions (diameter, length of point, overall length,
1711 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 42228-0518 finish, shape, threads, etc.).

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 A 962/A 962M – 03
5. Melting Process taken from midway between center and surface of solid parts,
5.1 Unless otherwise specified in the individual product midway between inner and outer surfaces of hollow parts,
specification, the steel shall be fully killed. Use of the basic midway between center and surface of full-size prolongations
oxygen process shall be limited to grades containing less than or from broken mechanical test specimens. The chemical
6 % chromium. composition thus determined shall conform to the limits of the
5.2 If a specific type of melting is required by the purchaser, product specification, within the permissible tolerances found
it shall be stated on the purchase order. in Tables 5 and 6 of Specification A 29/A 29M and Table 1 of
5.3 The primary melting may incorporate separate degas- Specification A 484/A 484M as appropriate for the grade being
sing or refining and may be followed by secondary melting supplied. When multiple samples are taken from the same lot
such as electroslag remelting or vacuum remelting. If second- for product analysis individual elements shall not vary both
ary melting is employed, the heat shall be defined as all of the above and below the specified range.
ingot remelted from a single primary heat. 7.4 For continuous cast materials the requirements of 8.2 or
5.4 Steel may be cast in ingots or may be continuously cast. 8.3, as appropriate, of Specification A 788 shall be met.
When steel of different grades is continuously cast identifica- 7.5 Steels with intentional additions of lead, bismuth, or
tion of the resultant transition material is required. The steel tellurium shall not be supplied or used. Steels with intentional
producer shall remove the transition material by an established additions of selenium may only be supplied or used when
procedure that positively separates the grades. Should the specifically called out in the product specification.
purchaser deem it necessary to have the transition zone of two 7.6 The starting material shall not contain any unspecified
heats of the same grade which are continuously cast discarded, elements, other than nitrogen in austenitic stainless steels, for
the purchaser shall invoke Supplementary Requirement S53. the ordered grade(s) to the extent that it then conforms to the
5.5 Quality—The steel producer quality control procedures requirements of another grade for which that element is a
shall provide sufficient testing of carbon and alloy steels in specified element having a required minimum content.
accordance with Method E 381 or other suitable method as
agreed upon between the purchaser and the producer to assure 8. Mechanical Properties
the internal quality of the product.
5.5.1 Ingot Cast Product—Visual examination of transverse 8.1 Method of Mechanical Tests—All tests shall be con-
sections shall show no imperfections worse than the macro- ducted in accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A 370
graphs of Method E 381 S2-R2-C3 or equivalent as agreed unless otherwise specified.
upon. 8.2 For the purpose of determining conformance to the
5.5.2 Strand Cast Product—Visual examination of traverse product specification requirements, specimens shall be ob-
sections in accordance with Method E 381 shall reveal none of tained from the production material, or, in the case of forgings,
the conditions shown in macrographs 1-5, 7,12-18 of Plate III. from separately forged test blanks prepared from the stock used
Conditions 6, 8-11 shall not be present to a degree greater than to make the finished product. Heat treatment shall be com-
the macrographs of Plates I and II, S2-R2-C3. pleted prior to removal of material for mechanical testing.
8.3 If separately forged test blanks are used, they shall be of
6. Materials and Manufacture the same heat of steel, be subjected to substantially the same
6.1 Bars shall be produced in accordance with Specifica- reduction and working as the production forging they repre-
tions A 29/A 29M or A 484/A 484M as applicable. Finish (hot sent, be heat treated in the same furnace charge and under the
or cold, ground, rough turned, drawn, etc.) shall be at the same conditions as the production forging, and be of the same
option of the manufacturer unless otherwise specified. nominal thickness as the maximum heat treated thickness of
6.2 Fasteners shall be produced in accordance with the the production forging.
product specification. 8.4 Bars—Tension and impact tests representing bar stock
7. Chemical Composition shall be taken in accordance with the requirements of Annex
A1 of Test Methods and Definitions A 370. Impact tests are not
7.1 Chemical Analysis—Heat or product chemical analysis
required on bars 1⁄2 in. and under in diameter.
shall be in accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and
Terminology A 751. 8.5 Fasteners, Machined from Heat Treated Bar—
7.2 Heat Analysis—An analysis of each heat of steel shall Mechanical properties of fasteners machined from heat treated
be made by the steel manufacturer to determine the percentages bar shall be represented by the tests run on the bar in
of those elements specified in the individual product specifi- accordance with 8.4.
cation. If secondary melting processes are employed, the heat 8.6 Fasteners, All Classes—Produced by other methods—
analysis shall be obtained from one remelted ingot or the When fasteners have been produced by forming, when they
product of one remelted ingot of each primary melt. The have been subjected to heat treatment, or when the nominal
chemical analysis thus determined shall conform to the require- thread size falls into a different diameter range than that of the
ments of the individual product specification. Product analysis starting bar as shown in the applicable specifications, then tests
(check analysis) tolerances shall not be applied to heat analysis shall be run on material taken from those fasteners.
requirements. 8.6.1 Tension test specimens taken from finished fasteners
7.3 Product Analysis—When performed, by manufacturer, shall be machined to the form and dimensions and from the
purchaser, end user, and so forth, samples for analysis shall be positions shown in Annex A3 of Test Methods and Definitions

