Fastener Guide / Technical Reference

Grade Selection Guide

Choose the grade the joint needs, then the material the environment needs. Upgrading strength or finish without checking the nut, washer and joint can cause failures.

Last reviewed 2026-09-10 · Governing standard: SAE J429 (2014); ISO 898-1:2013; ASTM F3125/F3125M-26; ISO 3506-1/-2:2020 · reference FG-934EE1 · Report an error on this sheet

Quick selection

NeedInch choiceMetric choice
Light duty, no preloadGrade 24.6 / 4.8
General machineryGrade 58.8
High clamp loadGrade 810.9
Compact, highest strengthA574 socket12.9 socket
Structural steelF3125 A325 / A490EN 14399 HR / HV
Corrosive / marine316 (F593 Group 2)A4-70 / A4-80

Governing standards: SAE J429 (2014); ISO 898-1:2013; ASTM F3125/F3125M-26; ISO 3506-1/-2:2020. Editions shown are the latest confirmed as of September 2026. The drawing and the governing standard always take precedence over this sheet.

These tables carry the same figures as the printed sheet below.

The printed sheet

Grade Selection Guide

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Text version of this sheet

Choosing a grade · strength and environment

What it is

FIELD IDENTIFICATION

Choose the grade the joint needs, then the material the environment needs. Upgrading strength or

finish without checking the nut, washer and joint can cause failures.

MFG

MFG

MFG

MFG

MFG

8.8

10.9

Gr 2

Gr 5

Gr 8

8.8

10.9

Pick the grade the joint needs

Quick selection

Need

Inch choice

Metric choice

Light duty, no preload

Grade 2

4.6 / 4.8

General machinery

Grade 5

8.8

High clamp load

Grade 8

10.9

A574 socket

12.9 socket

Structural steel

F3125 A325 / A490

EN 14399 HR / HV

Corrosive / marine

316 (F593 Group 2)

A4-70 / A4-80

Compact, highest strength

Governing standards: SAE J429 (2014); ISO 898-1:2013; ASTM F3125/F3125M-26; ISO 3506-1/-2:2020. Editions shown are the latest confirmed as of September 2026. The drawing

and the governing standard always take precedence over this sheet.

torquing any fastener. Verify the current governing standard, project documents, OEM requirements, size, thread, coating and lot certification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Fastener App disclaims liability

arising from reliance on this reference.

Fastener Guide reference FG-934EE1 · thefastenerapp.com/fastener-guide/technical-reference/grade-selection-guide · © The Fastener App. Reference only — verify the current governing standard, drawing and manufacturer data before specifying or installing.

Related sheets

← Marine and Coastal Fastener SelectionSAE J429 Overview →

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See what every customer buys from you

Every account gets a category chart: share of dollars, share of times ordered and share of pieces. Your reps see what each customer buys from you, and the categories they are buying somewhere else stand out.

Share of dollars

Fasteners37%$69,879
Electrical10%$19,152
Fleet and Automotive7%$12,293
Hardware and Building Supplies5%$10,243
Tools and Equipment5%$9,811
Cutting Tools and Metalworking5%$9,740
Plumbing5%$8,865
All other25%$46,410

Share of times ordered

Fasteners44%355
Electrical12%94
Fleet and Automotive7%53
Tools and Equipment6%48
Cutting Tools and Metalworking4%36
Pneumatics4%34
Hardware and Building Supplies4%33
All other20%162

Share of pieces

Fasteners75%486,316
Fleet and Automotive6%38,905
Electrical5%31,100
Hardware and Building Supplies3%19,775
Sealing3%17,704
Abrasives3%17,251
General MRO2%16,133
All other4%23,770

Sample report from our demo store.

Sales rep territory management

The time planner splits each rep’s month by how much every customer spends. A customer that is 20% of the rep’s business gets about 35 hours a month, about 8 hours a week, and the rep’s week is laid out for them.

Share of the rep’s business

Summit Precast LLC20.2%
Brunswick Galvanizing Inc.14.6%
Talleyrand Signs LLC8.0%
Mayport Tool & Die Inc.7.8%
Eagle Mechanical LLC7.2%
Premier Electric Group5.9%
Tallahassee Packaging LLC3.7%
Coastal Maintenance Group3.3%
All others (64 customers)29.4%

Time each customer deserves

CustomerHours a monthHours a week
Summit Precast LLC35.08.1
Brunswick Galvanizing Inc.25.35.8
Talleyrand Signs LLC13.93.2
Mayport Tool & Die Inc.13.53.1
Eagle Mechanical LLC12.52.9
Premier Electric Group10.22.4
Tallahassee Packaging LLC6.41.5
Coastal Maintenance Group5.71.3
All others (64 customers)51.011.8

Sample plan from our demo store: 173 hours a month, all selling time.

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