Newest FAQs

A320 L7 Bolts in Slip Critical Connections

Can A320 L7 grade bolts be used for Slip Critical connections?

The grade of bolt used in a Slip Critical (SC) connection has no direct bearing on the connection itself, so the answer is yes. The SC connection means that it is a type of bolted structural steel connection which relies on friction between the two connected elements rather than bolt shear or bolt bearing to... Read more

A325 Countersunk Bolts

Can Portland Bolt manufacture A325 countersunk bolts?

The short answer is, yes! In 2015, ASTM created F3125 which is a new, all-inclusive specification for structural bolts that consolidated and replaced the following six stand-alone ASTM standards: A325, A325M, A490, A490M, F1852 and F2280. Under the new F3125 specification, A325 fasteners can be made in head styles other than heavy hex as long... Read more

Body Bound Bolts

Does Portland Bolt make body bound bolts?

Portland Bolt cannot manufacture a body bound type bolt. An example of a body bound or tight-fitting bolt is one in which precision is required in order to hold together parts of machinery or similar applications to prevent the slightest change of position of one part on another. This type of bolt must be supplied... Read more

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

Rolled Thread Bolt Diameter

Do Bolts with Rolled Threads have a Full Body Diameter or a Reduced Body Diameter?

When threading bolts, the two most commonly used methods are cut threading and roll threading. We are often asked if bolts which have been roll threaded have a full body diameter or a reduced body diameter. Depending on the type of fastener, the answer is both. When Portland Bolt produces bolts with rolled threads, we... 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

Portland Bolt Business Hours

What are the business hours at Portland Bolt?

Portland Bolt is open from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. To be able to accommodate the needs of our customers across the country, we stagger the workday between our salespeople. Our Interactive Shipment Destination Map provides detailed shipping information showing that the second-largest concentration of Portland Bolt shipments is the... Read more

“Structural Grade” Fasteners

Is there a “structural grade” for fasteners?

Portland Bolt is often asked which grade should be used in a structural application. More specifically, when asked what grade is required for a particular fastener that we are receiving an inquiry on, companies will often reply “it’s a structural grade” or “it’s for a structural application”. This usually is the result of a fastener being specified... Read more

ASTM Revision Letters

What do the letters and numbers after ASTM grades mean?

ASTM standards are typically called out by their ASTM number and year of revision, for example F1554-07. Occasionally, when small revisions are made at ASTM that do not necessitate a full year revision, the year is annotated with a letter. We fielded a chat recently where this question came up. Below is the correspondence and... Read more

Galvanizing F1554 Anchor Bolts

Can all three grades of F1554 anchor bolts be galvanized?

The answer to this question is yes! All three grades within the ASTM F1554 specification, Grade 36, Grade 55, and Grade 105, can be either hot-dip galvanized or mechanically galvanized.  The issues of hydrogen embrittlement and/or mechanical properties being alerted during galvanizing are not an issue with any of these three grades.  In Section 7... Read more