BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020

BSI Standards Publication

Fasteners – Mechanical properties of corrosion-

resistant stainless steel fasteners
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

Part 1: Bolts, screws and studs with specified grades and property classes
 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN ISO 3506-1:2020.
It is identical to ISO 3506-1:2020. It supersedes BS EN ISO 3506-1:2009,
which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee FME/9, Fasteners.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2020
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2020
ISBN 978 0 580 92492 7
ICS 21.060.10
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 April 2020.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

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Date Text affected

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN ISO 3506-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM April 2020

ICS 21.060.10 Supersedes EN ISO 3506-1:2009

English Version

Fasteners - Mechanical properties of corrosion-resistant

stainless steel fasteners - Part 1: Bolts, screws and studs
with specified grades and property classes (ISO 3506-
1:2020)
Fixations - Caractéristiques mécaniques des fixations Mechanische Verbindungselemente - Mechanische
en acier inoxydable résistant à la corrosion - Partie 1: Eigenschaften von Verbindungselementen aus
Vis, goujons et tiges filetées de grades et classes de korrosionsbeständigen nichtrostenden Stählen - Teil 1:
qualité spécifiés (ISO 3506-1:2020) Schrauben mit festgelegten Stahlsorten und
Festigkeitsklassen (ISO 3506-1:2020)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 28 March 2020.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
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This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 3506-1:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
EN ISO 3506-1:2020 (E)

European foreword

This document (EN ISO 3506-1:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 2 "Fasteners"
in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 185 “Fasteners” the secretariat of which is held by
BSI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2020, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2020.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN ISO 3506-1:2009.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice
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The text of ISO 3506-1:2020 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 3506-1:2020 without any
modification.
 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Contents Page

Foreword...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... vii
1 Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references....................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
3 Terms and definitions...................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4 Symbols........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
5 Designation system for stainless steel grades and property classes.............................................................. 4
5.1 General............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
5.2 Designation of stainless steel grades (first block).................................................................................................... 5
5.3 Designation of property classes (second block)......................................................................................................... 6
6 Materials........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
6.1 Chemical composition....................................................................................................................................................................... 6
6.2 Heat treatment for martensitic stainless steel fasteners..................................................................................... 7
6.3 Finish................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
6.4 Corrosion resistance........................................................................................................................................................................... 8
7 Mechanical and physical properties................................................................................................................................................. 8
8 Applicability of test methods and inspection.......................................................................................................................14
8.1 Applicability of test methods.................................................................................................................................................... 14
8.2 Loadability of fasteners................................................................................................................................................................. 14
8.2.1 Fasteners with full loadability............................................................................................................................ 14
8.2.2 Fasteners which have reduced loadability due to their geometry...................................... 15
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8.3 Manufacturer’s inspection.......................................................................................................................................................... 16

8.4 Supplier’s inspection....................................................................................................................................................................... 16
8.5 Purchaser’s inspection................................................................................................................................................................... 16
8.6 Delivery of test results.................................................................................................................................................................... 17
9 Test methods...........................................................................................................................................................................................................17
9.1 Tensile test for fasteners............................................................................................................................................................... 17
9.1.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
9.1.2 Test procedure for the simultaneous determination of Rmf, Rpf, and A ......................... 18
9.1.3 Reference test procedure for the determination of stress at 0,2 % non-
proportional elongation, Rpf ............................................................................................................................... 19
9.1.4 Alternative test procedure for the determination of elongation, A ................................... 21
9.1.5 Test results and requirements for tensile strength, Rmf ............................................................. 22
9.1.6 Test results and requirements for stress at 0,2 % non-proportional
elongation, Rpf ................................................................................................................................................................. 22
9.1.7 Test results and requirements for elongation after fracture, A ............................................ 23
9.2 Tensile test for bolts and screws with reduced loadability due to head design........................... 23
9.2.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
9.2.2 Test procedure................................................................................................................................................................. 23
9.2.3 Test results and requirements for ultimate tensile load, Fmf ................................................. 23
9.3 Tensile test for fasteners with reduced loadability due to shank design........................................... 23
9.3.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
9.3.2 Test procedure................................................................................................................................................................. 24
9.3.3 Test results for tensile strength........................................................................................................................ 24
9.4 Wedge tensile test.............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
9.4.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
9.4.2 Test procedure................................................................................................................................................................. 26
9.4.3 Test results and requirements........................................................................................................................... 26
9.5 Torsional test.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
9.5.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
9.5.2 Test procedure................................................................................................................................................................. 27

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9.5.3 Test results and requirements........................................................................................................................... 28

9.6 Hardness test.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
9.6.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
9.6.2 Test procedure................................................................................................................................................................. 28
9.6.3 Test results and requirements........................................................................................................................... 28
10 Fastener marking and labelling..........................................................................................................................................................29
10.1 Fastener marking................................................................................................................................................................................ 29
10.1.1 General requirements for marking................................................................................................................ 29
10.1.2 Marking of property class for fasteners with full loadability.................................................. 29
10.1.3 Marking of property class for fasteners with reduced loadability..................................... 29
10.1.4 Additional marking...................................................................................................................................................... 30
10.2 Manufacturer’s identification mark.................................................................................................................................... 30
10.3 Marking on the fasteners............................................................................................................................................................. 30
10.3.1 Hexagon head bolts and screws........................................................................................................................ 30
10.3.2 Hexagon socket or hexalobular socket bolts and screws............................................................ 31
10.3.3 Other types of bolts and screws....................................................................................................................... 32
10.3.4 Studs (one-end and double-end studs)...................................................................................................... 32
10.3.5 Fully threaded studs................................................................................................................................................... 33
10.3.6 Left-hand thread marking...................................................................................................................................... 33
10.4 Marking of the packages (labelling)................................................................................................................................... 34
Annex A (informative) Mechanical properties at elevated temperatures — Application at
low temperatures..............................................................................................................................................................................................35
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 37
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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www​.iso​.org/​directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www​.iso​.org/​patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www​.iso​.org/​
iso/​foreword​.html.
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 2, Fasteners.

This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 3506-1:2009), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— annexes common to several parts of the ISO 3506 series have been withdrawn from this document
and are now included in a new document (ISO 3506-6);
— duplex (austenitic-ferritic) stainless steels for property classes 70, 80 and 100 have been added (see
Figure 1);
— property class 100 for austenitic stainless steel grades as well as grade A8 have been added (see
Figure 1);
— finish (see 6.3) has been added;
— the matching of stainless steel bolt and nut grades (see 6.4) has been added;
— calculated minimum ultimate tensile loads and minimum loads at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation
(see Tables 4 to 7) and rounding rules have been added;
— reduced loadability for fasteners due to head or shank design (see 8.2) has been added;
— requirements and guidance for inspection procedures (see 8.3 to 8.6) have been added;
— operational temperature ranges (see Clause 1) have been clarified;
— the applicability of test methods (see Clause 8), also in relation to full and reduced loadability, has
been added;
— the tensile test procedure (see 9.1) has been entirely amended, and application to fasteners with
reduced loadability (see 9.2 and 9.3) has been added;

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ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


— the wedge tensile test (see 9.4) and hardness test (see 9.6) have been improved;
— marking and labelling (see Clause 10) have been improved, and fasteners with reduced loadability
have been included;
— mechanical properties at elevated temperatures and application at low temperatures (see Annex A)
have been improved;
— the structure and content of this document have been brought in line with ISO 898-1.
A list of all parts in the ISO 3506 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www​.iso​.org/​members​.html.
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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Introduction
The ISO  3506 series consists of the following parts, under the general title Fasteners — Mechanical
properties of corrosion-resistant stainless steel fasteners:
— Part 1: Bolts, screws and studs with specified grades and property classes
— Part 2: Nuts with specified grades and property classes
— Part 31): Set screws and similar fasteners not under tensile stress
— Part 41): Tapping screws
— Part 52): Special fasteners (also including fasteners from nickel alloys) for high temperature applications
— Part 6: General rules for the selection of stainless steels and nickel alloys for fasteners
The properties of stainless steel fasteners result from the chemical composition of the material
(especially corrosion resistance) and from the mechanical properties due to the manufacturing
processes. Ferritic, austenitic and duplex (austenitic-ferritic) stainless steel fasteners are generally
manufactured by cold working; they consequently do not have homogeneous local material properties
when compared to quenched and tempered fasteners.
Austenitic-ferritic stainless steels referred to as duplex stainless steels were originally invented in the
1930s. Standard duplex grades used today have been developed since the 1980s. Fasteners made of
duplex stainless steels have been long established in a range of applications. This document was revised
to reflect their standardization.
All duplex stainless steel grades show improved resistance to stress corrosion cracking compared to
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the commonly used A1 to A5 austenitic grades. Most duplex grades also show higher levels of pitting
corrosion resistance, where D2 matches at least A2 and where D4 matches at least A4.
Complementary detailed explanations about definitions of stainless steel grades and properties are
specified in ISO 3506-6.

1) It is intended to revise ISO 3506‑3 and ISO 3506‑4 in the future in order to include the reference to ISO 3506‑6.
2) Under preparation.

