ASTM A 540/A540M : 2000

1.1 This specification covers regular and special-quality alloy steel bolting materials which may be used for nuclear and other special applications. Bolting materials as used in this specification cover rolled or forged bars, rotary pierced or extruded seamless tubes, bored bars, or forged hollows from forged or rolled bar segments to be manufactured into bolts, studs, washers, and nuts.

1.2 Several grades of steel are covered. The grade and class shall be specified by the purchaser.

1.3 Supplementary requirements of an optional nature are provided for use when special quality is desired. These supplementary requirements call for additional tests to be made and when desired shall be so stated in the order, together with the acceptance limits required.

1.4 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units and in SI units. However, unless the order specifies the applicable "M" specification designation (SI units), the material shall be furnished to inch-pound units.

1.5 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.