Ordering Bolts to ASTM A588

ASTM A588 is a common steel standard that covers high strength, low-alloy structural steel shapes, plates, and bars with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance that is intended for riveted, bolted, or welded construction. Fasteners are not specifically included in the scope of A588, but that doesn’t stop engineers and contractors from asking for A588 bolts.

Why is that an issue?

The inherent problem with trying to order bolts to a ASTM steel standard, is that steel standards like A588 do not include the necessary fastener information like bolt configuration, type of or amount of threads, style of head, compatible nut or washer, acceptable coatings, etc.  For example, ASTM A325 type 3, which covers headed structural bolts, has a similar corrosion resistance to A588, and has the following sections detailing bolt specifics:

• Section 3.2, recommended nuts
• Section 7.1, head dimensions, thread length, other bolt dimensions
• Section 7.2, thread geometry
• Section 7.2.2, nut over-tapping allowances for hot dip galvanized bolts
• Section 10, test methods
• Section 15, product marking

Without these details, every mundane aspect of the fastener would need to be discussed and decided between the purchaser and the manufacturer, or assumptions would need to be made that may or may not meet the needs of the application the bolts are being used in.  That said, in this case, A325 type 3 bolts, while they are readily available, are limited in their available diameters and are additionally limited by the fact that A325 only applies to headed structural bolts.  A449 type 3 is a more general purpose standard, but heat treatable weathering steel material is very hard to come by, leaving A588 as the only real option for specialty corrosion resistant steel fasteners.

ASTM A36 addresses this issue by including an appurtenant materials chart, guiding the reader to which fastener specific standards may be more appropriate.  A588 however, does not, so we are left without any clear fastener equivalents or recommendations.  Depending on your application and needs, we are happy to discuss what fastener options are available to you, although we cannot make recommendations.  That said, we do have A588 material available to us, so we are able to manufacture many varieties of fastener from that material.  We would simply need to discuss the specifics of the fastener configuration, using industry standards as our guide.  We will also provide a shop drawing with our quote, so that you can see exactly what you are getting before we begin.

Portland Bolt is happy to answer questions like these or similar.  We are the bolt experts; feel free to use us as a resource.