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BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 3506-1:2020(E)

Fasteners — Mechanical properties of corrosion-resistant

stainless steel fasteners —
Part 1:
Bolts, screws and studs with specified grades and
property classes

1 Scope
This document specifies the mechanical and physical properties of bolts, screws and studs, with
coarse pitch thread and fine pitch thread, made of corrosion-resistant stainless steels, when tested at
the ambient temperature range of 10 °C to 35 °C. It specifies property classes in relation to austenitic,
martensitic, ferritic and duplex (austenitic-ferritic) steel grades for fasteners.
The term “fasteners” is used in this document when bolts, screws and studs are considered all together.
ISO 3506-6 provides general rules and additional technical information on suitable stainless steels and
their properties.
Fasteners conforming to the requirements of this document are evaluated at the ambient temperature
specified in paragraph  1. It is possible that they do not retain the specified mechanical and physical
properties at elevated and/or lower temperatures.
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NOTE 1 Fasteners conforming to the requirements of this document are used without restriction in
applications ranging from –20 °C to +150 °C; however, fasteners conforming to this document are also used for
applications outside this range down to –196 °C and up to +300 °C. For more details, see Annex A and ISO 3506-6.

Outside the temperature range of –20 °C to +150 °C, it is the responsibility of the user to determine the
appropriate choice for a given application in consultation with an experienced fastener metallurgist
and by taking into account e.g. stainless steel composition, duration of exposure at elevated or low
temperature, the effect of the temperature on the fasteners mechanical properties and clamped parts,
and the corrosive service environment of the bolted joint.
NOTE 2 ISO 3506-5 is developed in order to assist in the selection of appropriate stainless steel grades and
property classes intended for use at temperatures up to +800 °C.

This document applies to bolts, screws and studs:

— with ISO metric thread in accordance with ISO 68-1,
— with diameter/pitch combinations in accordance with ISO 261 and ISO 262,
— with coarse pitch thread M1,6 to M39, and fine pitch thread M8×1 to M39×3,
— with thread tolerances in accordance with ISO 965-1 and ISO 965-2,
— with specified property classes, and
— of any shape.
Stainless steel grades and property classes can be used for sizes outside the diameter limits of this
document (i.e. for d  <  1,6  mm or d  >  39  mm), provided that all applicable chemical, mechanical and
physical requirements are met.

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Certain bolts, screws and studs might not fulfil the tensile or torsional requirements of this document
because of the geometry of their head or unthreaded shank, thus resulting in reduced loadability (e.g.
when shear area in the head is less than the stress area in the thread; see 8.2.2).
This document does not apply to set screws and similar threaded fasteners not under tensile stress
(see ISO 3506-3).
It does not specify requirements for functional properties such as:
— torque/clamp force properties,
— shear strength,
— fatigue resistance, or
— weldability.

2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1891-4, Fasteners — Vocabulary — Part 4: Control, inspection, delivery, acceptance and quality
ISO 3506-6, Fasteners — Mechanical properties of corrosion-resistant stainless steel fasteners — Part 6:
General rules for the selection of stainless steels and nickel alloys for fasteners
ISO 6506-1, Metallic materials — Brinell hardness test — Part 1: Test method
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ISO 6507-1, Metallic materials — Vickers hardness test — Part 1: Test method

ISO 6508-1, Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test — Part 1: Test method
ISO 6892-1, Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 1: Method of test at room temperature
ISO 7500-1, Metallic materials — Calibration and verification of static uniaxial testing machines — Part 1:
Tension/compression testing machines — Calibration and verification of the force-measuring system
ISO 9513, Metallic materials — Calibration of extensometer systems used in uniaxial testing
ISO 16228, Fasteners — Types of inspection documents

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://​w ww​.iso​.org/​obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://​w ww​.electropedia​.org/​
3.1
stainless steel bolt and screw with full loadability
bolt and screw with head stronger than the threaded and unthreaded shanks (with unthreaded shank
diameter ds ≈ d2 or ds > d2) or screw threaded to the head, and fulfilling the minimum ultimate tensile load
3.2
stainless steel stud with full loadability
stud with unthreaded shank diameter ds ≈ d2 or ds > d2, and fulfilling the minimum ultimate tensile load

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


3.3
stainless steel bolt and screw with reduced loadability
bolt and screw with head weaker than the threaded and unthreaded shanks, or with an unthreaded
shank diameter ds < d2
3.4
stainless steel stud with reduced loadability
stud with unthreaded shank diameter ds < d2
3.5
stainless steel
steel with at least 10,5  % (mass fraction) of chromium (Cr) and maximum 1,2  % (mass fraction) of
carbon (C)
3.6
austenitic stainless steel
stainless steel (3.5) with high amounts of chromium and nickel which usually cannot be hardened by
heat treatment, providing excellent resistance to corrosion, good ductility, and usually low or non-
magnetic properties
3.7
martensitic stainless steel
stainless steel (3.5) with high amounts of chromium but very little nickel or other alloying elements,
which can be hardened by heat treatment for increasing strength but with reduced ductility, and with
highly magnetic properties
3.8
ferritic stainless steel
stainless steel (3.5) containing less than 0,1  % carbon and typically 11  % to 18  % chromium, which
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usually cannot be hardened by heat treatment, and with highly magnetic properties
3.9
duplex stainless steel
stainless steel (3.5) with a micro-structure that includes both austenitic and ferritic phases providing
excellent resistance to corrosion, containing a higher amount of chromium and a reduced quantity of
nickel compared to austenitic steel, with high strength, and with magnetic properties

4 Symbols
For the purposes of this document, the following symbols apply.

A total elongation after fracture, mm

As,nom nominal stress area in thread, mm2

Ads cross-sectional area of waisted shank, mm2

b thread length, mm

d nominal thread diameter of the fastener, mm

d1 basic minor diameter of external thread, mm

d2 basic pitch diameter of external thread, mm

d3 minor diameter of external thread (for nominal stress area calculation), mm

da inner diameter of the bearing face, mm

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


dh hole diameter for adaptors and wedge, mm

ds diameter of unthreaded shank, mm

Fmf ultimate tensile load, N

Fpf load at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation for full-size fastener, N

H height of the fundamental triangle of the thread, mm

k height of the head, mm

l nominal length of fastener, mm

L0 total length of fastener before tensile test, mm

L1 total length of fastener after fracture, mm

L2 clamping length before tensile test, mm

ls length of unthreaded shank, mm

lt overall length of stud, mm

lth free threaded length of fastener in testing device, mm

MB breaking torque, Nm

P pitch of the thread, mm

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Rmds tensile strength for fastener with reduced loadability due to shank design, MPa

Rmf tensile strength for full-size fastener, MPa

Rpf stress at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation for full-size fastener, MPa

α wedge angle, °

5 Designation system for stainless steel grades and property classes

5.1 General
The standardized combinations of stainless steel grades and property classes are specified in Clause 7,
Table 2 or 3.
The designation system for stainless steel grades and property classes for bolts, screws and studs
consists of two blocks, separated by a hyphen, as specified in Figure 1. The first block designates the
stainless steel grade, and the second block the property class of the fastener.

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)

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a For low carbon austenitic stainless steels with carbon content not exceeding 0,030 %, fasteners can additionally
be marked or designated with the letter "L" just after the grade. Example: A4L-80.
b For information only.

Figure 1 — Designation system for stainless steel grades and property classes for fasteners

The marking, labelling and designation of fasteners with stainless steel grade and property class shall
be as specified in Clause 10. For bolts, screws and studs with reduced loadability which can be tensile
tested in the threaded shank, the digit “0” shall precede the property class as specified in 10.1.3. For
fasteners with reduced loadability which cannot be tensile tested due to a too short thread length
(b < 3d), the property class shall not be referenced.
The designation system of this document may be used for sizes outside the diameter limits specified in
Clause 1 (i.e. d < 1,6 mm or d > 39 mm), provided that all applicable chemical, mechanical and physical
requirements are met.

5.2 Designation of stainless steel grades (first block)

The designation of the stainless steel grade (first block) consists of one letter which specifies the
stainless steel group:
— A for austenitic,
— C for martensitic,
— F for ferritic,
— D for duplex (austenitic-ferritic),

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and
— a digit which specifies the range of chemical compositions within this stainless steel group.
The chemical compositions of stainless steel groups and grades classified in Figure 1 are specified in
Table 1.

5.3 Designation of property classes (second block)

The designation of the property class (second block) consists of a number corresponding to 1/10 of the
minimum tensile strength of the fastener in accordance with Table 2 or 3.
EXAMPLE 1 A2-70 specifies an austenitic stainless steel fastener, work hardened, with a minimum tensile
strength of 700 MPa.

EXAMPLE 2 C1-110 specifies a martensitic stainless steel fastener, quenched and tempered, with a minimum
tensile strength of 1 100 MPa.

6 Materials

6.1 Chemical composition

Table 1 specifies the limits for chemical composition of the stainless steel grades for fasteners. The
chemical composition shall be assessed in accordance with the relevant International Standards.
The final choice of the chemical composition within the specified stainless steel grade is at the discretion
of the manufacturer, unless otherwise agreed between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
The stainless steel grade suitable for an application shall be selected in accordance with the
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specifications defined in ISO 3506-6.

