~~l~ Designation: F 788/F 788M - 97

Standard Specification for

Surface Discontinuities of Bolts, Screws, and Studs, Inch
and Metric Series1
Thi~ S1andani is issued under tbe fixed designation F 788IF 788M ; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in (he case of revision. the year of last revision. A number in parenlbcses indicale$ tbe year of last reapprQval.
A superscript epsilon (£) indic81CS an editorial change since the last revision or reapprovaL

This standard MS been approved for uS<! by agencies of Ihe DepalTmenl of De/ense. Consull the 000 Index of Specijicmiorrs and
Standards for Ihe s/VCific year of issue ...hich /1<11 been adopted by Ihe Depanmem of De/ense.

1. Scope '" E 340 Test Method for Macroelching Metals and AIloys2
1.1 This specification establishes allowable limits for the 2.2 ISO Standard."]
various types of surface discontinuities that may occur during ISO 6157/1 Fasteners, Surface Discontinuities on Bol ts,
the manufacture and processing of bolts, screws, and studs, Screws and Studs
including heat-treated machine screws, tapping screws, and
3. Ordering Information
sems (the washers of screw-washer assemblies are excl uded).
This specification covers metric series products with nominal 3. 1 Orders for bolts, screws, and studs requiring disconti-
diameters of 4 mm and larger and with specified minimum nuity control shall include the followi ng:
tensile strengths of 800 MPa and greater; and inch series 3. 1.1 ASTM designation and date of issue of this specifica-
products with nomi nal di ameters of No. 5 (0.1 250 in.) and tion.
larger and with specified minimum tensile strengths of 90 000 3. 1.2 Special requirements. for example, closer discontinu-
psi and greater. ity limits (1.3.1) and inspection sampling plan (6.2).
1.2 The values stated in either SI (metric) or inch-pound
4. Types of Surface Discontinuities
units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values
stated in each system are not exact equivalents, therefore, each 4. 1 Crack-A crack is a clean (crystalline) fraclUre passi ng
system must be used independently of the other. Combining through or across the grain boundaries and may possibly follow
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance inclusions of foreign elements. Cracks are normally caused by
with the specification. overstressing the metal during forging or other forming opera-
1.3 When the engineering requirements of the application tions. or during heat treatment. Where parts are subjected to
necessitate control of surface discontinuities on bolts, screws, significant reheating, cracks usually are discolored by scale.
or studs, the purchaser shall specify conformance to ASTM 4. 1.1 Quench Cracks-Quench cracks may occur due to
Specification F 788/F 788M, in the original inquiry and pur- excessively high thermal and transformation stresses during
chase order. heat treatment. Quench cracks usually traverse an irregu lar and
1.3. 1 When the engineering requirements of the application erratic course on the surface of the fas tener. Typical quench
necessitate that surface discontinuities on bolts, screws, and cracks are shown in Fig. 1. Limits are specified in 5.2.
studs be controlled within limits closer than those specified in 4. 1.2 Forging Cracks-Forging cracks may occur during
this specifi cation, the purchaser shall specify the applicable the cutoff or forging operations and are located on the top of
limits in the original inquiry and purchase order. the head and on the raised periphery of indented head bolts and
l A The allowable limits established in this specification for screws. Typical forging cracks are shown in Fig. 2. Limits are
metric bolts, screws, and studs with nominal diameters from 4 specified in 5.3.
to 24 mm inclusive, are essentially identical with requirements 4.2 Burst-A burst is an open break in the metal. Bursts
given in ISO 6 157/1. There are no ISO standards for surface occur during the forging operation and are located on the flat s
d,i8CPutinuities. Qn any joch-serics products- or corners of heads or at the periphery of flanged or circular
head products or on the raised periphery of indented head bolts
2. Referenced Documents and screws. Typical bursts are shown in Fig. 3. Limits are
2. 1 ASTM Standards: specified in SA.
4.2.1 Shea r Bursr-A shear burst is an open break in the
metal located at approximately a 45° angle 10 the product axis .
I This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM CommiUe<: F-16 on
Fasteners and is the direct responsibi lity of Suboommillee F16.93 on Quality
Assurance Provisions for Fasteners. ' Annual Book of AS1M Srandorris. Vol 03.01.
Current edition approved Feb. ID. 1997. Published August 1997. Originally 1 Available from American National Standards lostitute. II West 42nd Street.
published as F 788JF 788M - 82. Last previous edition F 788/F 788M _ 92. 13th ,"1 00T. Ncw York. NY 10036.