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 A 962/A 962M – 03
A 370. Impact tests are not required on material from exter- 12.3.1 Hex Bolts—Unless otherwise specified in the pur-
nally threaded fasteners when the thread diameter is 1⁄2 in. and chase order heads shall be in accordance with the dimensions
under. of ANSI B18.2.1 or B18.2.3.6M and the Heavy Hex screw
series, should be used, except the maximum body diameter and
9. Hardness Requirements radius of fillets may be the same as for the heavy hex bolt
9.1 The material shall conform to the hardness requirements series. The body diameter and head fillet radius for sizes of
prescribed in the product specification. Hardness testing shall heavy hex cap screws and bolts that are not shown in their
be performed in accordance with Test Methods and Definitions respective tables in the ANSI specifications may be that shown
A 370. in the corresponding hex cap screw and bolt tables respec-
9.2 Tensile tests prevail over hardness tests in the event a tively.
conflict exists relative to minimum strength unless otherwise 12.3.2 Socket Heads—Unless otherwise specified socket
specified in the product specification. head fasteners shall be in accordance with ANSI B18.3 or the
applicable metric series.
10. Tensile Requirements 12.3.3 Studs and Stud Bolts—The dimensions and toler-
10.1 Bars and Specimens Machined From Fasteners—The ances of studs and stud bolts shall be as specified by the
material shall conform to the tensile property requirements purchaser or the product specification.
prescribed in the product specification. 12.4 External Threads—Threads shall either be formed
10.1.1 When the dimensions of the material to be tested will after heat treatment or heat treatment shall be performed in
permit, the tension test specimens shall be machined to the atmosphere control furnaces.
form and dimensions of the standard 2–in. [50–mm] gage 12.4.1 Thread Form—Unless otherwise specified external
length tension test specimen described in Test Methods and threads shall be in accordance with ANSI B1.1, Class 2A fit, or
Definitions A 370. ANSI B1.13M, Class 6G fit.
10.1.2 When the dimensions of the material to be tested do 12.4.2 Inch Series—Sizes 1 in. and smaller in diameter shall
not permit full size samples, small size specimens meeting the be coarse thread series, and those 11⁄8 in. and larger in diameter
requirements of Test Methods and Definitions A 370 shall be shall be eight pitch thread series, unless otherwise specified.
used. 12.5 Nuts—Unless otherwise specified nuts shall be hex-
10.2 Proof Load—Nuts shall be capable of withstanding the agonal in shape and the American National Standard Heavy
proof loads specified in the product specification. Hex Series shall be used. In addition nuts shall either be double
chamfered or have a machined or forged washer face, at the
11. Impact Requirements option of the manufacturer, and shall conform to the angularity
11.1 The material shall conform to the impact requirements requirements of the applicable ANSI specification.
prescribed in the product specification. 12.5.1 Thread—Unless otherwise specified threads in nuts
11.2 Sampling for impact testing shall conform to the shall be in accordance with ANSI B1.1 Class 2B fit or B1.13M
product specification. Class 6H fit, and shall be gaged in accordance with ANSI B1.2
11.3 The impact test specimen shall have the form and or B1.3M
dimensions shown in Fig. 10 of Test Methods and Definitions 12.5.2 Inch Series—Unless otherwise specified, nuts up to
A 370 for the Charpy V-notch specimen, Type A. The longi- and including 1 in. in diameter shall be UNC Series Class 2B
tudinal axis of the specimen shall be parallel to the direction of fit and nuts over 1 in. nominal size shall be 8 UN Series Class
rolling or, in the case of forgings, to the longest axis of the 2B fit.
component the test bar represents. The notch shall be located 12.6 If a scale-free bright finish is required, this shall be
on the test specimen surface which most closely approaches a specified on the purchase order.
radial direction. The base of the notch shall be as nearly as
practicable perpendicular to the longest axis of the component. 13. Decarburization
13.1 Depth—The depth of decarburization (total + partial)
12. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance shall be determined after completion of all heat treatment and
12.1 The parts shall conform to the dimensions, tolerances shall not exceed the limits shown in Specification A 574,
and finish as specified on the purchaser’s order or in the regardless of material being tested.
individual product specification. 13.2 Test Method—The depth of decarburization shall pref-
12.2 Bars—Bars shall meet the dimensional requirements erably be determined by metallographic etching. The edge of
of Specifications A 29/A 29M or A 484/A 484M as applicable. the specimen shall be suitably prepared to preserve the original
12.3 Bolts, Screws, Studs, and Stud Bolts—Fastener points heat treated surface. The sample shall be polished, etched with
shall be flat and chamfered or rounded at the option of the a suitable solution (2 to 5 % Nital if carbon or alloy steel,
manufacturer. The length of the point on studs and stud bolts Vilella’s reagent if stainless steel, etc.), and examined under a
shall be not less than one nor more than two complete threads microscope at 100x using an eyepiece graduated in 0.001–in.
as measured from the extreme end parallel to the axis. Length [0.025–mm] increments. The measured depth of any light
of studs and stud bolts shall be measured from first thread to etched band shall be taken as the decarburization depth.
first thread. Bolts, studs, and bolting material shall be capable 13.2.1 Microhardness Testing—When the metallographic
of passing inspection in accordance with Specification F 788/ etch method of 13.2 renders results that are inconclusive, then
F 788M. the microhardness traverse method of Specification A 574 shall