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Table 1 — Stainless steel grades — Chemical composition

Chemical composition a
Stainless (cast analysis, mass fraction in %) b Other elements
steel grade and notes
C Si Mn P S Cr Mo Ni Cu N
0,15 to 16,0 to 5,0 to 1,75 to
A1 0,12 1,00 6,5 0,020 0,70 — c,d,e
0,35 19,0 10,0 2,25
15,0 to 8,0 to
A2 0,10 1,00 2,00 0,050 0,030 —f 4,0 — g,h
20,0 19,0
17,0 to 9,0 to 5C ≤ Ti ≤ 0,80 and/or
A3 0,08 1,00 2,00 0,045 0,030 —f 1,00 —
19,0 12,0 10C ≤ Nb ≤ 1,00
Austenitic
16,0 to 2,00 to 10,0 to
A4 0,08 1,00 2,00 0,045 0,030 4,0 — h,i
18,5 3,00 15,0
16,0 to 2,00 to 10,5 to 5C ≤ Ti ≤ 0,80 and/or
A5 0,08 1,00 2,00 0,045 0,030 1,00 —
18,5 3,00 14,0 10C ≤ Nb ≤ 1,00 i
19,0 to 17,5 to
A8 0,030 1,00 2,00 0,040 0,030 6,0 to 7,0 1,50 — —
22,0 26,0
0,09 to 11,5 to
C1 1,00 1,00 0,050 0,030 — 1,00 — — i
0,15 14,0
0,17 to 16,0 to 1,50 to
Martensitic C3 1,00 1,00 0,040 0,030 — — — —
0,25 18,0 2,50
0,08 to 0,15 to 12,0 to
C4 1,00 1,50 0,060 0,60 1,00 — — c,i
0,15 0,35 14,0
15,0 to
Ferritic F1 0,08 1,00 1,00 0,040 0,030 —f 1,00 — — j
18,0
Cr + 3,3Mo +16N
19,0 to 0,10 to 1,50 to 0,05 to
D2 0,040 1,00 6,0 0,040 0,030 3,00 ≤ 24,0
24,0 1,00 5,5 0,20 k

24,0 < Cr + 3,3Mo
21,0 to 0,10 to 1,00 to 0,05 to
D4 0,040 1,00 6,0 0,040 0,030 3,00 + 16N
25,0 2,00 5,5 0,30
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

Duplex k

21,0 to 2,50 to 4,5 to 0,08 to

D6 0,030 1,00 2,00 0,040 0,015 — —
23,0 3,5 6,5 0,35
24,0 to 3,00 to 6,0 to 0,20 to
D8 0,030 1,00 2,00 0,035 0,015 2,50 W ≤ 1,00
26,0 4,5 8,0 0,35
a According to material standards, values are maximum unless otherwise indicated and the number of digits shown is in accordance with usual rules,
see e.g. EN 10088 (all parts).
b In case of dispute, product analysis applies.
c Selenium can be used to replace sulphur, however restrictions may apply to its use.
d If the nickel content is below 8,0 %, the minimum manganese content shall be 5,0 %.
e There is no minimum limit to the copper content provided that the nickel content is greater than 8,0 %.
f Molybdenum may be present at the discretion of the manufacturer. However, if for some applications limiting of the molybdenum content is essential,
this shall be stated at the time of ordering by the purchaser.
g If the chromium content is below 17,0 %, the minimum nickel content should be 12,0 %.
h For austenitic stainless steels having a maximum carbon content of 0,030 %, nitrogen may be present but shall not exceed 0,22 %.
i At the discretion of the manufacturer the carbon content may be higher as necessary in order to obtain the specified mechanical properties for larger
diameters, but shall not exceed 0,12 % for austenitic steels.
j Titanium and/or niobium may be included to improve corrosion resistance.
k This formula is used solely for the purpose of classifying duplex steels in accordance with this document (it is not intended to be used as a selection
criterion for corrosion resistance).

For the choice of the appropriate stainless steel grade suitable for a specific application, see ISO 3506-6.
Examples of stainless steels in accordance with Table 1 are also given in ISO 3506-6.

6.2 Heat treatment for martensitic stainless steel fasteners

Fasteners of grades and property classes C1-70, C3-80 and C4-70 shall be quenched and tempered.
Fasteners of grade and property class C1-110 shall be quenched and tempered, with a minimum
tempering temperature of 275 °C.

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved  7

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


6.3 Finish
Unless otherwise specified, fasteners in accordance with this document shall be supplied clean and bright.
For maximum corrosion resistance, passivation is recommended. Fasteners that are passivated in
accordance with ISO 16048 may additionally be referenced on the label with the letter “P” immediately
after the property class symbol (see 10.4).
NOTE 1 Passivated fasteners do not always show a bright surface finish.

Bolts, screws and studs are often used in bolted joints where the preload is achieved by torque
tightening. Therefore, lubrication of stainless steel fasteners is recommended in order to avoid galling
during tightening.
NOTE 2 Several parameters can increase the risk of galling for stainless steel fasteners in bolted assemblies
during tightening such as thread damage, high preload, high tightening speed.

NOTE 3 For the time being, requirements concerning surface discontinuities and torque/clamp force
properties are not specified in International Standards for stainless steel fasteners.

A controlled torque/clamp force relationship can be obtained for stainless steel fasteners by means
of an adequate finish, either just with a lubricant or with a coating, top coat and/or sealer including
lubricant. In this case, the designation and/or labelling should include the letters “Lu” immediately
after the symbol of the property class, e.g. A4-80Lu. In conjunction, appropriate measures and means of
tightening should be selected in order to achieve the required preload.
When specific requirements are necessary, it shall be agreed between the supplier and the purchaser at
the time of the order.

6.4 Corrosion resistance

Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

For corrosion resistance purpose, bolts, screws and studs should be mated with nuts and washers of
the same stainless steel grade (e.g. nuts A2 with bolts A2, etc.). Other combinations are possible (e.g.
nuts A4 with bolts D4), providing that:
— the component with the lowest corrosion resistance shall always be taken into account,
— the risk of galling should be considered, and
— it is strongly recommended that an experienced fastener metallurgist be consulted.
When using stainless steel fasteners with non-stainless steel parts in bolted joints, e.g. galvanized
steels, it is advised that the use of isolation components be considered in order to avoid galvanic
corrosion.

7 Mechanical and physical properties

When tested by the methods specified in Clause 9, the bolts, screws and studs of the specified stainless
steel grade and property class shall meet, at ambient temperature, all the applicable requirements
specified in Tables 2 to 8, regardless of which tests are performed during manufacture or final
inspection.
Clause 8 specifies the applicability of test methods for verifying that fasteners of different types and
dimensions fulfil the requirements in accordance with Tables 2 to 8.
Even if the material of the fasteners meets all relevant requirements specified in Clause 6, it is possible
that certain fasteners would not fulfil the tensile or torsional requirements because of the geometry
of their head (with reduced shear area in the head compared to the stress area in the thread, such
as countersunk, raised countersunk or low head) or because of the geometry of their shank (reduced
shear area in the unthreaded shank compared to the stress area in the thread). For such fasteners with
reduced loadability, see 8.2.2 and 10.1.3.

8  © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Although a great number of stainless steel grades and property classes are specified in this document,
this does not mean that all combinations are appropriate due to the properties of the material in
conjunction with the fastener geometry. Nevertheless, some combinations of grades and property
classes may not be available on the market. For non-standard fasteners, it is recommended that a
fastener expert be consulted.

Table 2 — Mechanical properties for bolts, screws and studs — Austenitic and duplex grades
Stress at 0,2 %
Tensile Elongation
Stainless steel Property non-proportional
strength a after fracture
grade class elongation b
Rmf Rpf A
min. min. min.
MPa MPa mm
50 500 210 0,6d
A1 A2
70 700 450 0,4d
A3
80 800 600 0,3d
50 500 210 0,6d
Austenitic A4 A5 70 700 450 0,4d
80 800 600 0,3d
100 1 000 800 0,2d
70 700 450 0,4d
A8 80 800 600 0,3d
100 1 000 800 0,2d
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

70 700 450 0,4d

D2 D4
Duplex 80 800 600 0,3d
D6 D8
100 1 000 800 0,2d
a Minimum ultimate tensile loads (Fmf ) are specified in Table 4 for coarse pitch thread, and in Table 6 for fine pitch thread.
b Minimum loads at Rpf (Fpf ) are specified in Table 5 for coarse pitch thread, and in Table 7 for fine pitch thread.

Table 3 — Mechanical properties for bolts, screws and studs — Martensitic and ferritic grades
Stress at 0,2 % Elongation Hardness
Stainless Property Tensile
non-proportional after
steel grade class strength a min. to max.
elongation b fracture
Rmf Rpf A
min. min. min. HV HRC HBW
MPa MPa mm
50 500 250 0,2d 155 to 220 — 147 to 209
C1 70 700 410 0,2d 220 to 330 20 to 34 209 to 314
Martensitic 110 c 1 100 820 0,2d 350 to 440 36 to 45 —
C3 80 800 640 0,2d 240 to 340 21 to 35 228 to 323
50 500 250 0,2d 155 to 220 — 147 to 209
C4
70 700 410 0,2d 220 to 330 20 to 34 209 to 314
45 450 250 0,2d 135 to 220 — 128 to 209
Ferritic F1 d
60 600 410 0,2d 180 to 285 — 171 to 271
a Minimum ultimate tensile loads (Fmf ) are specified in Table 4 for coarse pitch thread, and in Table 6 for fine pitch thread.
b Minimum loads at Rpf (Fpf ) are specified in Table 5 for coarse pitch thread, and in Table 7 for fine pitch thread.
c Hardened and tempered at a minimum tempering temperature of 275 °C.
d Only for nominal thread diameters d ≤ 24 mm.

