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A Short Guide To Metric Nuts and Bolts
A Short Guide To Metric Nuts and Bolts
Disclaimer
Every eort has been made to ensure that the informa on contained
in this document is correct but no guarantee can be given nor liability
accepted for errors or omissions.
We are always grateful for any comments or cri cisms of our technical
publica ons and are happy to oer advice on all aspects of plant and machiery
maintenance.
Should you have any feedback concerning this document please contact us:
Thomson Engineering Design Ltd, Valley Road, Cinderford, Glos. GL14 2NZ
Tel: 01594 82 66 11 Fax: 01594 82 55 60 Email: sales@thomsondesignuk.com
Size
M5
M6
M8
M10
M12
M16
M20
M24
M30
Pitch (std)
0.8
1.0
1.25
1.5
1.75
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
Pitch (fine)
0.75
1.0
1.0 or 1.25
1.5
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.0
Manufacturer
On the head of each bolt are two numbers separated by a decimal point, the
full list includes ten grades from 3.6 to 14.9 but in plant and machinery only
grades 8.8, 9.8, 10.9 and 12.9 are normally found. The bolt head should also
have a code - normally two or three le ers - indica ng the manufacturer.
Usually the markings are on the top of the bolt head but some mes they are
on the side.
The first number gives the breaking strength of the steel in the bolt. In round
terms it is in 10s of kg per square millimeter of the bolt.
break down
Breaking
For example, a grade 12.9 bolt will not snap un l every square millimetre of
the bolt cross sec on is carrying a load of at least 120 kg. Similarly a grade 8.8 strength = 8x10
kg/mm2
bolt will not snap un l it is carrying a load of 80kg per square millimetre.
A bolt will begin to stretch before it finally breaks, the second number on the
head of the bolt indicates how much of the breaking strength the bolt can
stand before it starts to stretch.
For example, a grade 12.9 bolt will begin to stretch when the load on the bolt
is 90% of the breaking load. Similarly a grade 9.8 bolt will begin to stretch at
80% of its breaking load.
Size
M5
M6
M8
M10
M12
M16
M20
M24
M30
923kg
1,310kg
2,380kg
3,770kg
5,480kg
10,200kg
N/A
N/A
N/A
1,180kg
1,670kg
3,040kg
4,810kg
7,000kg
13,000kg
20,300kg
29,300kg
46,600kg
1,380kg
1,950kg
3,550kg
5,630kg
8,180kg
15,200kg
23,800kg
34,200kg
54,400kg
Fine pitch bolts will be typically 10% stronger than coarse pitch bolts because
less metal is cut away to make the thread.
ONLY USE THE TORQUE SETTINGS GIVEN IN THE TABLE BELOW WHERE
THE MACHINE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT SPECIFIED A TORQUE.
Size
M5
M6
M8
M10
M12
M16
M20
M24
M30
7.8 Nm
13.3 Nm
32.3 Nm
64.1 Nm
111.8 Nm
277.4 Nm
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0 Nm
17.0 Nm
41.3 Nm
81.8 Nm
142.8 Nm
353.6 Nm
690.2 Nm
1,195.4 Nm
2,376.6 Nm
11.7 Nm
19.9 Nm
48.3 Nm
95.7 Nm
166.9 Nm
413.4 Nm
809.2 Nm
1,395.3 Nm
2,774.4 Nm
Fine pitch nuts and bolts are normally only used in special circumstances and
the manufacturers maintenance documenta on should give the required
torque in each case.
Fine threads are o en used where a bolt is screwed into a so metal block,
such as an aluminium cas ng, the thread in the block may be far weaker than
the bolt and a lower torque is almost always required to avoid stripping the
threads.
Size
M5
M6
M8
M10
M12
M16
M20
M24
M30
Spanner
8 mm
10 mm
13 mm
17 mm
19 mm
24 mm
30 mm
36 mm
46 mm
Allen Key
4 mm
5 mm
6 mm
8 mm
10 mm
14 mm
17 mm
19 mm
Size
Clearance Thread
Hole
Pitch
(std)
M5
5.5
6.5
9
11
M6
M8
M10
M12
M16
M20
M24
M30
14
18
22
26
32
Tapping
Drill (std
Pitch)
Thread
Pitch
(fine)
Tapping
Drill (fine
pitch)
0.8
4.2 mm
1.0
5.0 mm
0.75
5.25 mm
1.25
6.75 mm
1.0
7 mm
1.5
8.5 mm
1.75
10.25 mm
1.0 or
1.25
1.5
9.0 or 8.75
mm
10.5 mm
2.0
14 mm
1.5
16.5 mm
2.5
17.5 mm
1.5
20.5 mm
3.0
21 mm
2.0
24 mm
3.5
26.5 mm
2.0
30 mm
When tapping a hole, par cularly M10 and smaller, remember to keep
removing the tap from the hole and blowing away the swarf to prevent the tap
jamming and breaking.
Thomson Engineering Design Ltd. Valley Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire. GL14 2NZ
Tel: +44 (0) 1594 82 66 11 Fax: +44 (0) 1594 82 55 60 Email: sales@thomsondesignuk.com