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 A 962/A 962M – 03
be employed. The depth of decarburization is denoted by that is being produced and furnished in accordance with this
radial depth where the hardness decrease is more than the specification and the applicable product specification. Site
equivalent of three points HRA, when compared to the average inspection by the purchaser shall not interfere unnecessarily
microhardness of the base material at a depth equal to or less with the supplier’s operations.
than 25 % of the diameter or thickness. 16.2 Personnel performing the nondestructive examination
13.3 Alternate—Depth of decarburization may be deter- shall be qualified and certified in accordance with a written
mined on the threads of components rather than on the starting procedure conforming to ASNT Recommended Practice No.
material. SNT-TC-1A (1988 or later) or another national standard that is
acceptable to both the purchaser and the supplier.
14. Number of Tests
14.1 Chemical Analysis—One test per heat. 17. Rejection and Rehearing
14.2 Tension Tests, Bar, Rod, or Wire or Fasteners, or Both, 17.1 Samples representing material rejected by the pur-
Machined from Heat Treated Bar, Rod or Wire—One test per chaser shall be preserved until disposition of the claim has been
lot (See 3.1.6). agreed to between the supplier and the purchaser.
14.3 Tension Tests, Fasteners Produced as Defined in 8.6—
The number of machined specimens or full size fasteners tested 18. Certification
shall be as follows:
18.1 Certification shall include a statement that the material
Lot Size (pc) Sample Size
or parts, or both, were manufactured, sampled, tested, and
50 and less 2
51 to 500 3
inspected in accordance with the requirements of the individual
501 to 35 000 5 product specification, including the specification number and
Over 35 000 8 year date of issue. In addition, the certification shall include the
14.4 Decarburization Test, Carbon and Alloy Steel, Fasten- results of all tests required by this specification, the product
ers Produced as Defined in 8.6 and Studs Machined from Cold specification, and the purchase order. The supplier shall pro-
or Hot Rolled and Heat Treated Bar Whose Diameter Prior to vide additional specific information as required by the product
Machining Threads is Within 0.06 in. [1.5 mm] in Diameter of specification or purchase order.
the Maximum Thread Diameter—One test per lot (see 3.1.6). 18.2 A certificate printed from or used in electronic form
14.5 Hardness Tests: from an electronic data interchange (EDI) transmission shall be
14.5.1 Hardness Tests, Bar, Rod, or Wire—One test per lot. regarded as having the same validity as a counterpart printed in
14.5.2 Hardness Tests, Fasteners—The number of fasteners the certifier’s facility. The content of the EDI transmitted
hardness tested per lot, regardless of production technique, document shall also conform to any existing EDI agreement
shall be as shown in 14.3. between the purchaser and the supplier.
14.6 Macroetch, Carbon and Alloy Steels Only—One test 18.3 Notwithstanding the absence of a signature, the orga-
per lot. nization submitting either the EDI transmission or paper copies
14.7 Impact Tests—Three impact test specimens shall be of certificates of test is responsible for the content of the report.
made for each lot when impact testing is required by the
product specification. 19. Product Marking
14.8 Other Tests—The number of tests shall be as specified 19.1 Bars shall be marked in accordance with Specifications
by the purchaser or the individual product specification. A 29/A 29M or A 484/A 484M as applicable.
19.2 Grade and manufacturer’s identification symbols shall
15. Retests and Rework be applied to one end of studs 3⁄8 in. [10 mm] in diameter and
15.1 If the results of any tension test do not conform to the larger and to the heads of bolts and screws 1⁄4 in [6 mm] in
requirements specified in the product specification, retests are diameter and larger. If the available area is inadequate, the
permitted as outlined in Test Methods and Definitions A 370. If grade symbol may be marked on one end and the manufactur-
the results of a tension test are less than specified because a er’s identification symbol marked on the other end of studs.
flaw becomes evident in the test specimen during testing, a 19.3 Grade and manufacturer’s identification symbols shall
retest shall be allowed provided that the flaw is not attributable be applied to all nuts regardless of size.
to ruptures, cracks, or flakes in the steel. Retesting shall be 19.4 Hollow forgings shall be marked with the heat number
performed on twice the number of samples originally specified. or heat symbol and grade.
15.2 When the impact test acceptance requirements of the 19.5 When product is altered in a manner which changes
specification are not met, one retest of three additional speci- specified requirements, it is the responsibility of the current
mens from the same test location may be performed. Each certifying organization to ensure that the product marking is
individual test value of the retested specimens shall be equal to appropriately revised. This includes the removal of the name or
or greater than the specified minimum average value. symbol of the previous certifying organization.
15.3 Repair by welding is prohibited. 19.6 Dual Marking—Product that meets all requirements of
more than one grade within or between product specifications
16. Inspection may be marked with both grade markings. The dual marking
16.1 The supplier shall afford the purchaser’s inspector all shall consist of the complete marking requirement for each
reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that the material grade, as required by the product specification, separated by a