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved  9

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Table 4 — Minimum ultimate tensile loads — Coarse pitch thread

Nominal
Minimum ultimate tensile load, Fmf a
stress
N
Thread area
d As,nom Austenitic and duplex steels Martensitic steels Ferritic steels
mm2 50 b 70 80 100 50 70 80 110 45 60
M3 5,03 2 520 3 530 4 030 5 040 2 520 3 530 4 030 5 540 2 270 3 020
M3,5 6,78 3 390 4 750 5 430 6 780 3 390 4 750 5 430 7 460 3 050 4 070
M4 8,78 4 390 6 150 7 030 8 780 4 390 6 150 7 030 9 660 3 960 5 270
M5 14,2 7 100 9 930 11 350 14 190 7 100 9 930 11 350 15 610 6 390 8 510
M6 20,1 10 070 14 090 16 100 20 130 10 070 14 090 16 100 22 140 9 060 12 080
M7 28,9 14 430 20 210 23 090 28 860 14 430 20 210 23 090 31 750 12 990 17 320
M8 36,6 18 310 25 630 29 290 36 610 18 310 25 630 29 290 40 270 16 480 21 970
M10 58,0 29 000 40 600 46 400 57 990 29 000 40 600 46 400 63 790 26 100 34 800
M12 84,3 42 140 58 990 67 420 84 270 42 140 58 990 67 420 92 700 37 920 50 560
M14 115 57 720 80 810 92 360 115 500 57 720 80 810 92 360 127 000 51 950 69 270
M16 157 78 340 109 700 125 400 156 700 78 340 109 700 125 400 172 400 70 510 94 010
M18 192 96 240 134 800 154 000 192 500 96 240 134 800 154 000 211 800 86 620 115 500
M20 245 122 400 171 400 195 900 244 800 122 400 171 400 195 900 269 300 110 200 146 900
M22 303 151 700 212 400 242 800 303 400 151 700 212 400 242 800 333 800 136 600 182 100
M24 353 176 300 246 800 282 100 352 600 176 300 246 800 282 100 387 800 158 700 211 600
M27 459 229 800 321 600 367 600 459 500 229 800 321 600 367 600 505 400 — —
M30 561 280 300 392 500 448 500 560 600 280 300 392 500 448 500 616 700 — —
M33 694 346 800 485 500 554 900 693 600 346 800 485 500 554 900 763 000 — —
M36
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

817 408 400 571 800 653 400 816 800 408 400 571 800 653 400 898 400 — —
M39 976 487 900 683 100 780 700 975 800 487 900 683 100 780 700 1 073 400 — —
a Fmf values have been calculated from the exact figures of As,nom as specified in 9.1.5 and rounded to the next upper 10 N up to 100 000 N, and to the next
100 N above.
b Property class 50 refers to the austenitic grades A1 to A5 only.

10  © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Table 5 — Minimum loads at Rpf — Coarse pitch thread

Nominal
Minimum load at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Fpf a
stress
N
Thread area
d As,nom Austenitic and duplex steels Martensitic steels Ferritic steels
mm2 50 b 70 80 100 50 70 80 110 45 60
M3 5,03 1 060 2 270 3 020 4 030 1 260 2 070 3 220 4 130 1 260 2 070
M3,5 6,78 1 430 3 050 4 070 5 430 1 700 2 780 4 340 5 560 1 700 2 780
M4 8,78 1 850 3 960 5 270 7 030 2 200 3 600 5 620 7 200 2 200 3 600
M5 14,2 2 980 6 390 8 510 11 350 3 550 5 820 9 080 11 630 3 550 5 820
M6 20,1 4 230 9 060 12 080 16 100 5 040 8 260 12 880 16 510 5 040 8 260
M7 28,9 6 070 12 990 17 320 23 090 7 220 11 840 18 480 23 670 7 220 11 840
M8 36,6 7 690 16 480 21 970 29 290 9 160 15 010 23 430 30 020 9 160 15 010
M10 58,0 12 180 26 100 34 800 46 400 14 500 23 780 37 120 47 560 14 500 23 780
M12 84,3 17 700 37 920 50 560 67 420 21 070 34 550 53 940 69 100 21 070 34 550
M14 115 24 250 51 950 69 270 92 360 28 860 47 340 73 890 94 670 28 860 47 340
M16 157 32 910 70 510 94 010 125 400 39 170 64 240 100 300 128 500 39 170 64 240
M18 192 40 420 86 620 115 500 154 000 48 120 78 920 123 200 157 900 48 120 78 920
M20 245 51 410 110 200 146 900 195 900 61 200 100 400 156 700 200 800 61 200 100 400
M22 303 63 720 136 600 182 100 242 800 75 850 124 400 194 200 248 800 75 850 124 400
M24 353 74 030 158 700 211 600 282 100 88 130 144 600 225 700 289 100 88 130 144 600
M27 459 96 480 206 800 275 700 367 600 114 900 188 400 294 100 376 800 — —
M30 561 117 800 252 300 336 400 448 500 140 200 229 900 358 800 459 700 — —
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

M33 694 145 700 312 100 416 200 554 900 173 400 284 400 443 900 568 800 — —
M36 817 171 600 367 600 490 100 653 400 204 200 334 900 522 800 669 800 — —
M39 976 205 000 439 100 585 500 780 700 244 000 400 100 624 500 800 200 — —
a Fpf values have been calculated from the exact figures of As,nom as specified in 9.1.5 and rounded to the next upper 10 N up to 100 000 N, and to the next
100 N above.
b Property class 50 refers to the austenitic grades A1 to A5 only.

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved  11

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Table 6 — Minimum ultimate tensile loads — Fine pitch thread

Nominal
Minimum ultimate tensile load, Fmf a
stress
N
Thread area
d×P As,nom Austenitic and duplex steels Martensitic steels Ferritic steels
mm2 50 b 70 80 100 50 70 80 110 45 60
M8×1 39,2 19 590 27 420 31 340 39 170 19 590 27 420 31 340 43 090 17 630 23 510
M10×1,25 61,2 30 600 42 840 48 960 61 200 30 600 42 840 48 960 67 320 27 540 36 720
M10×1 64,5 32 250 45 150 51 600 64 500 32 250 45 150 51 600 70 950 29 030 38 700
M12×1,5 88,1 44 070 61 690 70 510 88 130 44 070 61 690 70 510 96 940 39 660 52 880
M12×1,25 92,1 46 040 64 460 73 660 92 080 46 040 64 460 73 660 101 300 41 440 55 250
M14×1,5 125 62 280 87 190 99 640 124 600 62 280 87 190 99 640 137 100 56 050 74 730
M16×1,5 167 83 630 117 100 133 800 167 300 83 630 117 100 133 800 184 000 75 270 100 400
M18×1,5 216 108 200 151 400 173 000 216 300 108 200 151 400 173 000 237 900 97 310 129 800
M20×2 258 129 000 180 600 206 400 258 000 129 000 180 600 206 400 283 800 116 100 154 800
M20×1,5 272 135 800 190 100 217 300 271 600 135 800 190 100 217 300 298 700 122 200 163 000
M22×1,5 333 166 600 233 200 266 500 333 100 166 600 233 200 266 500 366 400 149 900 199 900
M24×2 384 192 300 269 100 307 600 384 500 192 300 269 100 307 600 422 900 173 000 230 700
M27×2 496 247 900 347 100 396 600 495 800 247 900 347 100 396 600 545 400 — —
M30×2 621 310 700 434 900 497 000 621 300 310 700 434 900 497 000 683 400 — —
M33×2 761 380 400 532 600 608 700 760 800 380 400 532 600 608 700 836 900 — —
M36×3 865 432 500 605 500 692 000 865 000 432 500 605 500 692 000 951 500 — —
M39×3 1030 514 200 719 900 822 800 1 028 400 514 200 719 900 822 800 1 131 300 — —
a Fmf have been calculated from the exact figures of As,nom as specified in 9.1.5 and rounded to the next upper 10 N up to 100 000 N, and to the next
100 N above.
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

b Property class 50 refers to the austenitic grades A1 to A5 only.

12  © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Table 7 — Minimum loads at Rpf — Fine pitch thread

Nominal
Minimum load at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Fpf a
stress
N
Thread area
d×P As,nom Austenitic and duplex steels Martensitic steels Ferritic steels
mm2 50 b 70 80 100 50 70 80 110 45 60
M8×1 39,2 8 230 17 630 23 510 31 340 9 800 16 060 25 070 32 120 9 800 16 060
M10×1,25 61,2 12 860 27 540 36 720 48 960 15 300 25 100 39 170 50 190 15 300 25 100
M10×1 64,5 13 550 29 030 38 700 51 600 16 130 26 450 41 280 52 890 16 130 26 450
M12×1,5 88,1 18 510 39 660 52 880 70 510 22 040 36 140 56 410 72 270 22 040 36 140
M12×1,25 92,1 19 340 41 440 55 250 73 660 23 020 37 750 58 930 75 500 23 020 37 750
M14×1,5 125 26 160 56 050 74 730 99 640 31 140 51 070 79 710 102 200 31 140 51 070
M16×1,5 167 35 130 75 270 100 400 133 800 41 820 68 580 107 100 137 200 41 820 68 580
M18×1,5 216 45 410 97 310 129 800 173 000 54 060 88 660 138 400 177 400 54 060 88 660
M20×2 258 54 180 116 100 154 800 206 400 54 180 116 100 154 800 211 600 54 180 116 100
M20×1,5 272 57 020 122 200 163 000 217 300 67 880 111 400 173 800 222 700 67 880 111 400
M22×1,5 333 69 950 149 900 199 900 266 500 83 270 136 600 213 200 273 200 83 270 136 600
M24×2 384 80 730 173 000 230 700 307 600 96 110 157 700 246 100 315 300 96 110 157 700
M27×2 496 104 200 223 100 297 500 396 600 124 000 203 300 317 300 406 600 — —
M30×2 621 130 500 279 600 372 800 497 000 155 400 254 700 397 600 509 400 — —
M33×2 761 159 800 342 400 456 500 608 700 190 200 312 000 487 000 623 900 — —
M36×3 865 181 700 389 300 519 000 692 000 216 300 354 700 553 600 709 300 — —
M39×3 1030 216 000 462 800 617 100 822 800 257 100 421 700 658 200 843 300 — —
a Fpf have been calculated from the exact figures of As,nom as specified in 9.1.5 and rounded to the next upper 10 N up to 100 000 N, and to the next
100 N above.
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

b Property class 50 refers to the austenitic grades A1 to A5 only.