"A Summary or Change!; section appears at the end of this stand ard.
225
 ~ffi\? F 788/F 788M
OVE NCH Ci'!ACIC ACROSS lOP or
HUO, OUENC" CI'lACK,
U$U"I.lV 4N EXTENSI ON or CII"CIC IN CIRCVMf'(IIE"" IAL
SHAN K OA SIDE or ItEAO r 01![OtC~ ' ''AC K AN D ADJ ACEN T TO
F ILL E T - -- -,
OV[ N CH CRAC K, SECTlOli
OU EN CH CAACK •• .. <> t t . ~ THREA D
n TEN DING RADIAl-LV

'"; ?
S£C TIDN A-A A-I Y
LO,..Gl TUOIHAL OV Ule H CR"CK OUENCH ( II"CII AC AOSS
'lWASHEII FACE AND TO
OUUl e H C" AC K, AT O(PT H Of' 'III'A SH£" ' ACE
R OO T 8(TW((N POIN TS OUUl e H CRACII ro"C KN[ SS

FIG. 1 Typi cal Quench Cracks

the surface of a bolt, screw, or stud produced by the forceful

abrasion or the impact of a product coming into contuct with
another product or manufacturing equipment during manufac-
ture, handling, or transport. Limits are spec ified in 5.9.

S. Allowable Limits
5.1 utter Definitio/ls-Throu ghout the following require-
FORGING CRACK ON TOP OF HEAO me nts, D designates the nominal size (basic major diameter of
FIG. 2 Typical Forging Cracks thread) of bolts, screws. and studs, except for products with
shoulders, in which case D designates the largest shoulder
Shear bursts occur most frequ ently althe periphery of products d iameter; and Dc designates flange diameter (specified maxi-
having Hanged or circular heads. Shear bursts may al so occur mum) or head diameter (specifi ed max imum) of circular head
on the sides of hex-head products. Typical shear bursts are products. For metric series products, D and Dc are in millime-
shown in Fig. 3. Limits are specified in 5.4. tres; for inch-series products, D and Dc are in inches.
4.3 Seam-Seams arc generally inherent in the raw material 5.2 Qllencll Cracks-Quench cracks of any depth, any
from which the faste ner is made. Seams are usually straight or length, or in any location are not permitted.
smooth-curved line discontinuities running longitudinally on 5.3 Forging Cracb--Forging cracks on the top of the head
thread, shank, and head. Seams in raw material used for forged of bolts and screws are permitted, provided that (a) no crack
or fonned fasteners may lead to the fonmllion of bursts. shall have a length exceeding 1.0 D. and (b) no crack shall have
Typical seams are shown in Fig. 4. Limits are specifi ed in 5.5. a width or depth exceeding 0.04 D.
4.4 Fofd-A fo ld is a doubling over of metal which occurs 5 .4 BI/rsts alld Shear BurslS:
during the forging operation. Folds may occur at or near the 5.4 .1 For hex-head bolts and screws, bursts and shear bursts
intersection of diameter changes and are especially prevalent are pennitted. pro vided that (a) no burst or shear burst in the
with noncircular necks, shoulders. and heads. Typical folds are flat s extends into the crown (chamfer) circle on the top of the
shown in Fig. 5 a, b, and c. Limits are specified in 5.6. head or into the underhead bearing circle. (b) no burst or shear
4 .5 Thread Lop - A thread lap is a doubling over of metal burst located at the intersection of two wrenching flats reduces
which occurs during roll threading. Limits are specified in the width across corners below its specified minimum, and (c)
Supplementary Require ment S.I.I. no burst or shear burst has-a width or'depth 'greatenhan-:06D
4.6 Voitf- A void is a shallow pocket o r hollow on the but not to exceed .062 in. ( 1.6 mm).
surface of a bolt or screw due to nonfilling of metal during 5.4.2 For flan ge bolts and screws and products with circu lar
forging. Voids are produced by marks or impressions of chips heads, bursts and shear bursts at the pe riphery of the fl ange or
(shear bum;) or by rust fonn ation on the raw material. They are head are permitted, provided that (a) not more than one burst
not planished during forging. Typical voids are shown in Fig. or shear burst has a width greater than 0.04 Dc and (b) the
6. Limits are specified in 5.7. width of the o ne burst or shear burst that exceeds a wiCfi"li"""01'
4.7 Toof Marks-Tool marks are longitudinal or circumfer- 0.04 Dc does not have a width greater than 0.08 Dc.
ential grooves of shallow depth produced by the movement of 5.4.3 For indented head bolts and screws. bursts and shear
manufacturing tools over thc surface of the bolt or screw. bursts in the raised periphery of the indented head arc
Typical tool marks are shown in Fig. 7. Limits are specified in permitted, provided that (a) no burst or shear burst has a width
5.8. greater than 0.06 D and (b) no burst or shear burst has a depth
4.8 Nick or GOlIge-A nick or gouge is an indentation on extending below the indented portion.
226
 ~t F 788/F 788M