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 A 962/A 962M – 03
slash. For example, for Grade A 193 B7 and A 320 L7, the dual 21. Keywords
marking would be B7/L7.
21.1 austenitic stainless steel; bolts, steel; fasteners, steel;
20. Packaging, Package Marking and Loading for nuts, steel; pressure vessel service; steel bars, alloy; steel bars,
Shipment carbon; steel bars, stainless; steel bolting materials; stainless
20.1 Packaging, marking, and loading for shipment shall be steel bolting materials; temperature service applications, high;
in accordance with Practices A 700. temperature service applications, low; turbine materials

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

One or more of the following supplementary requirements shall be applied only when specified by
the purchaser in the inquiry, contract, or order, in which event the specified tests shall be made before
shipment of the product.

S50. Product Marking S54.2.4 Folds at the junction of the head and the shank are
S50.1 Grade and manufacturer’s identification symbols not permitted.
shall be applied to one end of studs and to the heads of bolts of S54.3 Decarburization
all sizes. If the available area is inadequate, the grade symbol S54.3.1 Decarburization tests shall be conducted as follows,
may be marked on one end and the manufacturer’s identifica- with the same number of tests as the tension test:
tion symbol marked on the other end. S54.3.2 Section the thread area longitudinally through the
axis, and mount and polish the cut face in accordance with
S51. Stress Relieving Methods E 3. Use either optical or microhardness measure-
ments for decarburization. In case of dispute, the microhard-
S51.1 A stress relieving operation shall follow straightening
ness method shall be used.
after heat treatment. The minimum stress relieving temperature
S54.3.3 For optical measurement, etch the metallographic
shall be 100° F [55° C] below the tempering temperature. Tests
section in 4 % Nital. Examine the surface of the etched sample
for mechanical properties shall be performed after stress
under a microscope at 100X using a measuring eyepiece
relieving.
graduated in 0.001 in. (0.03 mm) increments, or on a ground
glass screen or photomicrograph. There shall be no gross
S52. Heat Analysis
decarburization (clearly defined ferrite grains), and the depth of
S52.1 An analysis of each remelt ingot shall be made by the partial decarburization (light etching zone) anywhere below the
steel manufacturer to determine the percentages of those pitch line shall be less than 5 % of the nominal thread height.
elements specified in the individual product specification. The S54.3.4 For microhardness measurement, make hardness
chemical analysis thus determined shall conform to the require- tests in accordance with Test Method E 384 on unetched
ments of the individual product specification. metallographic sections using either a DPH 136° indenter and
a 200-gf load, or a Knoop indenter and a 200-gf load. Take
S53. Sequential or Continuous Strand Casting measurements at the minor diameter on the thread crest
S53.1 When multiple heats of the same chemical compo- bisector to determine the base metal hardness. On the same or
sition range are sequentially strand cast, the heats shall be an adjacent thread, take measurements within 0.003 in. (0.08
separated by an established procedure such that intermix mm) of the flank surface at the pitch line, and 0.003 in. (0.08
material shall not be supplied. mm) below the thread root. These two hardness readings shall
be equal to or greater than the base metal hardness minus 30
S54. Bolts, Studs and Bolting Material for Dynamic DPH or KHN.
