Newest FAQs
Bolt Insurance
What is Product Liability Insurance? Which companies should have it?Truly an asset you may not always like paying for but one you surely cannot live without. All manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, in fact all those involved in the “stream of commerce” should have adequate product liability insurance. Product liability insurance is an insurance policy that would provide protection against liabilities, within the policy limits, for... Read more
Galvanizing Bolts for Pressure Treated Wood
Are current ASTM galvanizing standards suitable for use with the new chemicals being used in pressure treated wood? Some people have told me I need to use double or triple dipped fasteners. Is this true?Since the new chemicals (alkaline copper quat [ACQ], copper azole [CBA-A and CA-B], and sodium borates [SBX]) now being used in pressure treated wood have been shown to be up to two or three times more corrosive than the previously used chromate copper arsenate (CCA), the recommended galvanizing thickness for materials being used with the... Read more
UL Listings and ICC-ES Reports
Do your products have a UL Listing or ICC-ES report available?No. The products manufactured by Portland Bolt do not fall under the umbrella of products that would require a UL listing or ICC-ES report. There are three main governing bodies that cover specifications for fasteners. ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) covers primarily bolts and fasteners for construction applications. SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)... Read more
Cutting Bolts in the Field
Is it acceptable practice to alter a bolt’s length in the field if it is too long?Altering a bolt’s length or configuration in the field is acceptable as long as it does not change the length originally specified by the designer or engineer. If a bolt is longer than what was originally needed, the bolt can be cut down in the field. How the bolt is cut is important to consider.... Read more
ASTM A325 vs. Grade 5 bolts
What is the difference between Grade 5 and A325 bolts?While these two bolts are virtually identical in terms of chemical and physical strengths and properties, there are several differences between the two. The Grade 5 specification falls under the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) classification system, while A325 is an ASTM specification. ASTM A325 bolts are more commonly specified by engineers for use in... Read more
Stainless Steel Grades
What are the differences between 18-8, type 304, and type 316 stainless steels?To answer this question, you first need to know some basic information about stainless steel. “Stainless Steel” is the general name for a large family of alloy steels that contain at least 10.5% chromium as part of their composition. At and above this level of chromium, a complex chrome-oxide surface layer forms that prevents further... Read more
Rules for Reusing Bolts
Can a bolt be reused? If so, what grades and in what scenarios?A bolt that has already been used in a given application may or may not be reused, depending on the grade, application, and recommendation of the “Engineer of Record”. There are a tremendous number of conflicting opinions on this subject, but the only definitive published information we can find on this issue from a reputable... Read more
Stainless Steel Bolt Differences
What are the differences between hex bolts ordered as type 304 stainless steel, A193 Grade B8, and F593 Group 1 (type 304 stainless)?Hex bolts are often ordered as a type 304 stainless and not to a specific ASTM specification. When bolts are ordered under the raw material grade (type 304) and not to an ASTM fastener specification, there are no specific requirements other than that they meet the chemical and physical requirements of 304 stainless steel and... Read more
Substituting High Strength Nuts
Can an A194 grade 2H nut be substituted for an A563 grade DH nut? If so, does it work the other way around... Can an A563 grade DH nut be substituted for an A194 grade 2H nut?Both ASTM A194 Grade 2H nuts and ASTM A563 grade DH nuts are high strength nuts that undergo a heat treating process required to develop their strength characteristics. However, they are not necessarily interchangeable. An A194 Grade 2H nut can always be substituted for an A563 Grade DH nut. In fact, the ASTM A563 nut... Read more
Calculating Grade 8 Shear Strength
What is the shear strength of Grade 8 bolts?A common question that we get here at Portland Bolt is in regards to the shear strength of bolts. The shear strength is the value at which the lateral stress on a bolt or screw causes it to fail. It is an important factor to take into consideration when designing structural steel or timber connections.... Read more