Designation: F 812/F 812M – 07

Standard Specification for

Surface Discontinuities of Nuts, Inch and Metric Series1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 812/F 812M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification establishes allowable limits for the 2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
various types of surface discontinuities that may occur during F 606 Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical Prop-
the manufacture and processing of metric-series nuts with erties of Externally and Internally Threaded Fasteners,
nominal diameters 5 mm and larger and inch-series nuts with Washers, Direct Tension Indicators, and Rivets
nominal diameters 1⁄4 in. and larger. F 606M Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical
1.2 The values stated in either SI (metric) or inch-pound Properties of Externally and Internally Threaded Fasteners,
units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values Washers, and Rivets [Metric]
stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each F 1470 Guide for Fastener Sampling for Specified Mechani-
system must be used independently of the other. Combining cal Properties and Performance Inspection
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance F 1789 Terminology for F16 Mechanical Fasteners
with the specification. 2.2 ISO Standard:
1.3 When the engineering requirements of the application ISO/DIS 6157/II Fasteners, Surface Discontinuities on
necessitate control of surface discontinuities on nuts, the Nuts3
purchaser shall specify conformance to this ASTM specifica-
tion in the original inquiry and purchase order. 3. Ordering Information
1.3.1 When the engineering requirements of the application 3.1 Orders for nuts requiring surface discontinuity control
necessitate that surface discontinuities on nuts be controlled shall include:
within limits closer than those specified in this specification, 3.1.1 ASTM designation and date of issue of this specifica-
the purchaser shall specify the applicable limits in the original tion.
inquiry and purchase order. 3.1.2 Special requirements, for example, closer discontinu-
1.4 The allowable limits established in this specification for ity limits (1.3.1) and inspection sampling plan (6.2).
metric nuts, with nominal diameters 5 to 24 mm inclusive, are
essentially identical with requirements given in ISO/DIS 6157/ 4. Types of Surface Discontinuities (See Standard F 1789
II. There are no ISO standards for surface discontinuities on for definitions not provided)
metric-series nuts with nominal diameters larger than 24 mm or 4.1 Crack:
on any inch-series nuts. 4.1.1 Quench Cracks—Typical quench cracks are shown in
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the Fig. 1; limits are specified in 5.2.
test method portion, Section 7, of this specification: This 4.1.2 Forging Cracks—Typical forging cracks are shown in
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, Fig. 2; limits are specified in 5.3.
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user 4.1.3 Inclusion Cracks—Normally caused by nonmetallic
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health inclusions or stringers inherent in the raw material. Typical
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- inclusion cracks are shown in Fig. 2; limits are specified in 5.3.
tions prior to use.

2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F16 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Fasteners and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F16.93 on Quality Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
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Assurance Provisions for Fasteners. the ASTM website.

3
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F 812/F 812M – 03. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

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 F 812/F 812M – 07

FIG. 1 Typical Quench Cracks in Nuts

FIG. 2 Typical Forging and Inclusion Cracks in Nuts FIG. 4 Typical Washer Retainer Cracks in Nuts

4.1.4 Locking-Element Cracks—Occur due to application of

pressure when forming the locking element of prevailing
torque-type nuts. Such cracks are usually located in the vicinity
of the locking element and may be either on the internal or
external surface. Typical locking element cracks are shown in
Fig. 3; limits are specified in 5.4.
4.1.5 Washer-Retainer Cracks—Openings in the lip or hub
of metal used to retain a washer on a nut. Washer-retainer
cracks may occur when pressure is applied to the lip or hub
during assembly of the washer. Typical washer-retainer cracks FIG. 5 Typical Bursts and Shear Bursts in Nuts
are shown in Fig. 4; limits are specified in 5.5.
4.2 Burst—A typical burst is shown in Fig. 5; limits are
specified in 5.6.
4.2.1 Shear Burst—A typical shear burst is shown in Fig. 5;
limits are specified in 5.6.
4.3 Seam—Typical seams are shown in Fig. 6; limits are
specified in 5.7.
4.4 Fold—Typical folds are shown in Fig. 7; limits are
specified in 5.8.