Service
S55. Magnetic Particle Examination
S54.1 Bolts, studs and bolting material for dynamic service
S55.1 The wet fluorescent magnetic particle examination
shall be examined for surface discontinuities and decarburiza-
method shall be applied to 100 % of the lot in accordance with
tion.
Practice E 1444. Acceptance criteria shall be in accordance
S54.2 Surface Discontinuities
with S57.
S54.2.1 The surface discontinuities shall conform to Speci-
fication F 788/F 788M and the additional limitations in S56. Liquid Penetrant Examination
S54.2.2. S56.1 The fluorescent liquid penetrant examination method
S54.2.2 Thread lap inspection shall be performed in accor- shall be applied to 100 % of the lot in accordance with Practice
dance with F 788/F 788M Supplementary Requirement S50. E 1417. Acceptance criteria shall be in accordance with S57.
The threads shall have no laps at the root, or on the flanks
initiating or extending below the pitch line. S57. Acceptance Criteria
S54.2.3 Quench cracks of any depth, any length, or in any S57.1 Only indications, which have a dimension greater
location are not permitted. than 1⁄16 in., shall be considered relevant. A linear indication is

6
 A 962/A 962M – 03
one having a length greater than three times the width. A material grade prior to shipment of the bolting. This examina-
rounded indication is one of circular or elliptical shape with a tion is a method to assure that no material grade mix-up has
length equal to or less than three times the width. All surfaces happened during manufacturing and marking of bolting.
examined shall be free of the following: S58.2 Bolting shall receive a Positive Material Identifica-
S57.1.1 Relevant linear indications; tion examination by Guide E 1916.
S57.1.2 Relevant rounded indications greater than 3⁄16 in.;
S58.3 The quantity examined shall be 100 % of the bolting.
and,
S57.1.3 Four or more relevant rounded indications in a line S58.4 All bolting that are not of the correct material grade
separated by 1⁄16 in. or less, edge to edge. shall be rejected.
S58.5 The method of bolting marking after examination
S58. Positive Material Identification Examination
shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser.
S58.1 Bolting shall receive Positive Material Identification
to ensure that the purchaser is receiving bolting of the correct

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW MATERIALS

A1.1 New materials may be proposed for inclusion in A1.1.3 The application shall be accompanied by test data as
specifications referencing this Specification of General Re- required by the applicable specification. Test data from a
quirements subject to the following conditions: minimum of three test lots, as defined by the specification, each
A1.1.1 Application for the addition of a new grade to a from a different heat, shall be furnished.
specification shall be made to the chairman of the subcommit- A1.1.4 The application shall provide recommendations for
tee which has jurisdiction over that specification. all requirements appearing in the applicable specification.
A1.1.2 The application shall be accompanied by a statement A1.1.5 The application shall state whether the new grade is
from at least one user indicating that there is a need for the new covered by patent.
grade to be included in the applicable specification.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of changes that may impact the use of this standard (approved May
10, 2003).

(1) Revised macroetch requirements in 5.5.1, and added 5.5.2.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

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