Abstract of

ASTM A490M
HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL BOLTS, CLASSES 10.9 AND STRUCTURAL
10.9.3, FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL JOINTS [METRIC] BOLTING
1993

IFI NOTES:

1. ASTM A490M is a specification developed through the procedures of

ASTM. A490M;s under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F·16 on
Fasteners.

2. This abstract presents the chemical and mechanical requirements of

various types of alloy steel and low carbon martensite steel bolts com-
monly known as "A490 high-strength structural bolts". It omits those
requirements dealing with quality assurance and inspection terminol-
ogy, and a listing of applicable documents. For the omitted informa-
tion, refer to the complete specification.

3. The paragraph numbers throughout this abstract are those of A490M-

93.

4. For a discussion of high-strength structural bolting, refer to page F-l.

5. ASTM A490M-93 is abstracted with permission from the Annual Book

I
of ASTM Standards, copyright American Society for Testing and Mate-
rials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken. PA 19428. U.S.A.

1. Scope supplied in nominal thread diameters M16 to

M24, inclusive.
1.1 This specification covers the chemical
and mechanical requirements of quenched and 1.1.3 Type 3 - Bolts in nominal thread diam-
tempered steel bolts, in nominal thread diam- eters M16 to M36, inclusive, having atmospheric
eters M16 to M36, inclusive. These bolts are corrosion resistance and weathering character-
intended for use in structural joints that are com- istics comparable to that of the steels covered
parable to those made under the Specification in ASTM Specifications A588!A58BM , A242!
for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 A242M , and A709!A709M . The atmospheric
Bolts issued by the Research Council on Struc- corrosion resistance of these steels is substan-
tural Connections of the Engineering Founda- tially better than that of carbon steel with or with-
tion. The various types of bolts covered by this out copper addition. See 6.3. When properly
specification are: exposed to the atmosphere, these steels can
be used bare (uncoated) for many applications.
1.1 .1 Type 1 - Bolts made of alloy steel, sup·
plied in nominal thread diameters M16 to M36, 1.2 Unless otherwise specified, all nuts used
inclusive. on these bolts shall conform to the requirements
of Specification ASTM A563M , page 8-{;8. shall
1.1.2 Type 2 - Bolts made from what is gen- be heavy hex, and shall be of the class and sur-
erally described as low-carbon martensite steel, face finish for each type of bolt as follows:

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 Abstract of
STRUCTURAL HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL BOLTS, CLASSES 10.9 AND ASTMA490M
BOLTING 10.9.3, FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL JOINTS [METRIC] 1993

Bolt Type and Finish Nut Class and Finish 4.1.3 Dimensions, including nominal bolt di-
1 and 2, plain (noncoaled) 10S, 1053, plain ameter, thread pitch, and length. For bolts of
3, plain 1053, plain dimensional requirements other than heavy hex
structural bolts (see 1.6) it is normally neces-
1.3 Unless otherwise specified, all washers sary to specify grip length,
used on these bolts shall conform to the requi re-
ments of Specification ASTM F436M page J- 4.1.4 Type of bolt (that is, Type 1, 2 or 3).
42, and shall be of a surface finish for each type
of bolt as follows: 4.1.4.1 When the bolt type is not specified,
Type 1, 2, or 3 bolts may be supplied by the
Bolt Type and Finish Washer Finish manufacturer.
1 and 2, plain (unco8ted) plain (uncoaled)
4.1.4.2 When atmospheric corrosion resistance
3, plain weathering steel, plain
and weathering characteristics are required,
1.4 This specification provides that heavy Type 3 bolts should be specified by the pur·
hex structural bolts and heavy hex nuts shall be chaser.
furni shed unless other dimensional require-
ments are stipulated in the purchase inquiry and 4.1.5 ASTM designation and date of issue,
order.
4.1.6 Whether proof load tests are required,

I NOTE 1 - For quenched and tempered steel bolts, studs,

and other elCtemally threaded fasteners with nominal thread
diameters larger than M36, but with similar mechanical
properties, reler to Class 10.9 01 Specification F568M.

NOTE 2 - This specification is the metric companion of

Specification A4oo.
4.1.7

4.1.8
Specify if test reports are required , and

Any special requirements.

NOTE 3 - Two examples of ordering descriptions follow:
(1) 1,000 pieces, heavy hex structural bolts, each with
two hardened washers, ASTM F436M, and one heavy hex
nut, ASTM A563M Class 10S, M24 x 3 x 100, ASTM
2. Referenced Documents A400M dated _ _ . (2) 1,000 pieces, heavy hex struc-
tural bolts, no nuts or washers, M20 x 2.5 x 60, Type 1,
(Refer to the complete specification.) ASTM A490M dated

3. Terminology 5. Materials and Manufacture

(Refer to the complete specification.) 5.1 Steel for bolts, and the heading, thread·
ing, and heat treatment of bolts shall be in ac-
4. Ordering Information cordance with requirem ents specified for
Classes 10.9 and 10.9.3 bolts in Specification
4.1 Orders for products under this specifi- ASTM F568M, page 6-56.
cation shall include the following:
6. Chemical Composition
4.1.1 Quantity (number of pieces of bolts and
accessories), 6.1 Type 1 bolts shall conform to the chemi-
cal composition requirements specified for al-
4.1.2 Name of products, including accessories loy steel Class 10.9 bolts in Specification ASTM
such as nuts and washers when desired, F568M, page 8-56. The steel shall contain

