ASTM A193 Explained: Grades, Chemical Composition, and Bolting Material Selection Guide

فهرست مطالب

In high-temperature and high-pressure services such as oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical processing, and power generation, bolting components are often among the least noticeable yet most critical elements of system safety. Numerous engineering failures have shown that equipment breakdowns do not always originate from major components or design flaws, but rather from the failure of bolts and studs due to fracture, stress corrosion, or improper material selection.

ASTM A193 bolts are resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, suitable for high-risk industrial environments. Besides being used for securing petrochemical pipelines, these high-quality bolts are also needed for installing brackets for LED high bay lights in factory workshops, to withstand corrosion and ensure the stability and longevity of the equipment.

ASTM A193 Materials and Chemical Composition

ASTM A193 GradeUNSنوع موادسیCrنیمونVTi / Nb / CuTypical Application
B5-Ferritic Cr-Mo steel≥0.104.0-6.0-0.40–0.65---Medium-temperature service
B6 / B6XS41000Ferritic Cr steel0.08–0.1511.5–13.5-----Heat-resistant service
B7-Ferritic Cr-Mo steel0.37–0.490.75–1.20-0.15-0.25---High-temperature / pressure bolting
B7M-Ferritic Cr-Mo steel (controlled hardness)0.37–0.490.75–1.20-0.15-0.25---Sour service (H₂S)
B16-Ferritic Cr-Mo-V steel0.36–0.470.80–1.15-0.50–0.65-0.25–0.35-Higher-temperature service
B8 / B8AS30400فولاد ضد زنگ آستنیتی≤0.0818.0-20.08.0–11.0----General corrosion resistance
B8C / B8CAS34700Austenitic SS (Nb stabilized)≤0.0817.0–19.09.0–12.0---Nb+Ta ≥10×CHigh-temperature, anti-intergranular corrosion
B8P / B8PAS30500فولاد ضد زنگ آستنیتی≤0.1217.0–19.011.0–13.0----Cold-worked fasteners
B8M / B8MAS31600فولاد ضد زنگ آستنیتی≤0.0816.0–18.010.0–13.02.0–3.0---Chloride-containing environments
B8M2 / B8M3S31600فولاد ضد زنگ آستنیتی≤0.0816.0–18.010.0–13.02.0–3.0---Engineering sub-classes
B8N / B8NAS30451Nitrogen-alloyed austenitic SS≤0.0818.0-20.08.0–11.0-0.10–0.16--Increased strength
B8MN / B8MNAS31651Nitrogen-alloyed austenitic SS≤0.0816.0–18.010.0–13.02.0–3.00.10–0.16--High-strength, corrosion resistant
B8MLCuN / B8MLCuNAS31254Super austenitic stainless steel≤0.02019.5–20.517.5–18.56.0–6.50.18–0.22-Cu 0.5–1.0Seawater / high-chloride service
B8T / B8TAS32100Ti-stabilized austenitic SS≤0.0817.0–19.09.0–12.0---Ti ≤0.70High-temperature service
B8R / B8RAS20910Heat-resistant austenitic SS≤0.0620.5–23.511.5–13.5۱.۵–۳.۰0.20-0.400.10–0.30Nb+TaHigh-temperature strength
B8S / B8SAS21800Heat-resistant austenitic SS≤0.1016.0–18.08.0–9.0-0.08–0.18--Elevated-temperature service
B8LN / B8LNAS30453Low-carbon austenitic SS≤0.03018.0-20.08.0–11.0-0.10–0.16--Resistance to intergranular corrosion
B8MLN / B8MLNAS31653Low-carbon austenitic SS≤0.03016.0–18.010.0–13.02.0–3.00.10–0.16--Resistance to intergranular corrosion

In ASTM A193, letter suffixes are an integral and mandatory part of the grade designation and are not optional identifiers.
Suffix الف indicates that the material achieves its strength through cold working; M indicates that the material is subject to maximum hardness limits to meet NACE / H₂S sour service requirements; L denotes low carbon content to reduce the risk of intergranular corrosion; ن indicates that nitrogen is intentionally added to increase strength and improve pitting resistance; مس indicates that the steel is copper alloyed to enhance corrosion resistance in acidic or high-chloride environments; and X indicates special or project-specific chemical composition control, which must be verified strictly against the specification and the Material Test Report (MTR). In engineering design, procurement, and inspection, any omission or misuse of these suffixes may result in non-compliant materials or in-service failure.