FIG. 6 Typical Seams in Nuts

4.5 Void—Voids are produced by marks or impressions of

chips (shear burrs) or by rust formation on the raw material.
They are not planished during forging. Typical voids are shown
in Fig. 8; limits are specified in 5.9.
4.6 Tool Marks—Typical tool marks are shown in Fig. 9;
FIG. 3 Typical Locking Element Cracks in Prevailing-Torque Nuts limits are specified in 5.10.
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 F 812/F 812M – 07

FIG. 7 Typical Folds on Surfaces of Nuts

FIG. 8 Typical Voids in Nuts

on flanged nuts; S designates nominal (specified maximum)

width across flats. For metric-series nuts, D, Dc, and S are in
millimetres; for inch series nuts, D, Dc, and S are in inches.
5.2 Quench Cracks—Quench cracks of any depth, any
length, or in any location are not permitted.
5.3 Forging Cracks and Inclusion Cracks—Forging and
inclusion cracks located in the top and bottom faces of nuts of
all sizes are permitted provided that ( a) there are not more than
two cracks that extend from the tapped hole across the full
width of the face; (b) no crack extends into the tapped hole
beyond the first full thread; (c) no crack in the threads exceeds
a depth of 0.5 times the thread height; and (d) the width of any
crack does not exceed 0.02 D or 0.30 mm or 0.012 in.,
whichever is greater.
5.3.1 Additionally, hex nuts with nominal diameters 5 to 36
mm inclusive and 1⁄4 to 11⁄2 in. inclusive, showing discontinuity
FIG. 9 Typical Tool Marks on Nut Surface indications, shall meet the requirements of the cone proof load
test when sampled in accordance with 6.1, using samples
4.7 Gouge and Nick—an indentation on the surface of a selected in accordance with 6.5.2.
fastener produced by impact with another fastener, or from 5.4 Locking Element Cracks:
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processing equipment during manufacture, handling, or trans- 5.4.1 Locking-element cracks (or seams) located on the
port. external surface of the locking element of prevailing torque
nuts are permitted provided that the net meets all applicable
5. Allowable Limits torque requirements.
5.1 Letter Definitions—Throughout the following require- 5.4.1.1 Additionally, hex nuts with nominal diameters 5 to
ments, D designates the nominal nut size (basic major diameter 36 mm inclusive and 1⁄4 to 11⁄2 in. inclusive, showing discon-
of thread); Dc designates flange diameter (specified maximum) tinuity indications, shall meet the requirements of the cone