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 Abstract of
ASTMA490M
HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL BOLTS, CLASSES 10.9 AND STRUCTURAL
10.9.3, FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL JOINTS [METRIC] BOLTING
1993

sufficient alloying elements to qualify it as an of controversy over low or high hardness read-
alloy steel. ings.
NOTE 4 - Steel is considered 10 be alloy, by the Ameri-
can Iron and Steel Institute, when the maximum of the 8. Dimensions
range given for the content of aUoying elements exceeds
one or more of the following limits: manganese, 1.65%; 8.1 Unless otherwise specified, bolts shall
silicon, 0.60%; copper, 0.60%; or in which a definite range conform to the dimensions for heavy hex struc-
or a definite minimum quantity of any of the following ele- tural bolts specified in ANSI B1B.2.3.7M. page
ments is specified or required within the limits of the rec-
F-9.
ognized field of constructional alloy steels: aluminum,
chromium up to 3.99%, cobalt, columbium, molybdenum,
nickel , titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium , or any 8.2 Threads shall be the Metric Coarse
other alloying elements added to obtain a desired alloying thread series as specified in ASME B1.13M,
effect. page A-20 , and shall have Class 6g tolerances.
6.2 Type 2 bolts shall conform to the chemi-
cal composition requirements specified for low- 9. Workmanship
carbon martensite steel Class 10.9 bolts in 9.1 Surface discontinuity limits shall be in ac-
Specification ASTM F568M. cordance with Specification ASTM F7881F788M,
page 8-1t5.

I'
6.3 Type 3 bolts shall conform to the chemi-
cal composition requirements specified for Class
10. Quality Assurance of Mechanical
10.9.3 bolts in Specification ASTM F568M. See
ASTM Guide G101 for methods of estimating Requirements
the atmospheric corrosion resistance of low al- (Refer to the complete specification.)
loy steels.

6.4 Product analyses may be made by the 11. Test Methods

purchaser from finished material representing
each lot of bolts. The chemical composition thus
11.1 Tests shall be conducted in accordance -.
with Test Methods ASTM F606M . page 8-130.
determined shall conform to the requirements
given in Tables 1 or 2 of Specification ASTM 12. Magnetic Particle and Visual
F568M , as applicable. Inspection for Surface Discontinuities

7. Mechanical Requirements 13. Inspection

7.1 Bolts shall meet the mechanical require-
14. Certification
ments specified for Classes 10.9 and 10.9.3
bolts in Specification ASTM F568M. In addi- (Refer to the complete specification for
tion , bolts shall not have a tensile strength Sections 12. 13 and 14.)
greater than 1200 MPa.
NOTE 5 - For information purposes only, the mechani· 15. Responsibility
cal properties of bolts are given in Appendix X1 .
15.1 The party responsible for the fastener
7.2 For bolts on which hardness and tension shall be the organization that supplies the fas-
tests are performed, acceptance based on ten- tener to the purchaser and certifies that the fas-
sile requirements shall take precedence in case tener was manufactured, sampled, tested and

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 Abstract of
STRUCTURAL HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL BOLTS, CLASSES 10.9 AND ASTMA490M
BOLTING 10.9.3, FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL JOINTS [METRIC] 1993

inspected in accordance with this specification class numerals positioned toward the closest
and meets all of its requirements. periphery of the head. Markings may be either
raised or depressed at the option of the manu-
16. Product Marking facturer.

16.1 Bolt heads shall be marked A490M . and 16.5 Type and manufacturer's or private la-
shall also be marked to identify the manufac- bel distributor's ldentification shall be separate
turer or private label distributor, as appropriate. and distinct. The two identifications shall pref-
erably be in different locations and, when on
16.2 In addition to the markings required in
the same level, shall be separated by at least
16.1, Type 1 bolts shall be marked 10S; Type 2
two spaces.
bolts shall be marked 10S with this marking
undertined; and Type 3 bolts shall be marked
10S3. 17. Packaging and Package Marking

16.3 At the manufacturer's option, Type 3 (Refer to the complete specification.)

bolts may have additional distinguishing marks
to indicate the bolt is atmospheric corrosion
18. Key Words
resistant and of a weathering type.

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16.4 All markings shall be located on the top 18.1 alloy steel; bolts; metric; steel; structural;
of the bolt head with the base of the property weathering steel

APPENDIX

(Non mandatory Information)

Table X1.1 Mechanical Properties of Full-Size Bolts

Surface
Nominal Proof Load, kN Product Hardness
Tensile Hardness
Bolt Dla Stress
and Area, Strength, kN HRC HV HR30N
Length Yield
Thread mm' Measurement Strength (Rockwell C) (Vlckers) (Rockwell 30N)
Pitch Method Method Mln Max Mln Mu Mln Max Max

M16)( 2 157 130 148 163 188 ... ... ... . .. ...
M20 )( 2.5 245 203 230 255 294 ... ... ... ... ...
M22 )( 2.5 303 251 285 315 364 ... ... ... . .. ...
M24 )( 3 353 293 332 367 424 33 39 327 382 59
M27 )( 3 459 381 431 477 551 ... ... ... ... . ..
MJO)( 3.5 561 4S6 527 583 673 ... ... ... ... ...
M36 )( 4 817 678 768 850 980 ... ... ... ... . ..

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