Bolted joint applications are designed to support or transmit some form of externally applied load. When selecting materials, it’s vital to choose according to the mechanical properties of steel bolts.
Out of all these properties, tensile strength is perhaps most commonly associated with standard fasteners. This is the greatest tension applied load a fastener can handle before it begins to fracture.
You can calculate tensile load with the formula P= St x As:
- P – Tensile load
- St – Tensile strength
- As – Tensile stress area for the fastener or area of material
Fasteners deform as they get close to the maximum strength of the threaded portion, which is why most alloy or carbon steel bolts have a defined proof load, which is each fastener’s usable strength range.
Shear strength
This is the greatest load a fastener can support before fracturing, when that load is applied at a 90-degree angle to the axis of the fastener.
In most cases, shear strength in threaded fasteners is not specified, even if the fastener is used in shear applications.
Additional Mechanical Properties of Steel Bolts
Other mechanical properties of steel bolts include:
1. Fatigue strength
The maximum stress a fastener can endure for a specific number of cycles before failing.
2. Torsional strength
The torque load at which a fastener fails by becoming twisted off at its axis.
3. Hardness
The material’s ability to withstand indentation and abrasion.
4. Ductility
The material’s ability to deform before fracturing. If a material sees little to no plastic deformation before fracturing, it is considered brittle.
A good indication of ductility in a fastener is the ratio of its minimum yield strength compared to its minimum tensile strength. The lower the ratio, the greater the ductility.
5. Toughness
This is a measure of a material’s impact/shock loading absorption, not typically a specification requirement in most industries.
Proper bolting techniques require the right tools, which is why professionals in industries ranging from bridge construction to power generation to mining rely on Maxpro for the torque tools and testing equipment to ensure their work is done safely and accurately.
We sell and rent a variety of different RAD torque wrenches and can calibrate torque tools at our A2LA-accredited lab. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you in your next project.