When tensile test in accordance with Clause 9 is not feasible due to too short length (l < 2,5d or b < 2d),
minimum breaking torque is specified in Table 8 as alternative to tensile strength for bolts, screws and
studs with full loadability.
If torque testing is required:
— minimum torque values are specified in Table 8 only for austenitic grades of property classes 50, 70
and 80, and fasteners with coarse pitch thread,
— no values are available for austenitic grades of property class 100,
— no values are available for fasteners with fine pitch thread,
— no values are available for martensitic, ferritic and duplex (austenitic-ferritic) steel grades.
In these cases, minimum breaking torques shall be agreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser
at the time of the order.

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved  13

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Table 8 — Minimum breaking torque MB for austenitic grades

Minimum breaking torque a
MB
Thread Nm
d Property class
  50 70 80
M1,6 0,15 0,2 0,24
M2 0,3 0,4 0,48
M2,5 0,6 0,9 0,96
M3 1,1 1,6 1,8
M4 2,7 3,8 4,3
M5 5,5 7,8 8,8
M6 9,3 13 15
M8 23 32 37
M10 46 65 74
M12 80 110 130
M16 210 290 330
a The drive and/or recess of the fastener are not always able to apply the minimum
breaking torque specified in this table; this shall not be the cause for rejection.

8 Applicability of test methods and inspection

Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

8.1 Applicability of test methods

The applicability of the tests specified in Tables 9 and 10 depends on stainless steel grade and fastener
type and sizes. However, not all mechanical and physical properties specified in Tables 2 to 8 can be
tested on all types or sizes of fasteners, primarily for dimensional and/or loadability reasons.

8.2 Loadability of fasteners

8.2.1 Fasteners with full loadability

A stainless steel bolt or screw with full loadability or a stainless steel stud with full loadability is a
finished fastener, standardized or non-standardized which, when tested to fracture:
1) breaks in the free threaded length or in the unthreaded shank;
and
2) meets the minimum ultimate tensile load, Fmf, in accordance with Table 4 or 6 as relevant
and/or
meets the minimum breaking torque, MB, in accordance with Table 8 (only for austenitic stainless
steel fasteners M1,6 to M16 with coarse pitch thread).
The tests that can be performed for fasteners with full loadability are specified in Table 9 in relation to
stainless steel grade and fastener dimensions.

14  © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Table 9 — Applicability of tests for fasteners with full loadability

  Property and related test method
Stress at 0,2 % Elongation
Stainless Minimum tensile Minimum
non-proportional after Hardness
steel grade strength breaking torque
elongation fracture
  Rmf Rpf A MB
Wedge Hardness
  Tensile test Tensile test Tensile test Torsional test
tensile test test
  9.1 9.4 9.1 9.1 9.5 9.6
For all lengths
when d < 3 mm;
only for lengths
l < 2,5d when
d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm
A1 A2 A3 Not
l ≥ 2,5d Not relevant l ≥ 2,5d l ≥ 2,5d
A4 A5 A8 b ≥ 1d + 2P applicable
b ≥ 2d b ≥ 2d b ≥ 2 d
No value available
for property class
100 or for fine
pitch thread
d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm
C1 C3 C4 l ≥ 2,5d l ≥ 2,5d l ≥ 2,5d l ≥ 2,5d No value available Applicable
b ≥ 2d b ≥ 2d b ≥ 2d b ≥ 2d
d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm
F1 l ≥ 2,5d Not relevant l ≥ 2,5d l ≥ 2,5d No value available Applicable
b ≥ 2d b ≥ 2d b ≥ 2d
d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm d ≥ 3 mm
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

D2 D4 Not
l ≥ 2,5d Not relevant l ≥ 2,5d l ≥ 2,5d No value available
D6 D8 applicable
b ≥ 2d b ≥ 2d b ≥ 2d
Notes a,b b,c a,b a,b c —
a For fully threaded studs, total length lt ≥ 3,5d.
b For l < 2,5d (or l
t < 3,5d for fully threaded studs), testing and test conditions shall be agreed between the purchaser and
the manufacturer.
c Only for bolts and screws (not for studs).

8.2.2 Fasteners which have reduced loadability due to their geometry

A stainless steel bolt or screw with reduced loadability or a stainless steel stud with reduced loadability
is a finished fastener, standardized or non-standardized, with properties in accordance with its relevant
grade and property class as specified in Tables 1 to 3 but which, due to its geometry, does not fulfil the
tensile or torsional requirements when tested to fracture.
Basically, there are two geometrical reasons for reduced loadability of fasteners compared with the
ultimate tensile load of the thread:
a) the head design of bolts and screws with:
— low head with or without external driving feature, or
— low round head or low cylindrical head with internal driving feature, or
— countersunk head with internal driving feature;
b) the shank diameter of the fasteners which is especially designed for applications where full
loadability in accordance with this document is not required or even not desired, e.g. screws with
waisted shank.

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved  15

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


For stainless steel fasteners with reduced loadability, the material shall be in accordance with Table 1
and the manufacturing process shall be suitable to achieve the mechanical properties specified in
Table 2 or 3, even if the fastener can only be tensile tested in its threaded shank; see Table 10.
The tests that can be performed for fasteners with reduced loadability are specified in Table 10 in
relation to stainless steel grade and fastener dimensions. Wedge tensile test and torsional test are not
applicable.

Table 10 — Applicability of tests for fasteners with reduced loadability

  Property and related test method
Minimum Stress at 0,2 %
Stainless steel Elongation Minimum
tensile non-proportional Hardness
grade after fracture tensile load
strength elongation
Rmf Rpf A Fmf
Tensile test Tensile test Tensile test Tensile test Hardness test
9.1, 9.3 9.1 9.1 9.2 9.6
A1 A2 A3
Not applicable
A4 A5 A8
C1 C3 C4 d ≥ 3 mm for Applicable
d ≥ 3 mm for all lengths, when b ≥ 3d a
F1 all lengths Applicable
D2 D4
Not applicable
D6 D8
a A nominal thread length of at least 3d is necessary to carry out the tensile test in accordance with Figure 2 d), i.e. 1d of
free threaded length and additional 1d of engaged threads at both ends.

8.3 Manufacturer’s inspection

Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

Fasteners produced in accordance with this document shall be capable of conforming to all applicable
requirements specified in Clauses 6 and 7, when using the applicable tests specified in Clause 8 and the
test methods specified in Clause 9.
This document does not mandate which of the tests the manufacturer shall perform on each
manufacturing lot. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to apply the suitable methods of their
choice, such as in-process control or final inspection, to ensure that the manufactured lot does indeed
conform to all of the specified requirements. For additional information, see ISO 16426.
In case of dispute, the test methods in accordance with Clauses 8 and 9 shall apply.

8.4 Supplier’s inspection

The supplier may control and/or test the fasteners they provide using the methods of their choice
(periodic evaluation of the manufacturer, checking of test results from the manufacturer, tests on the
fasteners themselves, etc.), provided the chemical, mechanical and physical properties specified in
Clauses 6 and 7 are met.
In case of dispute, the test methods in accordance with Clauses 8 and 9 shall apply.

8.5 Purchaser’s inspection

The purchaser may control and/or test the delivered fasteners by using the test methods specified in
Clause 9.
In case of dispute, the test methods in accordance with Clauses 8 and 9 shall apply.

16  © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


8.6 Delivery of test results

If the purchaser requires test results from the supplier, the type of test report shall be agreed upon at
the time of order. It shall be established in accordance with ISO 16228, unless otherwise specified. The
type of test report (F2.2, F3.1 or F3.2) and any additional or specific test shall also be specified by the
purchaser and agreed upon at the time of order.

9 Test methods

9.1 Tensile test for fasteners

9.1.1 General

The purpose of this tensile test is to determine simultaneously or separately:

— the tensile strength, Rmf, and
— the stress at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Rpf, and
— the elongation after fracture, A.
This tensile test applies to full-size fasteners having the following specifications:
— all stainless steel grades;
— all property classes;
— 3 mm ≤ d ≤ 39 mm;
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

— bolts, screws and studs (with unthreaded shank) with full loadability, nominal length l ≥ 2,5d and
thread length b ≥ 2d;
— unthreaded shank diameter ds > d2 or ds ≈ d2;
— fully threaded studs with total length ≥ 3,5d.
This tensile test applies also to bolts and screws with reduced loadability due to head design provided
that the thread length b ≥ 3d.
The tensile test machine shall be in accordance with ISO 7500-1, class 1 or better. Side thrust on the
fastener shall be avoided, e.g. by self-aligning grips.
The grips and adaptors shall be as follows:
— hardness of 45 HRC minimum;
— hole diameter, dh, in accordance with Table 12;
— thread tolerance class 5H6G for the threaded adaptors.
The testing device shall be sufficiently rigid to avoid deformation that could influence the determination
of the load at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Fpf, or the elongation after fracture, A.
All length measurements shall be made with an accuracy of 0,05 mm or better.

