What Are SAE Bolts?

SAE bolts are one of the most common types of hardware you can find in many home improvement and automotive stores. These bolts have a threaded body that can be screwed into a matching nut to secure the hardware together. If you’re a new homeowner, a car or truck enthusiast, or just a DIYer looking to get started on projects around the house or garage, it’s important to know about different types of hardware and what their specifications are. This article will cover what a SAE bolt is, how to identify if you need an SAE or metric bolt, and some helpful information that will help you determine the right size bolt for your next project.

The most basic type of SAE bolt is the threaded rod or stud. These are long, cylindrical rods with a threaded body that can be turned into place with a wrench or socket to hold other components in place. They come in various lengths and materials, depending on the application and the intended strength of the fastener. For example, the SAE bolts used to hold the engine in a vehicle are often of high strength to ensure that the engine won’t fail under extreme conditions.

Another type of SAE bolt is the head bolt, which has a threaded end that’s used to secure a nut onto the top side of the bolt. These bolts are often used to attach a component to the chassis of a vehicle or to a flange in a pipe system. They’re also used in industrial applications and can be made from metals such as carbon steel or alloy steel.

A hex bolt has a hexagonal outer surface, which is the shape that most people are familiar with when they think of a bolt. Hex bolts are available in a variety of diameters and lengths, so they’re useful in a wide range of applications. They’re also available in different grades and strengths, which can be helpful when selecting the best bolt for a particular job.

There are several different grading systems for bolts, including the SAE and metric grading systems. The most common grade of SAE bolt is Grade 8, which has a tensile strength up to 150,000 psi. This grade of bolt is commonly used in home and automotive applications, as well as some industrial projects.

For metric bolts, the ISO 898-1 property class is the most common standard. This identifies the strength of a bolt, and is usually displayed on the head of the bolt in a raised or depressed lettering. There are 10 different property classes, and the higher the number, the stronger the bolt. For instance, ISO 898-1 Property Class 12.9 is the highest strength metric bolt, and is most often used in critical applications such as military or heavy machinery. The lower the number, the weaker the bolt.