Fastener Identification
The SAE bolt strength grades range from grade 2 to grade 8. The higher the grade number, the greater the bolt strength. Identification is determined by the line marks on the top of each bolt head. The actual bolt strength grade corresponds to the number of line marks plus 2. The most commonly used metric bolt strength classes are 9.8 and 10.9. The metric strength class identification number is imprinted on the head of the bolt. The higher the class number, the greater the bolt strength. Some metric nuts are imprinted with a single-digit strength class on the nut face. Refer to the Fastener Identification and Fastener Strength Charts. See Fig 1.
BOLT MARKINGS AND TORQUES - METRIC
| Bolt Markings | 8.8/8.9 | 10.9 | 12.9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt Dia. | N.m | Ft. Lbs. | N.m | Ft. Lbs. | N.m | Ft. Lbs. |
| 6 | 12 | 105* | 14 | 120* | 16 | 12 |
| 8 | 25 | 250* | 32 | 23 | 38 | 28 |
| 10 | 54 | 40 | 60 | 45 | 74 | 55 |
| 12 | 95 | 70 | 108 | 80 | 135 | 100 |
| 14 | 155 | 115 | 175 | 130 | 216 | 160 |
| 16 | 243 | 180 | 324 | 210 | 324 | 240 |
| * Inch Lbs. | ||||||
BOLT MARKINGS AND TORQUES - U. S. CUSTOMARY
| Bolt Markings | Grade 5 | Grade 8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt Dia. | N.m | Ft. Lbs | N.m | Ft. Lbs |
| 1/4 - 20 | 10 | 95* | 14 | 125* |
| 1/4 - 28 | 10 | 95* | 17 | 150* |
| 5/16 - 18 | 22 | 200* | 30 | 270* |
| 5/16 - 24 | 26 | 240* | 33 | 300* |
| 3/8 - 16 | 40 | 30 | 55 | 40 |
| 3/8 - 24 | 47 | 35 | 60 | 45 |
| 7/16 - 14 | 68 | 50 | 88 | 65 |
| 7/16 - 20 | 74 | 55 | 95 | 70 |
| 1/2 - 13 | 101 | 75 | 135 | 100 |
| 1/2 -20 | 115 | 85 | 150 | 110 |
| 9/16 - 12 | 135 | 105 | 182 | 135 |
| 9/16 - 18 | 155 | 115 | 202 | 150 |
| 5/8 - 11 | 202 | 150 | 263 | 195 |
| 5/8 - 18 | 215 | 160 | 284 | 210 |
| 3/4 - 10 | 230 | 170 | 297 | 220 |
| 3/4 - 16 | 236 | 175 | 304 | 225 |
| 7/8 - 14 | 405 | 300 | 540 | 400 |
| * Inch Lbs. | ||||