ASTM A193 – Mechanical Requirements ( Inch Products)

Ferritic Steels

درجهDiameter (in.)Min Tempering Temp (°F)Tensile Strength min (ksi)Yield Strength min (ksi)Elongation min (%)Reduction of Area min (%)Hardness Max
B5 (4–6% Cr)≤ 41100100801650-
B6 (13% Cr)≤ 41100110851550-
B6X (13% Cr)≤ 411009070165026 HRC
B7 (Cr-Mo)≤ 2½11001251051650321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 2½ – 41100115951650321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 4 – 71100100751850321 HB or 35 HRC
B7M (Cr-Mo)≤ 41150100801850235 HB or 99 HRB
 > 4 – 71150100751850235 HB or 99 HRB
B16 (Cr-Mo-V)≤ 2½12001251051850321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 2½ – 41200110951745321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 4 – 81200100851645321 HB or 35 HRC

Austenitic Steels

Class / GradeDiameter (in.)عملیات حرارتیTensile Strength min (ksi)Yield Strength min (ksi)Elongation min (%)Reduction of Area min (%)Hardness Max
Class 1 & 1D: B8, B8M, B8P, B8LNهمهCarbide solution treated75303050223 HB or 96 HRB
Class 1: B8C, B8TهمهCarbide solution treated75303050223 HB or 96 HRB
Class 1A: B8A, B8CA, B8MA, B8TA, B8LNA, B8MNAهمهSolution treated in finished condition75303050192 HB or 90 HRB
Class 1B & 1D: B8N, B8MN, B8MLCuNهمهCarbide solution treated80353040223 HB or 96 HRB
Class 1C & 1D: B8RهمهCarbide solution treated100553555271 HB or 28 HRC
Class 1C: B8SهمهCarbide solution treated95503555271 HB or 28 HRC
Class 1C: B8SAهمهSolution treated in finished condition95503555271 HB or 28 HRC
Class 2: B8, B8C, B8P, B8T≤ ¾Solution treated & strain hardened1251001235321 HB or 35 HRC
 > ¾ – 1¼115801535321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 1¼ – 1½105652035321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 1½100502845321 HB or 35 HRC
Class 2: B8M, B8MN, B8MLCuN≤ ¾Solution treated & strain hardened110951545321 HB or 35 HRC
 > ¾ – 1100802045321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 1 – 1¼95652545321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 1¼ – 1½90503045321 HB or 35 HRC
Class 2: B8M2≤ 2Solution treated & strain hardened95752540321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 2 – 2½90653040321 HB or 35 HRC
Class 2C: B8M3D≤ 2Solution treated & strain hardened85603060321 HB or 35 HRC
 > 2½ – 380553040321 HB or 35 HRC

Important Notes

  • When the Brinell hardness exceeds 200 HB, the hardness shall be 93 HRB or less.
  • Classes 1A, 1C, and 1D shall be solution treated in the finished condition.
  • Strain-hardened austenitic steels may exhibit non-uniform mechanical properties across large cross sections.
  • For diameters 1½ in. and larger, center (core) properties may be lower than the tabulated values, as test results are typically based on values determined at one-half radius.

ASTM A193 – Mechanical Requirements (Metric Products)

Ferritic Steels

درجهقطر (میلی‌متر)Min Tempering Temp (°C)Tensile Strength min (MPa)Yield Strength min (MPa)Elongation min (%)Reduction of Area min (%)Hardness Max
B5 (4–6% Cr)≤ M1005936905501650-
B6 (13% Cr)≤ M1005937605851550-
B6X (13% Cr)≤ M100593620485165026 HRC
B7 (Cr-Mo)≤ M645938607201650321 HB or 35 HRC
 > M64 – M1005937956551650321 HB or 35 HRC
 > M100 – M1805936905151850321 HB or 35 HRC
B7M (Cr-Mo)≤ M1006206905501850235 HB or 99 HRB
 > M100 – M1806206905151850235 HB or 99 HRB
B16 (Cr-Mo-V)≤ M646508607251850321 HB or 35 HRC
 > M64 – M1006507606551745321 HB or 35 HRC
 > M100 – M1806506905851645321 HB or 35 HRC

