New ASTM F3125 Standard Released in 2015

ASTM released a new standard in 2015 (after the release of the 2015 ASTM Volume 01.08) which consolidates six current structural bolting standards under one umbrella specification. The new standard, ASTM F3125, is titled “Specification for High Strength Structural Bolts, Steel and Alloy Steel, Heat Treated, 120 ksi (830 MPa) and150 ksi (1040 MPa) Minimum Tensile Strength, Inch and Metric Dimensions” and it includes the following existing standards:

• ASTM A325 and ASTM A325M, specifications for steel heat-treated structural bolts;

• ASTM A490 and ASTM A490M, specifications for steel alloy heat-treated structural bolts; and

• ASTM F1852 and ASTM F2280, specifications for “twist off” type bolt/nut/washer assemblies (our descriptions refer to these as “A325 Tru Tension” and “A490 Tru Tension”, respectively)

This consolidation corrected numerous slight discrepancies between the six standards and allowed for more complete alignment. This will allow for future modifications to be done across all structural bolting grades and will provide for a single point of reference for structural bolting.

There are few actual changes to the bolts made to either the individual standards or the grades in the new ASTM F3125; however these are the items that may be of most interest:

• The A325 bolts greater than 1” diameter will no longer have a lower tensile and hardness strength (all A325 bolts will be 120 KSI minimum strength level compared to 105 KSI minimum >1” diameter).

• There is no rotational test requirement for galvanized A325 bolts in the body of the standard (there is an Annex to F3125 for FHWA-style rotational capacity testing).

• Overtapping allowance has been added for nuts used with bolts coated to F1136/F1136M or F2833 (Zinc/Aluminum) paint systems

Added the opportunity to use the grades with different dimensions (such as modified head geometries or special thread lengths) by invoking Supplemental Requirement S2 and adding a “S” to the end of the grade (such as “A325S” or “A490S”).

We will modify our descriptions to include a reference to ASTM F3125 on new production. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if you would like any further information. Thank you


Post time: May-23-2017