Technical FAQs

A615 Anchor Bolts

I was told that I cannot use A615 grade anchor bolts because they are not listed in the approved anchor bolt section in the AISC manual. Is there a specification that addresses the use of A615 grade anchor bolts?

There is no mention of any ASTM A615 grade being specifically used for anchor bolts in any ACI, AISC or ASTM specifications that we are aware of. Simply, the A615 grade is a rebar specification for concrete reinforcement; it is not an anchor bolt or raw steel specification. Using rebar for anchor bolts does present... Read more

A320 L7 Nuts and Washers

What grade of nuts and washers are compatible with ASTM A320 Grade L7 bolts and rods?

ASTM A320-L7 is a specification covering bolts, studs, and screws intended for low temperature service. Portland Bolt regularly supplies both plain finish and hot-dip galvanized A320-L7 fasteners to numerous customers in Canada and Alaska. Recently in our Portland Bolt Live Chat, an engineer asked this question as he needed to know what grade of nuts and... Read more

A325X vs. A325 Bolt Head Markings

Do A325X bolts have a special marking on the head that would differentiate them from a standard A325?

The “X” designates the connection type (bearing-type connection with threads excluded from the shear plane) and has nothing to do with the bolt itself. Therefore, an A325 structural bolt used in this type of connection will have no different markings than an A325 bolt used in a different type of connection (N or SC). All A325... Read more

Stainless Steel Fastener Magnetism

Are stainless steel fasteners magnetic?

A common misconception is that stainless steel is non-magnetic. There are five classes of stainless steel, and only one is non-magnetic. However, it just happens to be that the most widely used type (austenitic) is the one that is not magnetic. Class Magnetic? Common Types Ferritic Yes 430,442 Austenitic No 304,316 Martensitic Yes 410,416 Duplex... Read more

Internal Thread Corrosion

Since the threads inside of a hot-dip galvanized nut are bare metal, will they corrode?

The short answer to this question is no. However, there are many variables with regard to the protective coating that prevents the internal threads of a galvanized nut from corroding. In this FAQ, we will explore some of the variables brought about by this question. One of the first issues to address is the question... Read more

Bolts Made from 44W Steel

Does Portland Bolt manufacture bolts from 44W steel?

Yes. 44W / 300W is the Canadian version of A36 steel, and is a grade within the CSA G40.21-04 specification. The Canadian Standards Association specification G40.21 covers structural quality steel plates, shapes, sheet, sheet piling, cold-formed channels, hollow sections, Z sections, and bars. 44W steel has slightly higher mechanical requirements than A36, which are summarized... Read more

A193 Grade B7 Anchor Bolts

Is A193 Grade B7 a valid specification for anchor bolts?

While there is certainly nothing to preclude ASTM A193 B7 from being specified for anchor bolts – and Portland Bolt manufactures them quite often – the specification is not intended for anchor bolt use. ASTM F1554 Grade 105 is a specification specifically developed for anchor bolts and possesses virtually identical chemical and physical properties. ASTM... Read more

Weldable F1554-55 Anchor Bolts

Are F1554 Grade 55 anchor bolts always weldable?

F1554 Grade 55 anchor bolts are not always weldable. The weldability of Grade 55 is a supplemental requirement referred to as “S1”, which must be specified. According to the ASTM F1554 specification under section S1.1, “This supplemental section, by chemical composition restrictions and by a carbon equivalent formula, provides assurance of weldability.” For F1554 Grade 55... Read more

Fixing Misaligned Anchor Bolts

What do I do if I poured my anchor bolts in the wrong position?

This is a common problem, and one that can be very difficult to remedy once the concrete is cured. As with most job-site fixes, the repair method depends on the nature of the problem and when in the construction process it is first noted. The repair method may be different if one bolt is out... Read more

A193B7 Service Temperature

What is the maximum service temperature for A193 Grade B7 bolts?

Portland Bolt is often faced with this question, and because there are many conflicting sources online, we decided to do a little research on our own. The resource we found most helpful was ASME B31.1-2012. In this specification, there is a table which shows the maximum allowable stress values in Tension (KSI) for metal temperature.... Read more