There is no difference between these bolts. The “X”, “SC”, and “N” simply identify the type of connection the bolts are used in. “X” and “N” are bearing type connections, where the bolts are being used in shear.
“X” means these particular A325 heavy hex structural bolts will be used in a bearing type connection where the threads will be excluded from the shear plane, whereas “N” means the threads are included in the shear plane. “SC” signifies a slip-critical connection where the bolts are not being used in shear, but instead, the tension from the connection resists the shearing force. You simply require the same standard A325 heavy hex structural bolt but will be using them in three different connection types.
| SC | Slip-critical connection. |
|---|---|
| N | Bearing type connection with threads included in the shear plane. |
| X | Bearing-type connection with threads excluded from the shear plane. |
“SC”, “N”, and “X” specify solely the type of connections to use the A325 bolt in.
According to Note 2 in Section 3.8 (Ordering Information) of the new F3125 specification covering high strength structural bolts, “Bolts are sometimes detailed with names such as A325 HS, A325 SC, A325 x or A490 N. These names relate to connection design and bolt installation, but do not change the manufacturing requirements and are preferably not shown on bolt orders.”
There are other types of A325 bolts that do affect the type of bolt that needs to be purchased. For these, see the following chart.
| TYPE 1 | Medium carbon, carbon boron, or medium carbon alloy steel. |
|---|---|
| TYPE 2 | Withdrawn November 1991. |
| TYPE 3 | Weathering steel. |
| T | Fully threaded A325. (Restricted to 4 times the diameter in length) |
| M | Metric A325. |
| S | Modified thread length or head dimensions. |
The majority of A325 bolts being made in the market are A325 Type 1 and are available both plain and hot-dipped galvanized. Type 2 was withdrawn in 1991 and no longer is in use. Type 3 is a naturally corrosion-resistant weathering steel that typically is used in a plain finish (no finish). Availability for the steel can be limited and standard, mass-produced bolts start at 5/8″ diameter. Below 5/8″ diameter, heat-treatable weathering steel is not commonly available.
A325T bolts (covered under supplementary requirement (S1) of the A325 specification signifies that the A325 bolt must be completely threaded, but is limited to 4 times the diameter in length. Fully threaded A325 bolts longer than 4 times the diameter do not comply with the specification, will not be available in the marketplace, and technically cannot be manufactured. ASTM A449 should be considered in lieu of A325 bolts with extended threads that don’t meet the requirements of A325T. However, ASTM 3125, the new combined high strength structural bolting specification, added a new type S that allows for an A325 bolt to have altered thread length and head dimensions. Previously, altered thread lengths meant switching grades or accepting a bolt that didn’t technically conform to the A325 specification, but now marking the bolt head with an S allows for extended threads or using different head dimensions.
The connection information provided in this FAQ is applicable to not only A325 heavy hex structural bolts, but to A490 structural bolts as well.
Are there any manufacturers that produce a closed end wrench that fits the spline end for bolt up crews?
@Josh- We are sorry, but are not aware of anyone making such an item.
Is there any price difference in between A325X and A325N same dia bolts? Which one costlier?
@Neelan- The X and N designations only refer to how the bolt is used, the bolt itself is the same regardless.
After completing installation of 1 3/4″ A325 T bolts at 1/3 turn a ten percent check of bolts was completed at 360 Ft. Lbs. arbitration/verification torque established from completed connections which incorporated standard A 325 bolts. The A325 T bolts failed in some locations. Would changing these bolts out to A449 resolve this issue.
@Mike- First off, A325 bolts are only manufactured up to 1-1/2″ – the ASTM standard does not allow for them to be made larger. If what you have is being sold and certified as A325, I would question the integrity of the supplier. That said, A449 is virtually identical to A325 with the exception that A449 is available up to 3″ and does not have the other dimensional restrictions of A325. A449 is more of a general purpose fastener. Regardless, 360 ft-lbs is not an excessive torque value for bolts this size, so if you are getting failures there must be something else going on. Unfortunately we don’t have any engineers on staff, so we are unable to trouble shoot this issue for you. Apologies.
Is there any bolts like A325N SC and A325X SC?
@Vijay- A325 is the bolt regardless of how it is used. The letters N SC and X all detail how the bolt is used and the specifics of the application, but the bolt is the same in each of these joint types.
Kyle, looking for some A325SC bolts. Is this slip critical bolt the same as a standard A325
@Peter – Yes, an A325SC bolt is just a regular A325 bolt, but used in a slip critical application.
Can i get information about usage of A325 gr 5 and A325 gr 8 bolts?
@Gopal- You are asking about three different items. A325 is a specific kind of structural bolt, grade 5 is a general purpose bolt, and grade 8 is a very high strength general purpose bolt. These are three separate bolts that are each used in their own applications.