Demanding Loads on Joints Call for Heat Treating Bolts & Fasteners

 

 

Source: IEEE GlobalSpec

 

When tensile, shear or combination loads place a demand on bolted joints, heat treatment is a crucial step in the manufacturing of the high-strength fasteners often required to withstand the pressure.

“About 90 percent of fasteners are steel based and the required strength level is usually developed in steel fasteners using quenching and tempering processes.” ~ IEEE GlobalSpec

The authors of this week’s Technical Tuesday describe the standard industrial applications that call for heat-treated bolts or fasteners, environmental considerations that factor into determining heat treatment processes, the types of heat treatment according to the grade of steel, and more.

Figure 3. Comparison of minimum tensile strengths of heat treated and unhardened SAE J429 grade fasteners. Source: Bayou City Bolts
Comparison of minimum tensile strengths of heat treated and unhardened SAE J429 grade fasteners. Source: Bayou City Bolts

 

 

Read more: “Heat Treatment of Bolts and Fasteners for Demanding Applications”