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
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a)   Bolts b)   Screws

c)   Studs with unthreaded shank d)   Fully threaded studs

Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

Key
1 metal-end of the stud
2 nut-end of the stud
dh hole diameter
lth free threaded length ≥ 1d
L2 clamping length

Figure 2 — Example of testing devices for tensile test

Fasteners shall be tested as received.

For fasteners with reduced loadability, this test shall be carried out on the threaded shank when b ≥ 3d,
as shown for fully threaded studs in Figure 2 d). The head or the reduced shank may be removed as
relevant.
The fastener shall be mounted into adaptors as shown in Figure 2. The length of thread engagement in
the threaded adaptor(s) shall be 1d ± 1P. The free threaded length, lth, subjected to the load shall be 1d
minimum.
The tensile test shall be carried out in accordance with ISO 6892-1. The speed of testing, as determined
with a free-running cross-head, shall not exceed 10 mm/min up to the load Fpf and 25 mm/min beyond.

9.1.2 Test procedure for the simultaneous determination of Rmf, Rpf, and A 

The load, F, shall be measured continuously until fracture occurs, either directly by means of an
adequate electronic device (e.g. microprocessor), or on the curve of load against displacement (see
ISO 6892-1); the curve can be plotted either automatically or graphically.

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For acceptable accurate graphical measurement, the scale of the curve shall be such that the slope in
the elastic range (straight part of the curve) lies between 30° and 45° against the load axis.

Key
ΔL displacement, mm
F load, N
a Point of fracture.

Figure 3 — Load-displacement curve

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The following shall be determined in accordance with Figure 3:

a) The maximum load, Fmf.
b) The load at 0,2 % of non-proportional elongation, Fpf, directly on the load-displacement curve, as
follows:
1) the slope in the elastic range (straight part of the curve) shall be determined;
2) a parallel line shall be drawn at a distance equal to 0,2 % of L2 on the displacement axis ΔL;
3) the intersection between this line and the curve corresponds to the load Fpf.
In case of doubt, the slope in the elastic range shall be determined by drawing a line intersecting
the two points of the curve and corresponding to 0,3 Fpf,min and 0,6 Fpf,min specified in Table 5 or 7.
c) The elongation, A, as follows:
1) a parallel line to the slope in the elastic range (straight part of the curve) shall be drawn
through the point of fracture, which has an intersecting point with the displacement axis;
2) the elongation A shall be directly determined on the displacement axis ΔL in accordance with
Figure 3.

9.1.3 Reference test procedure for the determination of stress at 0,2 % non-proportional
elongation, Rpf 

The test shall be carried out by measuring the load and elongation of the fastener when subjected to
axial tensile load; see Figure 4. When this test is also used for the determination of elongation after
fracture A (see 9.1.7), it shall be performed until fracture occurs. The speed of testing, as determined
with a free-running cross-head, shall not exceed 10 mm/min up to the load Fpf and 25 mm/min beyond.

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Figure 4 — Example of testing device with an extensometer

Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

The elongation shall be determined between the top of the head and the end of the fastener or between
the two ends for studs; see L0 in Figure 4. When an extensometer is used, it shall be in accordance with
ISO 9513, class 2 or better.
The curve of load against elongation shall be drawn as shown in Figure 5.

Key
ΔL elongation, mm
F load, N

Figure 5 — Load-elongation curve for determination of stress at 0,2 % non-proportional

elongation, Rpf 

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The clamping length, L2, shall be calculated as follows:

— for bolts and screws, it is the distance between the bearing surface of the head and the threaded
adaptor; see Figures 2 a) and b);
— for studs with unthreaded shank, it is the distance between the two threaded adaptors; see
Figure 2 c);
— for fully threaded studs and for fasteners with reduced loadability, it is the distance between the
two threaded adaptors; see Figure 2 d).
0,2 % of L2 shall be applied to scale to the horizontal axis of the load-elongation curve, 0P. The same
value shall be plotted horizontally from the straight-line portion of the curve as QR. A line shall be
drawn through P and R. The intersection S of this line with the load-elongation curve corresponds to
the load Fpf on the vertical axis.

9.1.4 Alternative test procedure for the determination of elongation, A 

The total length of the fastener, L0, shall be measured; see Figure 6 a). The fastener shall be mounted in
the adaptors in accordance with Figure 2. It shall be axially loaded until fracture occurs. The speed of
testing, as determined with a free-running cross-head, shall not exceed 10 mm/min up to the load Fpf
and 25 mm/min beyond.
After fracture, the two broken pieces shall be fitted together and the length, L1, shall be measured as
shown in Figure 6 b).
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a) Before the test

b) After fracture

Figure 6 — Determination of elongation after fracture, A 

The elongation after fracture, A, shall be calculated as follows:

A = L1 – L0

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9.1.5 Test results and requirements for tensile strength, Rmf 

The tensile strength Rmf, based on the nominal stress area As,nom and the ultimate tensile load Fmf
measured during the test, shall be calculated as follows:
Fmf
Rmf =
As ,nom
with

π  d2 + d3 
2
As ,nom =  
4 2 
where

  d2 is the basic pitch diameter of external thread; see ISO 724;

  d3 is the minor diameter of external thread.

H
d3 = d1 −
6
with

  d1 basic minor diameter of external thread; see ISO 724;

  H height of the fundamental triangle of the thread; see ISO 68-1.

Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

Values of As,nom given in Tables 4 and 6 have been rounded to 3 significant digits.
In order to meet the requirements, the fracture shall occur in the free threaded length or in the
unthreaded shank. The fracture shall not occur in the head:
— for bolts with unthreaded shank, the fracture shall not occur in the transition section between the
head and the shank;
— for screws threaded to the head, the fracture which causes failure may extend or spread into the
transition section between the head and the thread or into the head before separation, provided
that it originates in the free threaded length.
Rmf shall meet the requirements specified in Table 2 or 3. The minimum ultimate tensile load Fmf,min
specified in Table 4 or 6 shall also be met.

9.1.6 Test results and requirements for stress at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Rpf 

The stress at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Rpf, based on the nominal stress area As,nom and the
load at 0,2 % Fpf measured during the test, shall be calculated as follows:
Fpf
Rpf =
As,nom
Values of As,nom given in Tables 5 and 7 have been rounded to 3 significant digits.
Rpf shall meet the requirements specified in Table 2 or 3. The minimum loads, Fpf, specified in Table 5 or
7 shall also be met.
In case of dispute, the reference test method of 9.1.3 performed with the extensometer shall apply for
the determination of the stress at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Rpf.

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9.1.7 Test results and requirements for elongation after fracture, A 

The value for elongation after fracture, A, shall meet the requirements specified in Table 2 or 3.
In case of dispute, the reference test method in accordance with 9.1.3 with the extensometer shall apply
for the determination of the elongation after fracture, A.

9.2 Tensile test for bolts and screws with reduced loadability due to head design

9.2.1 General

The purpose of this tensile test is to determine the ultimate tensile load, Fmf, for bolts and screws with
reduced loadability, i.e. not expected to break in the threaded or unthreaded shank due to head design;
see 8.2.2 and Figure 7.

Figure 7 — Example of broken screw with reduced loadability due to head design

Only the ultimate tensile load, Fmf, shall be determined in accordance with 9.1. Tensile strength Rmf,
elongation after fracture, A, and stress at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Rpf, do not apply to bolts
and screws with reduced loadability due to head design.
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In accordance with 10.1.3, these bolts and screws with reduced loadability that cannot be tensile tested
in the threaded shank (b < 3d) in accordance with 9.1 shall not reference the property class, but only
the stainless steel grade.
For bolts and screws with thread length b ≥ 3d, the tensile test shall additionally be performed on
the threaded shank in accordance with 9.1, and in this case, they are designated and marked with the
property class preceded by the digit “zero” to show the reduced loadability, in accordance with 10.1.3.

9.2.2 Test procedure

See 9.1.2.

9.2.3 Test results and requirements for ultimate tensile load, Fmf 

The maximum load measured during the test shall be equal or above the minimum ultimate tensile
load, Fmf, specified in the relevant product standard, or shall be agreed between the purchaser and the
supplier at the time of the order.

9.3 Tensile test for fasteners with reduced loadability due to shank design

9.3.1 General

The purpose of this tensile test is to determine the tensile strength for bolts, screws and studs with an
unthreaded shank diameter ds < d2 especially designed to break in the unthreaded shank when tested
to fracture; see 8.2.2 and Figure 8.

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Figure 8 — Examples of fasteners with reduced loadability due to shank design

Only the tensile strength shall be determined in accordance with 9.1. Elongation after fracture, A, stress
at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Rpf, and minimum ultimate tensile loads of Tables 4 and 6 do not
apply to fasteners with reduced loadability due to shank design.
NOTE These fasteners are designated and marked in accordance with 10.1.3, with the property class
preceded by the digit “zero” to show the reduced loadability.

9.3.2 Test procedure

See 9.1.2.

9.3.3 Test results for tensile strength

The calculation of the tensile strength, Rmds, based on the cross-sectional area of the unthreaded shank,
Ads, and the ultimate tensile load, Fmds, measured during the test, shall be calculated as follows:
Fmds
Rmds =
Ads
with
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

π 2
Ads = d
4 s
The fracture shall occur in the shank, and Rmds shall meet the requirements specified in Table 2 or 3
for Rmf.