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 F 812/F 812M – 07
proof load test when sampled in accordance with 6.1, using 5.10.1 Tool marks on the bearing surface are permitted
samples selected in accordance with 6.5.2. provided the surface roughness measurement does not exceed
5.4.2 Locking-element cracks located on the internal sur- 3.2 µm or 125 µin., determined as the arithmetic average
face (threaded or unthreaded) of prevailing torque nuts are deviation from the mean surface.
permitted provided that (a) no crack exceeds a length of two 5.10.2 Tool marks on other surfaces of the nut are permitted.
thread pitches; (b) no crack shall extend into the thread root; 5.11 Nicks and Gouges—Nicks, gouges, dents, and scrapes
and (c) no crack shall have a width exceeding the following: are permitted provided that the functionality of the nut is not
5.4.2.1 Metric-Series Nuts—0.18 mm for nuts with nominal impaired.
diameters 5 to 10 mm inclusive, 0.25 mm for nuts with nominal
diameters over 10 to 24 mm inclusive, and 0.40 mm for nuts 6. Inspection and Evaluation
with nominal diameters larger than 24 mm. 6.1 Nuts shall be inspected for surface discontinuities in
5.4.2.2 Inch Series Nuts—0.007 in. for nuts with nominal accordance with the procedures in 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4.
diameters 1⁄4 to 7⁄16 in. inclusive, 0.010 in. for nuts with 6.2 The purchaser shall specify in the original inquiry and
nominal diameters over 7⁄16 to 1 in. inclusive, and 0.016 in. for purchase order the inspection sampling requirements which the
nuts with nominal diameters larger than 1 in. producer must satisfy to demonstrate the acceptability of nuts
5.5 Washer-Retainer Cracks—Washer-retainer cracks are with respect to surface discontinuities.
permitted if their location is limited to the contour of the lip or 6.3 In the absence of purchaser instructions (6.2), inspection
hub used for retaining purposes. and evaluation shall be in accordance with 6.5.
5.6 Bursts and Shear Bursts: 6.4 For referee purposes, unless other procedures have been
5.6.1 For hex nuts, bursts and shear bursts are permitted specified by the purchaser (6.2), inspection and evaluation shall
provided that (a) no burst or shear burst in the flats extends into be in accordance with 6.5.
the crown (chamfer) circle on the top of the nut or into the 6.5 Inspection Procedure:
bearing circle on the bottom face; (b) no burst or shear burst 6.5.1 Visual Inspection:
located at the intersection of the top or bottom face with a 6.5.1.1 A random sample shall be taken from the lot in
wrenching flat has a width greater than 0.25 mm or 0.010 in. accordance with Guide F 1470, and examined visually for the
plus 0.02 S; and (c) no burst occurring at the intersection of two presence of quench cracks, forging cracks, inclusion cracks,
wrenching flats reduces the width across corners below its locking-element cracks, washer retainer cracks, bursts, shear
specified minimum. bursts, seams, folds, voids, tool marks, and nicks and gouges.
5.6.2 For flanged nuts, bursts and shear bursts at the 6.5.1.2 If during this inspection any nuts with quench cracks
periphery of the flange are permitted provided that (a) not more are found, the lot may be rejected by the purchaser.
than one of the bursts or shear bursts has a width greater than 6.5.1.3 If during this inspection any nuts are found with any
0.04 Dc , and (b) the width of the one burst or shear burst that other surface discontinuity, each discontinuity shall be mea-
exceeds a width of 0.04 Dc does not have a width greater than sured and if any is found that exceeds the allowable dimen-
0.08 Dc. sional limits for that discontinuity as specified in Section 5, the
5.7 Seams—Seams are permitted provided that no seam has lot may be rejected by the purchaser.
an open width at the surface greater than 0.013 D for nuts with 6.5.1.4 Measurement of Surface Discontinuities in Nuts:
nominal diameters 5 to 6 mm inclusive; 0.02 D for metric nuts
(1) For discontinuities originating from a flat: at the extrem-
with nominal diameters larger than 6 mm; and 0.02 D for all
ity of the discontinuity measure distance D perpendicular to the
sizes of inch-series nuts.
flat where the discontinuity originated (see Fig. 10).
5.7.1 Additionally, hex nuts with nominal diameters 5 to 36
mm inclusive and 1⁄4 to 11⁄2 in. inclusive, showing discontinuity
indications, shall meet the requirements of the cone proof load
test when sampled in accordance with 6.1 using samples
selected in accordance with 6.5.2.
5.8 Folds—Folds located at the intersection of the flange
periphery and bearing surface of flanged nuts shall not project
below the bearing surface. All other folds on nuts are permit-
ted.
5.9 Voids:
5.9.1 Voids on the surfaces of nuts are permitted provided
that (a) depth of voids does not exceed 0.25 mm or 0.010 in. or
0.02 D, whichever is greater, and (b) the combined area of all
voids on the bearing surface does not exceed 10% of the
specified minimum-bearing surface area.
5.9.2 The method for determining the area of voids on the
bearing surface shall be as agreed upon by purchaser and
producer.
5.10 Tool Marks: FIG. 10 Measurement of Surface Discontinuities
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 F 812/F 812M – 07
(2) For discontinuities originating from a corner: at the 7. Test Method
extremity of the discontinuity measure distance D in a straight
7.1 Cone Proof Load Test—If required in 6.5.2, the cone
line to the corner where the discontinuity originated (see Fig.
proof load test shall be conducted in accordance with the Cone
10).
Proof Load Test Methods F 606 (Inch products), or F 606M
6.5.2 Mechanical Testing—During the visual inspection, all
hex nuts with nominal diameters 5 to 36 mm inclusive and 1⁄4 (Metric products).
to 11⁄2 in. inclusive, that have indications of forging cracks,
inclusion cracks, locking-element cracks on external surfaces, 8. Keywords
or seams, shall be set aside. From this lot, a sample of size in 8.1 Crack; Discontinuities (Surface); Fold; Nut; Seam;
accordance with Guide F 1470, and consisting of those nuts Void.
indicating the most serious defects, shall be cone proof load
tested as specified in 7.1. If any nut fails to meet the
requirements of this test, the lot may be rejected by the
purchaser.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee F16 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
F 812/F 812M-03 that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) 4.7 was revised.

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