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| TYPE 2 | Withdrawn November 1991.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 Type 2 was withdrawn in 1991 and no longer is in use.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 1852 and/or 2280 heavy hex heads manufactured in the United States? Round head TC bolts are readily available, however hex heads, cannot locate anywhere. Reviewing 3125 leads the user to conclude that both TCs (1852 and 2280) are recognized for both hex and round head. Maybe the demand for hex head TC bolts is not great enough to manufacture in the US?
@Mike- To our knowledge, hex head TC bolts are no longer manufactured. Once upon a time they were more common, but it has been decades since we have seen or heard of one.
@ Dane McKinnon,
Thank you for clarifying the doubt, I was searching for the F-type connection.
Recently I went through one project there it mentioned “Connections with bottles with ASTM A325 high strength bolts N OR F type connections.”. Can anyone please explain what is F type connection?
@SBK- Type F is the old call out for slip critical connections (SC). The ‘F’ designation hasn’t been used in many years.
Is there a specific torque value for the A325N and is the torque value different if it were “X” or “SC”?
@John- The only difference between the N and X designation is whether or not threads are allowed in the shear plane. They are commonly used in shear, and so are only tensioned to snug tight, but it depends on the job. For SC designations, those are more commonly used in tension instead of shear, and these are commonly tensioned to the minimum value recommended by the AISC, which correlates roughly to the torque on our website here: https://www.portlandbolt.com/technical/bolt-torque-chart/#bolt-torque-a325
What is the meaning of twist off bolt? Where they are used and what are the machines used for this?
Can you help me to find the answer.
@Balasubramanian- A twist off bolt is a tension control bolt made per ASTM F3125 grade F1852 or F2280 and used in structural applications. Many places that specialize in selling these bolts are also able to supply or rent the installation guns.