9.4 Wedge tensile test

9.4.1 General

The purpose of this tensile test is to determine simultaneously:

— the tensile strength, Rmf, and
— the integrity of the transition section between the head and the unthreaded shank or the thread.
This tensile test applies on full-size bolts and screws having the following specifications:
— martensitic stainless steel grades;
— all property classes;
— bolts and screws (not studs) with full loadability;
— flat bearing surface or flat serrated surface under the head;
— 3 mm ≤ d ≤ 39 mm;
— nominal length l ≥ 2,5d and thread length b ≥ 2d.

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The tensile testing machine, grips and adaptors shall as specified in 9.1.1, except for the following:
— tooling features altering the effect of the wedge angle α shall not be used;
— the testing device shall be sufficiently rigid to ensure that bending occurs in the transition section
between the head and the unthreaded shank or the thread.
The wedge shall be in accordance with Figure 9, Tables 11 and 12.

 
a Radius or chamfer of 45° (see Table 12).

Figure 9 — Wedge loading for bolts and screws

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Table 11 — Wedge angle α for tensile test under wedge loading

Screws threaded to the head
Nominal thread Bolts and screws
diameter with unthreaded shank length Bolts and screws
d ls ≥ 2d with unthreaded shank length
mm ls < 2d
α ± 30'
3 ≤ d ≤ 20 10° 6°
20 < d ≤ 39 6° 4°

Where a bolt or screw with head bearing diameter greater than 1,7d fails the wedge tensile test, a new
fastener from the same manufacturing lot can be taken and its head machined to 1,7d to perform the test.

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Table 12 — Hole diameters for adaptors and wedge, and wedge radius or chamfer
Dimensions in millimetres
Nominal dh a,b r1 c Nominal dh a,b r1 c
thread thread
diameter, d min. max. nom. diameter, d min. max. nom.
3 3,4 3,58 0,7 16 17,5 17,77 1,3
3,5 3,9 4,08 0,7 18 20,0 20,33 1,3
4 4,5 4,68 0,7 20 22,0 22,33 1,6
5 5,5 5,68 0,7 22 24,0 24,33 1,6
6 6,6 6,82 0,7 24 26,0 26,33 1,6
7 7,6 7,82 0,8 27 30,0 30,33 1,6
8 9,0 9,22 0,8 30 33,0 33,39 1,6
10 11,0 11,27 0,8 33 36,0 36,39 1,6
12 13,5 13,77 0,8 36 39,0 39,39 1,6
14 15,5 15,77 1,3 39 42,0 42,39 1,6
a Medium series in accordance with ISO 273.
b For square neck bolts, the hole shall be adapted to accommodate the square neck.
c The radius or chamfer r1 is specified for product grades A and B; for product grade C, it should be in accordance with
da,max − ds,min
the following formula: rc = + 0 , 2 . The tolerance on r1 and rc should be ±0,1 mm.
2

9.4.2 Test procedure

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The fastener shall be tested as received.

The wedge shall be placed under the head of the fastener in accordance with Figure 9, and the fastener
shall be mounted into adaptors as shown in Figure 2. The threaded length mated with the adapter shall
be 1d ± 1P.
The tensile test under wedge loading shall be carried out in accordance with ISO 6892-1. The speed of
testing, as determined with a free-running cross-head, shall not exceed 25 mm/min. The tensile test
shall be continued until fracture occurs.
The ultimate tensile load, Fmf, shall be measured.

9.4.3 Test results and requirements

For test results and requirements, see 9.1.5.

9.5 Torsional test

9.5.1 General

The purpose of this torsional test is to determine the breaking torque, MB, for small bolts and screws, or
for bolts and screws which cannot be tensile tested due to too short length.
This test applies to fasteners having the following specifications:
— bolts and screws with full loadability;
— bolts and screws with nominal thread diameter 1,6 mm ≤ d < 3 mm for all lengths, and
3 mm ≤ d ≤ 16 mm for length l < 2,5d;
— thread length b ≥ 1d + 2P.

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Minimum breaking torques are specified in Table 8 only for bolts and screws with austenitic stainless
steel grade and property classes 50, 70 and 80, with coarse pitch thread. Fasteners with austenitic
stainless steel grade and property class 100, other stainless steel grades and fasteners with fine pitch
thread can be tested but the minimum breaking torque has to be agreed between the supplier and the
purchaser at the time of the order.
For test apparatus, see Figure 10.
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

Key
1 clamping device (threaded insert or threaded die)
2 mating threaded insert with a blind hole
3 mating split threaded die

Figure 10 — Example of test apparatus for the determination of the breaking torque, MB

The torque measuring device shall have an accuracy of ±6 % of the values to be measured.

9.5.2 Test procedure

The fastener shall be tested as received. For bolts and screws with recess or internal drive which are
too weak for the application of the specified minimum breaking torque, the outside diameter of the
head may be machined in order to get a drivable shape (e.g. two across flat surfaces).
The bolt or screw shall be clamped into the clamping device over a threaded length of 1d minimum,
exclusive of the end or point. At least two full threads shall project above the clamping device.
The clamping device and driving tool shall be aligned with the axis of the fastener.
The torque shall be applied to the bolt or screw in a continuously increasing manner until fracture occurs.
The maximum torque occurring during the test shall be recorded.

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
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9.5.3 Test results and requirements

The fastener shall meet the minimum breaking torque, MB, specified in Table 8.
NOTE No value is specified in Table 8 for stainless steel groups other than austenitic steels, nor for fasteners
with fine pitch thread, property class 100 and fasteners with reduced loadability due to shank design.

For bolts, and screws which can be tensile tested, the tensile test in accordance with 9.1 shall be the
reference test.

9.6 Hardness test

9.6.1 General

This test applies to fasteners having the following specifications:

— martensitic and ferritic stainless steel grades;
— all property classes;
— all sizes;
— any shape.

9.6.2 Test procedure

The fastener shall be tested as received.

The hardness test shall be carried out in accordance with ISO  6507-1 (HV), ISO  6508-1 (HRC) or
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

ISO 6506-1 (HBW). The Vickers hardness test shall be performed with a minimum load of 98 N. The
Brinell hardness test shall be performed with a load equal to 30D2, expressed in newtons.
The hardness shall be determined on a transverse section through the threaded portion. The transverse
section shall be taken 1d back from the end of the fastener with a suitable process where hardness is
not altered, and the surface shall be suitably prepared.
NOTE The term “core hardness” is commonly used for hardness determined by this test method.

Hardness readings shall be performed in the area between the axis and the half-radius position in
accordance with Figure 11.

Key
1 axis of the fastener
2 half-radius area (radius of 0,25d)

Figure 11 — Half-radius area for hardness determination

Three readings spaced about 120° apart shall be performed when the size of the area allows it. The
hardness value shall be the average of the three readings.

9.6.3 Test results and requirements

The hardness value shall be within the limits specified in Table 3.

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In case of dispute, the Vickers hardness test with HV10 shall be the reference test method.

10 Fastener marking and labelling

10.1 Fastener marking

10.1.1 General requirements for marking

Marking of the fasteners consists of:

— the stainless steel grade, as specified in Clause 5 (see Figure 1),
— optional additional letter "L", as specified in 10.1.3,
— the hyphen,
— the property class symbol, as specified in 10.1.2 or 10.1.3,
and
— the manufacturer’s identification mark, as specified in 10.2.
Fasteners manufactured to the requirements of this document shall be designated in accordance with
the designation system specified in Clause 5 and shall be marked in accordance with Clause 10.
The designation system specified in Clause 5 shall only be used and marking shall only be affixed in
accordance with Clause 10 when all applicable requirements of this document are met:
— chemical composition as specified in Table 1,
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

and
— mechanical and physical properties specified in Clauses 6 and 7, when tested in accordance with
Clauses 8 and 9.
For fasteners with reduced loadability that cannot be tensile tested in the threaded shank due to its too
short length (b < 3d), only the stainless steel grade shall be marked and the property class shall not be
referenced.
The fastener marking shall be included during the manufacturing process. It shall be indented or
embossed. The height of embossed marking on the top of the head shall not be included in the head
height dimension.

10.1.2 Marking of property class for fasteners with full loadability

The property class marking symbol for fasteners with full loadability shall be as specified in Table 13.

Table 13 — Property class marking symbol for fasteners with full loadability
Property class 45 50 60 70 80 100 110
Marking symbol 45 50 60 70 80 100 110

10.1.3 Marking of property class for fasteners with reduced loadability

The property class marking symbol for fasteners with reduced loadability that can be tensile tested in
accordance with 9.1 shall be as specified in Table 14, with the preceding digit “0”.
When reduced loadability applies to fasteners in accordance with a product standard, the marking
symbols in accordance with Table 14 shall apply to all sizes specified in the product standard, even if
some sizes would fulfil all requirements for full loadability.

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
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Table 14 — Property class marking symbol for fasteners with reduced loadability that can be
tensile tested in accordance with 9.1
Property class 45 50 60 70 80 100 110
Marking symbol a 045 050 060 070 080 0100 0110
a For fasteners with reduced loadability that cannot be tensile tested in the threaded shank due to the length being too
short (b < 3d), the property class shall not be referenced.

10.1.4 Additional marking

For low-carbon austenitic stainless steels with carbon content not exceeding 0,030 %, fasteners may
additionally be marked with the letter "L" after the stainless steel grade and before the hyphen.
EXAMPLE A4L-80.

For fasteners manufactured to a specific order, any additional marking should be applied to both the
fastener and the labelling. For fasteners delivered from stock, the additional marking should be applied
to the labelling.

