---
title: "What Are T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts Used For?"
description: "T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts (Trade series (T-head bolts)) are used for clamping a strap, rail or fixture with a T-head that seats in a slot or channel."
url: https://engineeringhardware.com/applications/t-bolts-and-tank-strap-bolts/
source: Engineering Hardware & Fasteners
---

# What Are T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts Used For?

Bolts · Trade series (T-head bolts) · Application guide

Typical applications, the industries that specify t-bolts and tank-strap bolts, and how to choose the right size, material and finish for the joint.

T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts are used for clamping a strap, rail or fixture with a T-head that seats in a slot or channel. They are manufactured to Trade series (T-head bolts), and the choice of size, property class and finish is driven by the load in the joint and the environment it sits in.

- **Primary duty:** Clamping a strap, rail or fixture with a T-head that seats in a slot or channel
- **Governing standard:** Trade series (T-head bolts)
- **Screw size range:** 1/4-20 through 3/4-10 to 3/8-24
- **Category:** Bolts

Application notes are general engineering guidance. Verify the property class and any approval requirement against your own design calculation.

![What Are T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts Used For? application image](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/T-Bolts-Tank-Strap-Bolts.webp)

Application guide for T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts to Trade series (T-head bolts). The core duty of the type is clamping a strap, rail or fixture with a T-head that seats in a slot or channel. The typical industries, the how-to-specify checklist, assembly practice and the exclusion cases are set out below. Stocked across roughly 1 to 3, they cover light-duty and instrument-scale work.

## Typical Applications for T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts

The most common settings where these are specified:

- **Tank and vessel assembly:** A T-head passes through a slot or access opening when the rear side cannot be held.
- **Machine frames:** The broad head bears against a strap or channel.
- **Agricultural equipment:** Coarse and fine thread options fit different adjustment nuts.
- **Fabricated brackets:** Collar versions control the installed orientation.

Product catalog

## Related T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts products

[![Manufacturing Quality 19mm Bandwidth Heavy Duty T Bolt Made with Sleeves](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Manufacturing-Quality-19mm-Bandwidth-Heavy-Duty-T-Bolt-Made-with-Sleeves.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/manufacturing-quality-19mm-bandwidth-heavy-duty-t-bolt-made-with-sleeves/)

T-Bolts & T-Slot Bolts

### [Manufacturing Quality 19mm Bandwidth Heavy Duty T Bolt Made with Sleeves](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/manufacturing-quality-19mm-bandwidth-heavy-duty-t-bolt-made-with-sleeves/)

Muffler Clamp · Standard

**US$3.36 – 15.36**MOQ 50 pieces

[![High Strength Carbon Steel T Bolt T Shape Bolt Hardware Fasteners](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/High-Strength-Carbon-Steel-T-Bolt-T-Shape-Bolt-Hardware-Fasteners.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/high-strength-carbon-steel-t-bolt-t-shape-bolt-hardware-fasteners/)

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### [High Strength Carbon Steel T Bolt T Shape Bolt Hardware Fasteners](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/high-strength-carbon-steel-t-bolt-t-shape-bolt-hardware-fasteners/)

Screw&Bolts · Carbon Steel/Stainless Steel/Steel/Brass/Alloy

**US$0.024**MOQ 5,000 pieces

[![Hardware Fastener Stainless Steel Bolt Screw Heavy Duty Square Head Bolt Grade 8 T-Bolt](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Hardware-Fastener-Stainless-Steel-Bolt-Screw-Heavy-Duty-Square-Head-Bolt-Grade-8-T-Bolt.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/hardware-fastener-stainless-steel-bolt-screw-heavy-duty-square-head-bolt-grade-8-t/)

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### [Hardware Fastener Stainless Steel Bolt Screw Heavy Duty Square Head Bolt Grade 8 T-Bolt](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/hardware-fastener-stainless-steel-bolt-screw-heavy-duty-square-head-bolt-grade-8-t/)

Hexagon Head · DIN, ANSI, GB, JIS, BSW, GOST, ISO

**US$0.11 – 0.59**MOQ 1,000 pieces

[![DIN Standard Stainless Steel A2-70 T Bolt for Slot Aluminum Extrusion Profile](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/DIN-Standard-Stainless-Steel-A2-70-T-Bolt-for-Slot-Aluminum-Extrusion-Profile.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/din-standard-stainless-steel-a2-70-t-bolt-for-slot-aluminum-extrusion-profile/)

T-Bolts & T-Slot Bolts

### [DIN Standard Stainless Steel A2-70 T Bolt for Slot Aluminum Extrusion Profile](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/din-standard-stainless-steel-a2-70-t-bolt-for-slot-aluminum-extrusion-profile/)

T Head · DIN, ANSI, GB, JIS

**US$0.0384 – 0.15**MOQ 3,000 pieces

[![China Factory Produces High Quality 95mm T Bolts](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/China-Factory-Produces-High-Quality-95mm-T-Bolts.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/china-factory-produces-high-quality-95mm-t-bolts/)

T-Bolts & T-Slot Bolts

### [China Factory Produces High Quality 95mm T Bolts](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/china-factory-produces-high-quality-95mm-t-bolts/)

Bolts · 10.9/12.9

**US$1.08**MOQ 3,000 pieces

[![T Head Bolt 10.9/12.9 Grade Carbon Steel M12-M36 60-500mm Length T Bolts ASTM A325 A307 Gr2 Gr5 193 B7 Zinc Plated Square Head Bolt](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/T-Head-Bolt-10-9-12-9-Grade-Carbon-Steel-M12-M36-60-500mm-Length-T-Bolts-ASTM-A325-A307-Gr2-Gr5-193-B7-Zinc-Plated-Square-Head-Bolt.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/t-head-bolt-10-9-12-9-grade-carbon-steel-m12-m36-60-500mm-length-t-bolts-astm-a325/)

