HexFastener Resources

Engineering Guides

Practical references for buyers and engineers sourcing industrial fasteners — threads, property classes, materials and coatings, written from production experience.

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ASTM A193 Grade B7: Material, Strength and Specification
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ASTM A193 Grade B8: Material, Class 1, Class 2 and Class 2B
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ASTM A194 Nuts: 2H, 2HM, 8 and 8M Explained

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ASTM A193 Grade B7M: Material, Strength and B7 Comparison
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ASTM A193 Grade B8M: 316 Stainless, Class 1 vs Class 2
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ASTM A193 Bolt and ASTM A194 Nut Compatibility Guide

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Why Automakers Choose Dacromet Over Zinc Plating: Hydrogen, Salt Spray and Friction
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Dacromet-Coated Fasteners: Chinese Standards and Process

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Chromium-Free Dacromet: Standards, Alternatives and Selection
02
What Is GEOMET? 321, 360, 430, 500 and 720 Explained

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316 Stainless Steel Fasteners: Applications, Grades and Service Limits
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310S Stainless Steel Fasteners: What to Specify for High-Temperature Service
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What Is Austenitic Stainless Steel? A Fastener Buyer's Guide

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304 vs 316 Stainless Steel Fasteners: What the Data Says
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A2-70 and A4-80: How to Read Stainless Fastener Markings
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Why Stainless Threads Seize: Galling and How to Prevent It

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Copper Alloy Fasteners: How Material, Temper and Manufacturing Affect Performance

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Choosing Grade 2 or Grade 5 Titanium Fasteners

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Installing Titanium Fasteners: Torque, Galling and Preload Control

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How to Read Bolt Sizes: Metric and Inch Callouts Explained
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UNC and UNF Threads: How Pitch Changes Joint Performance

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Fastener Grades Explained: What 8.8, Grade 8, A2-70 and B7 Mean
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Bolt Grades 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9: What the Numbers Really Mean
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Grade 5 vs Grade 8 Bolts: Strength, Markings and Applications

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Spring Washers: Uses, Sizes, and What to Specify

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Do Lock Washers Work? Washers, Locking Methods and Sixty Years of Vibration Data

More engineering guides

35CrMo · 4135How to Read Chinese Alloy Structural Steel Grades: 35CrMo and 42CrMoLearn how Chinese alloy structural steel grade names work, what 35CrMo and 42CrMo mean, and why 4135, SCM435 and 34CrMo4 are similar—not identical—grades.Sep 10, 2026 · 4 min
black oxide · corrosionWhy Do Black Oxide Bolts Rust—and Should You Use Zinc Plating Instead?Find out why black oxide bolts rust, when zinc plating is the better choice, and what thread-fit, torque and hydrogen controls belong on the RFQ.Sep 13, 2026 · 9 min

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Engineering Guides

ASTM A193 and A194 Guide: B7 vs B8, Grades and NutsGuide

ASTM A193 Grade B7: Material, Strength and Specification

ASTM A193 Grade B8: Material, Class 1, Class 2 and Class 2B

ASTM A194 Nuts: 2H, 2HM, 8 and 8M Explained

ASTM A193 Grade B7M: Material, Strength and B7 Comparison

ASTM A193 Grade B8M: 316 Stainless, Class 1 vs Class 2

ASTM A193 Bolt and ASTM A194 Nut Compatibility Guide

Dacromet and Zinc-Flake Coatings for High-Strength FastenersGuide

Why Automakers Choose Dacromet Over Zinc Plating: Hydrogen, Salt Spray and Friction

Dacromet-Coated Fasteners: Chinese Standards and Process

Chromium-Free Dacromet: Standards, Alternatives and Selection

What Is GEOMET? 321, 360, 430, 500 and 720 Explained

304 Stainless Steel Fasteners: When to Use Them and What to SpecifyGuide

316 Stainless Steel Fasteners: Applications, Grades and Service Limits

310S Stainless Steel Fasteners: What to Specify for High-Temperature Service

What Is Austenitic Stainless Steel? A Fastener Buyer's Guide

304 vs 316 Stainless Steel Fasteners: What the Data Says

A2-70 and A4-80: How to Read Stainless Fastener Markings

Why Stainless Threads Seize: Galling and How to Prevent It

Copper, Brass and Bronze Fasteners: Where Each Material FitsGuide

Copper Alloy Fasteners: How Material, Temper and Manufacturing Affect Performance

Titanium Fasteners: Grades, Benefits and ApplicationsGuide

Choosing Grade 2 or Grade 5 Titanium Fasteners

Installing Titanium Fasteners: Torque, Galling and Preload Control

How to Specify a Bolt: Size, Thread, Grade, and FinishGuide

How to Read Bolt Sizes: Metric and Inch Callouts Explained

UNC and UNF Threads: How Pitch Changes Joint Performance

Fastener Grades Explained: What 8.8, Grade 8, A2-70 and B7 Mean

Bolt Grades 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9: What the Numbers Really Mean

Grade 5 vs Grade 8 Bolts: Strength, Markings and Applications

What Do Washers Do? Types, Functions, and SelectionGuide

Spring Washers: Uses, Sizes, and What to Specify

Do Lock Washers Work? Washers, Locking Methods and Sixty Years of Vibration Data

More engineering guides