~
BU I'I ST

BUI'I STS

BUI'IS T SH(AI'I BUII ST SHEAI'I BURST

8 UI'I ST

FIG. 3 Typ ical Bursts and Shear Bursts

S(.M ON SIDE OF HE K
AND ToP OF FORMED
HEAD PROOUCT
o SEAM, USUAll Y to STRAIGHT OR
SMooT H·CURVED ~I N[ DISCo.. T'NUITV \
I'IUNNING LONGITUOI NA l l v ----: 7'~

o FIG. 4 Typica l Seam s

(to·"CLOVER LEM·· fOLD IN NON ·

CIRCULAR SHDUUlER FASnNER

FOlD AT IN1(11I01'I
COR '-I( R f OLD AT I NT ERIOI~ CORNER

(b)
o AT EXTERIOR CORNER

(o)
FIG. 5 Typical Folds

5.5 Seams: beyond the limits specified for bursts and shear bursts in 5.4.
5.5. 1 Seams in the shanks of bolts, screws, and studs are 5.6 Folds:
permitted provided that no seam has a depth greater than 0.03 5.6.1 Folds located at interior corners that are at or below
D. the underhead bearing surface, for example, at the junction of
5.5.2 Seams extending into the heads and fl anges of bolts head to shank, are not perm itted, except for cloverleaf fo lds
and screws are permitted, provided that they do nOI open occuning at the intersection of non-circular shoulders with
227
 ~t F 7881F 788M

. not exceed 3.2 IJnl or 125 lJin., determined as the arithmetic

o VOI OS
0:
average deviation from the mean surface.
5.8.2 Tool marks o n other surfaces of the prod uct are
permitted.
5.9 Nicks and Gouges-N icks. gouges, de nts. and scrapes
are permitted, provided that the functionabil ity of the prod uct
is not impaired.

6. Inspection and Evaluation

6.1 Bolts, screws. and studs shall be inspected for surface
discontinuities in accordance with the procedure in 6.2, 6.3.

~
---.-. -~-- -
~

~
-""~

=
and 6.4.
6.2 The purchaser shall specify in the original inquiry and
purchase order the inspection sampling requirements that the
producer must satisfy to demonstrate the acceptabi lity of bolts.
screws, and studs with respect to surface discontinuities.
6.3 In the absence of purchaser instructions (6.2), inspection
and evaluation shall be in accordance wi th 6.5.
'\:: 6.4 For referee purposes, unless other procedures have bee n
FIG. 6 Typical Voids
specified by the purchaser (6.2), inspection and evaluation shall
be in accordance with 6.5 .
TOOL MARKS
6.5 Inspection Procedure:
6.5 .1 Visual Inspectioll:
6.5 .1.1 A random sample shall be taken from the lot in
accordance with Table I and examined visually (magne tic
particle or flu id penetrant are recommended) for the presence
of quench cracks, forging cracks. bursts, shear bursts. seams,
folds, voids, tool marks, and nicks and gouges. Visual inspec-
tion can include the use of devices that provide up 10, and
TOOL MARK FROM T RIMMIN G OPERATION including. ID-power magnifi cation.
FIG. 7 TypIcal Tool Marks 6.5. 1.2 If, duri ng th is inspection, any products :Ire found
wi th quench cracks in any location or with folds at interior
head bearing face (see Fig. 5a), corners that are at or below the underhead bearing surface. the
5.6.2 Folds located al interior corners thal are above the lot may be rejected by the purchaser.
underhead bearing surface. for example, al the junction of the 6.5.1.3 If, during this inspection, any products are found
hex head with the lOp o f fl ange of flan ge bolts and screws. are with any other surface di scontinuity, each discontinuity shall
pcnniucd (see Fig. 5b). be measured, and if any is found that exceeds the allowable
5.6.3 Folds located at exterior corners are pennitted (see dimensional limits for that discontinuity as specified in Sec-
Fig. 5e), tion5, the lot may be rejected by the purchaser.
5.7 Voids:
5.7.1 Voids on the surfaces of bolts, screws, and studs are
pennitlcd, provided that (a) depth of voids does nOl exceed TABLE 1 Sample SIze for VIsual Inspection
0.25 mm or 0.010 in. or 0.02 D. whichever is greater, and (b) lol Size" Sample Size
the combined area of all voids on the underhead bearing 2 to 15 2
surface of bolts and screws does not exceed 10 % of the 16 to 25 3
26 to 90 5
specified minimum bearing surface area.
5.7.2 The method for determining the area of voids on the
91 10 151
151 to SOO •
bearing surface shall be as agreed upon between the purchaser
and the producer.
501 10 I 200
I 2011010 000
"
20
32
10 001 10 3S 000 50
5.8 Tool Morh: 3S 00110150 000 80
5.8. 1 Tool marks on the underhead bearing surface are "LOl siZe is lhe number 01 p rodUC1S 01 tile same type. size, and property class
permitted, providcd the surface roughness measurement docs submitted for inspection al one lime.

