Newest FAQs
ASTM A36 is a very common steel standard that covers structural carbon steel shapes, plates and bars. Fasteners are not specifically included in the scope of A36, but that doesn’t stop engineers and contractors from asking for A36 bolts. Why is that an issue? The inherent problem with trying to order bolts to a ASTM... Read more
Both ASTM F568M and ISO 898-1 outline several grades of metric fastener, from low carbon/low strength, up to high strength/heat treated alloy grades. The equivalents listed below should be only considered as rough equivalents. Special care should be taken before substituting grades to make sure that an acceptable substitute is being used. For example, grade... Read more
Currently, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) specification B 1.1 does not define a “standard” Unified National Coarse (UNC) thread pitch for 1-5/8” diameter bolts (or 1-7/8” for that matter). The “pseudo standard” coarse thread that is often used in the industry is 5-1/2 threads per inch. The 8UN (eight threads per inch) series... Read more
Let’s begin by addressing responsibility for filing a claim. When Portland Bolt ships product collect on a carrier of our customer’s choosing, ownership of the material changes hands the moment the carrier leaves our loading dock. Therefore, if a shipment is damaged or lost, it is our customer’s responsibility to file a claim against the... Read more
Many grades of bolt gain their strength though a heat treating process, and the addition of heat during welding can adversely alter those strength properties. However, some lower strength grades are easily weldable when manufactured from weldable steel. In general, steel items which have been heat treated for strength should generally not be welded since... Read more
Most likely no. Our “black” bolts are unfinished or bare steel. The term “black bolt” is an industry term for plain finish or no finish bolts. These bolts offer no corrosion resistance and will rust over time. If you are looking for a decorative coating that is actually black, you will want to specify that... Read more
Stainless steel type 316 and type 304 are raw material grades for stainless steel. Stainless steel fasteners are sometimes referred to and ordered as their raw material grades (such as SS 316 and SS304) and sometimes referred to and ordered as their ASTM specification. The common ASTM specifications that cover stainless steel bolts are A193,... Read more
Hot-dip galvanizing is a process of applying a protective zinc coating by dipping product in bath of molten zinc. Galvanizing is a favored method of protective coating due to its low cost, ease of application, and long maintenance-free service life. Generally applied at 830 to 870 degrees, the zinc will bond with the steel. It... Read more
S3 is the supplemental specification for a permanent grade identification stamp on the top end of F1554 anchor bolts. When this is called out, it replaces the color code requirement. Therefore, color coding is not required when supplemental requirement S3 is called out on the purchase order. For more information on marking and color coding... Read more
The slope of a beveled washer or a given segment represents how much the elevation changes over a certain distance. The higher the slope, the more steep the incline or decline. Slope is measured in degrees, ratios and grades. To find the slope in degrees, you need to make use of trigonometry ratios or more... Read more