10.2 Manufacturer’s identification mark

The manufacturer’s identification mark shall be included during the manufacturing process on all
fasteners which are marked with stainless steel grade and property class symbol.
The manufacturer’s identification mark is also recommended on fasteners which are not marked with
stainless steel grade and/or the property class symbol.
A distributor who distributes fasteners that are marked with their own identification mark shall be
considered to be the manufacturer.
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10.3 Marking on the fasteners

10.3.1 Hexagon head bolts and screws

All hexagon head bolts and screws of nominal thread diameter d ≥ 5 mm shall be marked for all stainless
steel grades and all property classes, with the stainless steel grade in accordance with Clause 6, with
the property class symbol in accordance with Table 13 (fasteners with full loadability) or Table 14
(fasteners with reduced loadability that can be tensile tested with b ≥ 3d in accordance with 9.1), and
with the manufacturer’s identification mark in accordance with 10.2.
Hexagon head bolts and screws shall be marked preferably on the top of the head by indenting or
embossing, or on the side of the head by indenting (see Figure 12). In the case of bolts and screws with
flange, marking shall be on the flange when the manufacturing process does not allow marking on the
top of the head.

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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Key
1 manufacturer’s identification mark
2 stainless steel grade
3 property class symbol (full loadability)

Figure 12 — Examples of marking for hexagon head bolts and screws with full loadability

10.3.2 Hexagon socket or hexalobular socket bolts and screws

Hexagon socket bolts and screws and hexalobular socket bolts and screws of nominal thread diameter
d  ≥  5  mm shall be marked for all stainless steel grades and all property classes, with the stainless
steel grade in accordance with Clause 6, with the property class symbol in accordance with Table 13
(fasteners with full loadability) or Table 14 (fasteners with reduced loadability that can be tensile tested
with b  ≥  3d in accordance with 9.1), and with the manufacturer’s identification mark in accordance
with 10.2.
For cap screws and cheese head bolts and screws, the marking shall be made preferably on the top of
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

the head by indenting or embossing, or on the side of the head by indenting (see Figure 13).

Key
1 manufacturer’s identification mark
2 stainless steel grade
3 property class symbol (full loadability)

Figure 13 — Examples of marking for hexagon socket head cap screws with full loadability

An example of marking for fasteners with reduced loadability and b ≥ 3d, that can be tensile tested in
accordance with 9.1, is shown in Figure 14.

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved  31

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
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Key
1 manufacturer’s identification mark
2 stainless steel grade
3 property class symbol (reduced loadability)

Figure 14 — Example of marking for screws with reduced loadability that can be tensile tested

For bolts and screws with reduced loadability that cannot be tensile tested in the threaded shank due
to the length being too short (b < 3d), the property class symbol specified in Table 14 shall not be used
(see Figure 15).

Key
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

1 manufacturer’s identification mark

2 stainless steel grade (no property class)

Figure 15 — Example of marking for screws with reduced loadability that cannot be tensile tested

10.3.3 Other types of bolts and screws

Other types of bolts and screws shall be marked in the same way where it is possible to do so, and
preferably on the head.

10.3.4 Studs (one-end and double-end studs)

Studs of nominal thread diameter d ≥ 5 mm should be marked for all stainless steel grades and all
property classes, with the stainless steel grade in accordance with Clause 6, with the property class
symbol in accordance with Table 13 (studs with full loadability) or Table 14 (studs with reduced
loadability, e.g. with waisted shank), and with the manufacturer’s identification mark in accordance
with 10.2. The marking shall be on the unthreaded shank of the stud; see Figure 16 a).
If marking on the unthreaded shank is not possible, marking of the stud on the nut-end with only the
stainless steel grade is permissible; see Figure 16 b).

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a)   Marking on the unthreaded shank b)   Alternative marking

for studs with full loadability on the nut-end for studs
Key
1 manufacturer’s identification mark
2 stainless steel grade
3 property class symbol (full loadability)
4 stud metal-end
5 stud nut-end

Figure 16 — Examples of marking for studs

10.3.5 Fully threaded studs

Fully threaded studs may be identified by means of colour marking.

10.3.6 Left-hand thread marking

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Bolts and screws with left-hand thread and nominal diameter d ≥ 5 mm shall additionally be marked
with a left pointing arrow, preferably on the top of the head or at the end of the fastener (see Figure 17).

Figure 17 — Examples of marking for left-hand thread

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved  33

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


10.4 Marking of the packages (labelling)

All packages for all types of fasteners of all sizes shall be marked through labelling. The labelling shall
include:
— the manufacturer’s and/or distributor’s identification mark and/or name,
— the stainless steel grade,
— the optional letter "L" (immediately after the grade) for low carbon austenitic stainless steel, as
specified in 10.1.3,
— the property class symbol (after the hyphen) in accordance with Table 13 for fasteners with full
loadability (e.g. 70), or with Table 14 for fasteners with reduced loadability that can be tensile tested
in accordance with 9.1 (e.g. 070),
— the optional letter "P" (after the property class) when fasteners have been passivated, as
specified in 6.3,
— the optional letters "Lu" (in the last position in the designation) when fasteners have been lubricated,
as specified in 6.3,
and
— the manufacturing lot number, as specified in ISO 1891-4.
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 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Annex A
(informative)

Mechanical properties at elevated temperatures — Application at

low temperatures

A.1 General
When bolts, screws and studs with ISO metric thread are properly designed and the adequate grade
and property class have been selected in accordance with this document, the mating nuts conforming to
ISO 3506-2 are designed so that the nut will function at elevated or low temperatures in the bolted joint.
Therefore, it is usually sufficient to consider the mechanical properties of bolts, screws and studs only.
NOTE For stainless steel and nickel alloy fasteners intended for high temperature applications, see
ISO 3506-5.

A.2 Stress at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation, Rpf, at elevated temperatures

Values of stress at 0,2 % non-proportional elongation for fasteners to be used at elevated temperatures
(expressed as a percentage of the values of Rpf at room temperature) are given in Table A.1.
WARNING — The values given in this annex are for guidance only. Users should understand that
the actual chemistry, the load applied to the fastener in the bolted joint and the environment can
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

cause significant variation. If loads are fluctuating, operating periods at elevated temperatures
are great and/or the possibility of stress corrosion is high, it is advisable to consult an
experienced fastener metallurgist.

Table A.1 — Influence of temperature on Rpf for fasteners

Temperature
Stainless steel grade +100 °C +200 °C +300 °C +400 °C
Rpf at elevated temperature,
in % of the value at room temperature
(property classes 70 and 80 only a,b)
A2 A3 A4 A5 A8 85 80 75 70
C1 95 90 80 65
C3 90 85 80 60
D2 D4 D6 D8 85 75 c c
a No data is currently available for property class 100.
b For austenitic stainless steel grades and property class 50, the fastener manufacturer should be
consulted; however, an estimate may be possible on the basis of EN 10269[15] for material in the solution
annealed condition (+AT).
c For duplex stainless steels, exposure to temperatures above +250  °C is not advised due to the
possibility of initiating 475 °C embrittlement (α+α′ phases). For temperatures of 250 °C to 315 °C inclusive,
it is advisable to consult an experienced fastener metallurgist (see also ISO 3506-5 and ISO 3506-6).

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved  35

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


A.3 Application at low temperatures

Austenitic stainless steel bolts, screws and studs can be used at low temperatures down to –196 °C.
NOTE –196 °C is the liquid nitrogen temperature.

However, for bolts and screws containing a molybdenum element intended to be used at temperatures
below –60  °C, ductility could be reduced, and it is advisable to consult an experienced fastener
metallurgist.
Duplex (austenitic-ferritic) stainless steels can be used at sub-zero temperatures. For temperatures
below –40 °C, it is advisable to consult an experienced fastener metallurgist.
The acceptance criteria should be agreed between the purchaser and the supplier at the time of the order.
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36  © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 3506-1:2020
ISO 3506-1:2020(E)


Bibliography

[1] ISO 68-1, ISO general purpose screw threads — Basic profile — Part 1: Metric screw threads
[2] ISO 261, ISO general purpose metric screw threads — General plan
[3] ISO 262, ISO general purpose metric screw threads — Selected sizes for screws, bolts and nuts
[4] ISO 273, Fasteners — Clearance holes for bolts and screws
[5] ISO 724, ISO general-purpose metric screw threads — Basic dimensions
[6] ISO 898-1, Mechanical properties of fasteners made of carbon steel and alloy steel — Part 1: Bolts,
screws and studs with specified property classes — Coarse thread and fine pitch thread
[7] ISO 965-1, ISO general purpose metric screw threads — Tolerances — Part 1: Principles and
basic data
[8] ISO  965-2, ISO general purpose metric screw threads — Tolerances — Part 2: Limits of sizes for
general purpose external and internal screw threads — Medium quality
[9] ISO 3506-2, Fasteners — Mechanical properties of corrosion-resistant stainless steel fasteners —
Part 2: Nuts with specified grades and property classes
[10] ISO  3506-3, Mechanical properties of corrosion-resistant stainless steel fasteners — Part 3: Set
screws and similar fasteners not under tensile stress
[11] ISO 3506-53), Fasteners — Mechanical properties of corrosion-resistant stainless-steel fasteners —
Licensed copy:Arup, 27/08/2021, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

Part 5: Special fasteners (also including fasteners from nickel alloys) for high temperature
applications
[12] ISO 16048, Passivation of corrosion-resistant stainless-steel fasteners
[13] ISO 16426, Fasteners — Quality assurance system
[14] EN  10269, Steels and nickel alloys for fasteners with specified elevated and/or low temperature
properties
[15] EN 10088 (all parts), Stainless steels

3) Under preparation.

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved  37

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