228
 ~ffi" F 788/F 788M
SUPPLEME NTARY REQUIREMENTS

One or more of the following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specified by the
purchaser in the inquiry and order. Supplementary Requirements shall in no way negale any
req uirement of the specification itself.

SI. Assemblies Subject to Severe Dynamic Stresses Sl.2 Thread Lap Inspection:
S 1.2.1 Visual Inspection- A random sample shall be se-
S 1. 1 Laps in Screw Threads:
lected from the lot in accordance with Table I. The sample
S 1. 1.1 Laps of any depth and any length which originate selected shall be surface etched in a 50 % solution of Hel and
below (or originating above and extending below) a point H2 0 at approximately 180°F (no more than 5 min of etch time
located at a distance equal to or less than 20 % of the thread should be employed as excessive etching may remove shallow
height. measured from the mi nor diameter, are no! permitted. thread laps). After etch, the samples shall be examined under a
See 4.5 and the Fig. SI. I and Fig. $ 1.2. 10 X magnification for the presence of laps.
S 1.1.2 Surface discondnuities of threads caused by the S 1.2.2 Microscopic Examination-If Japs are present, one of
thread roll ing process, as in Fig. S 1.2. shall be excluded from the samples shall be sectioned longitudinally on the center line
these requirements provided the discontinuilies do nol exceed of the bolt/screw and on a plane passing through the poi nt al
the depth of 0.5 % X nominal diameter and are essentially which any lap extends closest to the minor diameter of the
parallel 10 the adjacent thread contour and are not directed thread. The section shall be etched for microscopic examina-
toward the screw or bolt axis. tion in accordance with Test Method E 340. Acceptance shall
be based on the requirements of SI. I.

DL"",""" ,,,",'" . . ' • ..,,'"

on.oo "'" -..., .. ' .....
-tn"..9.Sbr- - - -

- ""Cl"!J;S,.-- ,J!.t~
...... .a: "
D,'ICO"<T'MJ''''S ""nDL","NG ' ~ ACe'
_'ss, .....
. - . . , ,..., D,""C'UI 'D ." ,,~ .... ,."

FIG. 51 .1 Typical Thread Laps

229
 ~t F 788/F 788M

-~rf.sbr ---
J '.' lH'lE~D
><£,,,,,T

--ol"~-- ----r

OISCONTi""lTIES ~T ROOT I:K 1l4lE1IO 0l.E TO OISCONTltfJlTIES ORIGINATIN3 !l£L(lIIj 10:': OF

use: <:F 5ERFMTEO Ti-I'EAIJ FOIOMINO DIE5 ARE Tt-REAIJ >EIGHT AND OI«ECTED 1OW-"'05 Tf.I£
PERt.<ISS leLE IF TI€ OCPTH DOES H01' (><CEED
0 . 5): OF" N()I,OINAL OIM.E:T(R CT FAS1E!>ER. .. 'NaI IJIAAtET(R !.RE f'ERI,O,SSll\I,..E IF T><E
nE5£ 0ISC"",11...,111(5 AA£ IN H E FORM i f OEPTH NCRoIAL TO FLA~ DOES NOT H CEEO
~ . 5\( rT NCNINN. OII\M£TER .
SCALLOPS AT nE flOOT ",VJ "-OLLOW CONTOl.fl
a' "001 (J'" TI-l'EAIJ.

N011l I- Laps which originate below (or originate above and extend below) 20 % thread height are not pennissible discominuitics except as shown
in Fig. S 1.2.
FIG. 51.2 Typical Starting Serrations

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This section identifies the location of selected changes to this specification that have been incorporated since
the -90 issue. For the convenience of the user, Committee F- 16 has highlighted those changes that may impact
the use of this specification. This section may also include descriptions of those changes or reasons for the
changes, or both.

(I) In lA cOJTected the ISO designation to read "ISO 6157n" . ISO standards for surface disconlinuities on metric bolts,
Formerly " ISO/DIS 6l57n". screws, and studs with nominal diameters larger than 24 mm.
(2) In lA, last sentence. deleted the portion pertaining to no

The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting t/)e validity of any patent rights asserted In connection
with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly edvised Ihat dlltennination of the validity of any such
patent rights, and the risk of jnfringement of such rights, are enrifllly thejr own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any lime by thll fIlsponsible technical oommilloo and must be reviewed every ~'ve years and
if not revised. either reapproved or withdrawn. Your oommfHlls are jnvited eithllr for reviskin of this standard or lor additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM Headquarters. Your oommllOts will receive carelul consideretion at a maating 01 /ha responsible
technical rommillea. which you may (lUend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you Should make your
viaws known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, 700 Barr Harbor Drive. West ConshohocJ<llO. PA 19428.

230