ASTM A153 for Hardware

Figure 12: Galvanized Fasteners

The specification ASTM A153/A153M applies to hardware products such as castings,

fasteners, rolled, pressed, and forged products, and miscellaneous threaded objects
that will be centrifuged, spun, or otherwise handled to remove excess zinc (Figure 12).
The requirements for ASTM A153/A153M are very similar to those stated earlier for
ASTM A123/A123M, except for the addition of threaded products and embrittlement
requirements.

ASTM A153/A153M Requirements

Coating Thickness/Weight depends on the material category and steel

thickness, values are listed in Table 3

Threaded Products areas with threads are not subject to the coating thickness
requirement

Finish continuous, smooth, uniform

Embrittlement high tensile strength fasteners (>150ksi) and castings can be

subject to embrittlement

Appearance free from uncoated areas, blisters, flux deposits and gross dross
inclusions as well as having no heavy zinc deposits that interfere with intended use

Adherence the entire coating should have a strong adherence throughout the
service life of hot-dip galvanized steel

There are fabrication steps that may impair the corrosion protection of the hot-dip
galvanized coating; however, flaking or damage to the coating because of this is not
case for rejection. In all cases, good steel selection results in the formation of a higher
quality coating and finish on the product. The corrosion protection coating for threaded
products is applied after the product has been fabricated and further fabrication may
compromise the corrosion protection system. The one exception to this rule is the
internal threads of a nut that should be over-tapped after the coating is applied in order
to accommodate the coating thickness change on the thread of the bolts. In this case,
the zinc on the bolt threads provides the corrosion protection to the uncoated threads in
the nut.

There are certain fabrication techniques that can induce stresses into the steel and lead
to brittle failure. There are precautions given in ASTM A143/A143M that should be taken
in order to prevent embrittlement. In addition, selecting steels with appropriate
chemistries can help prevent embrittlement of malleable castings. A reproduction and
summary of the table given in ASTM A153/A153M, (Table 3), gives the different classes
of products and the minimum coating thickness required by the specification
Thickness or Weight (Mass) of Zinc Coating for Various Classes of
Material
Weight (Mass) of Zinc
Coating,

Coating Thickness, mils

oz/ft2 (g/m2) of Surface,

(microns), Minimum

minimum

Class of
Material

Average of

Any

verage of

Any

Specimens

Individual

Specimens

Individual

Tested

Specimen

Tested

Specimen

Thickness or Weight (Mass) of Zinc Coating for Various Classes of

Material
Class A
- Castings Malleable Iron,
Steel
Class B - Rolled,
Pressed, and

2.00 (610)

1.80 (550)

3.4 (86)

3.1 (79)

2.00 (610)

1.80 (550)

3.5 (85)

3.1 (79)

1.5 (458)

1.25 (381)

2.6 (66)

2.1 (53)

Forged articles
(except those
which would be
included under
Classes C and D)
B-1 - 3/16 in.
(4.76 mm) and
over in thickness
and over 15in.
(381 mm) in
length
B-2 under
3/16in.
(4.76mm) in
thickness and
over 15in.
(381mm) in
length

Thickness or Weight (Mass) of Zinc Coating for Various Classes of

Material
B-3 any
thickness and
15in. (381mm)

1.30 (397)

1.10 (336)

2.2 (56)

1.9 (48)

1.25 (381)

1.00 (305)

2.1 (53)

1.7 (43)

1.00 (305)

0.85 (259)

1.7 (43)

1.4 (36)

and under in
length
Class C
- Fasteners over
3/8in. (9.52mm)
in diameter and
similar articles.
Washers 3.16in.
and 1/4in (4.76
and 6.35 mm) in
thickness
Class D
- Fastners 3/8in
(9.52mm) and
under in
diameter, rivets,
nials and similar
articles. Washers
under 3/16in
(4.76mm) in
thickness

Thickness or Weight (Mass) of Zinc Coating for Various Classes of

Material
Note 1: Length of the piece, stated in Classes B-1, B-2, B-3, refers to the finished dimensiosn of the piece after fabrication

The ASTM A153 specification covers zinc coating (hot-dip) on iron and steel
hardware. See the below chart for the different classes covered under A153.
A newer and more fastener-appropriate specification, designed to replace
A153 Class C, approved in 2005 and covering the requirement for hot-dip
galvanizing bolts, screws, nuts, washers and other threaded fasteners
is ASTM F2329. It is slowly becoming more widely used and referenced, but
many publications and technical manuals are not revised on a regular basis,
so it may still be a while before F2329 is widely adopted. ASTM A123 is a
related hot-dip galvanizing specification covering iron and steel products
made from rolled and pressed shapes, castings, plates, bars, and strips. The
equivalent AASHTO specification to ASTM A153 is AASHTO M232.

Thickness or Weight of Zinc Coating for Various Classes

Description

Minimum Average
Coating Thickness, mils

Castings, Malleable Iron, Steel

3.4

ssed, forged articles except those covered by Classes C and D

See below B-1 through B-3

3/16" and over in thickness and over 15" in length

3.4

Under 3/16" in thickness and over 15" in length

2.6

Any thickness and under 15" in length

2.2

ver 3/8" in diameter and similar articles, washers 3/16" to 1/4"

thick

2.1

3/8" and under in diameter, rivets, nails and similar articles.

Washers under 3/16" thick

1.7

Minimum Coat
Individual

See below