Austenitic Steels

Classes 1 / 1A / 1B / 1C / 1D

Class / Gradeقطر (میلی‌متر)عملیات حرارتیTensile Strength min (MPa)Yield Strength min (MPa)Elongation min (%)Reduction of Area min (%)Hardness Max
Class 1 & 1D: B8, B8M, B8P, B8LNهمهCarbide solution treated5152053050223 HB or 96 HRB
Class 1: B8C, B8TهمهCarbide solution treated5152053050223 HB or 96 HRB
Class 1A: B8A, B8CA, B8MA, B8TA, B8LNA, B8MNAهمهSolution treated in finished condition5152053050192 HB or 90 HRB
Class 1B & 1D: B8N, B8MN, B8MLCuNهمهCarbide solution treated5502403040223 HB or 96 HRB
Class 1C & 1D: B8RهمهCarbide solution treated6903803555271 HB or 28 HRC
Class 1C: B8RAهمهSolution treated in finished condition6903803555271 HB or 28 HRC
Class 1C & 1D: B8SهمهCarbide solution treated6553453555271 HB or 28 HRC
Class 1C: B8SAهمهSolution treated in finished condition6553453555271 HB or 28 HRC

Austenitic Steels – Class 2(Solution Treated + Strain Hardened)

Class 2: B8, B8C, B8P, B8T

قطر (میلی‌متر)Tensile min (MPa)Yield min (MPa)Elongation min (%)Reduction min (%)Hardness Max
≤ M208606901235321 HB or 35 HRC
> M20 – M247955501535321 HB or 35 HRC
> M24 – M307254502035321 HB or 35 HRC
> M30 – M366903452845321 HB or 35 HRC

Class 2: B8M, B8MN, B8MLCuN

iameter (mm)Tensile min (MPa)Yield min (MPa)Elongation min (%)Reduction min (%)Hardness Max
≤ M207606551545321 HB or 35 HRC
> M20 – M246905502045321 HB or 35 HRC
> M24 – M306554502545321 HB or 35 HRC
> M30 – M366203453045321 HB or 35 HRC
Class 2B / 2C / 2D
Class / Gradeقطر (میلی‌متر)Tensile min (MPa)Yield min (MPa)Elongation min (%)Reduction min (%)Hardness Max
Class 2B: B8M2≤ M486555152540321 HB or 35 HRC
 > M48 – M646204503040321 HB or 35 HRC
Class 2C: B8M3≤ M485503803040321 HB or 35 HRC
 > M48 – M725854503060321 HB or 35 HRC
Class 2D: B8M3D> M485854153060321 HB or 35 HRC

Key Notes 

  • To meet the tensile strength requirements, the Brinell hardness shall be greater than 200 HB (approximately 93 HRB).
  • Classes 1A, 1C, and 1D shall be solution treated in the finished condition.
  • Class 2 (strain-hardened) austenitic steels may exhibit non-uniform mechanical properties at large diameters.
  • For diameters ≤ M20, a maximum hardness of 241 HB (100 HRB) is permitted.
  • For diameters ≥ M38, center (core) properties may be lower than the tabulated values, as test results are typically based on values determined at one-half radius.

خلاصه

ASTM A193 is not merely a “bolt material standard,” but a comprehensive engineering safety specification designed for high-risk service conditions. Its requirements for chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment, and hardness control are directly linked to the long-term reliability of bolting materials operating under high temperature, high pressure, corrosive, or sour service environments.

In engineering design, procurement, and inspection, a complete and accurate ASTM A193 material designation is essential to prevent material misuse and reduce operational risk. In many cases, getting the specification right at the beginning is far more effective than correcting problems after installation. Only by fully understanding and correctly applying ASTM A193 can its intended engineering value be realized.

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