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### [T Head Bolt 10.9/12.9 Grade Carbon Steel M12-M36 60-500mm Length T Bolts ASTM A325 A307 Gr2 Gr5 193 B7 Zinc Plated Square Head Bolt](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/t-head-bolt-10-9-12-9-grade-carbon-steel-m12-m36-60-500mm-length-t-bolts-astm-a325/)

Hexagon Head · DIN, ANSI, GB, JIS, Customization

**US$0.036 – 0.60**MOQ 1,000 pieces

[View all T-Bolts & T-Slot Bolts →](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener-products/bolts/t-bolts-t-slot-bolts/) [Full product catalog](https://engineeringhardware.com/products/)

## How to Specify T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts for Your Application

- **Size:** Match the nominal size to the mating thread or hole. This product spans 1–3; check the full table below for the exact dimensions of each size.
- **Strength class:** Choose the property class (e.g. 8.8, 10.9, 12.9 or A2/A4 stainless) for the load and environment, and tighten to the matching torque so the joint relies on preload, not friction.
- **Environment:** For damp, coastal or chemical exposure prefer A4/316 stainless or a suitable coating; indoors, plated steel or A2 is usually sufficient.
- **Standard:** This product is supplied to Trade series (T-head bolts). Quoting the standard on your order guarantees interchangeable dimensions between suppliers.

## Installation & Assembly Practice

- Tighten to the torque for the size and property class with a calibrated wrench — the joint is held by preload, not by the thread friction alone.
- Ensure at least one full thread projects beyond the nut after tightening, and never re-use a bolt that has been tightened into yield.
- Under slotted or oversized holes, fit a hardened washer so the preload does not relax into the hole edge.

## Common Selection Mistakes with T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts

- Specifying class 12.9 "to be safe" in a corrosive environment — high classes are more sensitive to hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion; 8.8 hot-dip galvanized often outlasts them outdoors.
- Choosing a length that puts the shear plane through the threaded portion when a plain shank (partially threaded bolt) was available.
- Mixing stainless bolts with plated-steel nuts: the joint loses its corrosion logic and can gall or seize.

## Where T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts Are Not the Right Choice

Not for permanent joints that will never be opened (a rivet or weld is cheaper), and not where the head must sit flush — use a countersunk screw instead.

Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing

## Need a t-bolts and tank-strap bolts outside the standard range?

Head form and drive can be specified to the assembly rather than to a standard: a larger bearing face, a security drive, or a socket sized for the tool already on the bench. Made by cold heading or hot forging.

Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval.

[Custom bolt manufacturing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/bolts/)[Send a drawing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/bolts/#rfq)

## Technical Drawing

Dimensioned line drawing of 3/8-16 T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts to Trade series (T-head bolts). Side view and top view, drawn to the dimensions in the table below and redrawn for any size selected.

- **Length (in):** 2-15/16
- **Head width (in):** 1-3/4
- **Head thickness (in):** 3/8
- **Tensile strength (psi):** 120000
- **Thread / finish:** coarse; steel / black-oxide / zinc-plated
- **Collar:** available

## Dimensions & Specifications (Trade series (T-head bolts))

| Thread size | Length (in) | Head width (in) | Head thickness (in) | Tensile strength (psi) | Thread / finish | Collar |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3/8-16 | 2-15/16 | 1-3/4 | 3/8 | 120000 | coarse; steel / black-oxide / zinc-plated | available |
| 3/8-24 | 3-11/16 | 2 | 1/2 | 120000 | fine; steel / black-oxide / zinc-plated | available |
| 1/2-13 | 3-3/4 | 2 | 1/2 | 120000 | coarse; steel / black-oxide / zinc-plated | available |
| 1/4-20 through 3/4-10 |  |  |  |  | coarse and fine options | available |

Inside the plant

## Manufactured in our own plant

This part is cold-formed, threaded, heat-treated and finished in-house. The stages below are where its class and finish are actually decided.

1. ![Wire rod feeding into a cold heading machine](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-wire-rod-feed-cold-heading-machine.webp) 01 **Cold heading** Wire rod is drawn to size and cold-formed into blanks. Forming rather than cutting keeps the grain flow continuous around the head, which is where a bolt is most likely to fail. Head dimensions and under-head radius checked at set-up and per shift.
2. ![Thread rolling machine producing bolt threads](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03-thread-rolling-machine-bolt-production.webp) 02 **Thread rolling** Threads are rolled between hardened dies rather than cut. Rolled threads are stronger in fatigue than cut threads and hold pitch and flank angle far more consistently across a batch. Go / no-go ring gauges to ISO 965 tolerance class 6g.
3. ![Baskets of bolts staged for heat treatment](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/05-heat-treatment-baskets-black-bolts.webp) 03 **Heat treatment** Quench-and-temper brings carbon and alloy steel to the property class ordered — 8.8, 10.9 or 12.9 — with the furnace charge tracked so a finished lot can be traced back to it. Core hardness and tensile tested per lot to ISO 898-1.
4. ![Zinc plated bolts in a treatment basket](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/23-zinc-plated-bolts-treatment-basket.webp) 04 **Surface treatment** Zinc, zinc-nickel, hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, phosphate and Dacromet, selected against the service environment rather than against the price list. Coating thickness and neutral salt spray hours to ISO 9227.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How do I choose the right size of T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts?

Match the nominal size to the mating thread or hole. This product is available from 1 to 3; the full dimension table on this page lists each size.

### How tight should T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts be torqued?

Tighten to the torque for the size and property class so the joint is held by bolt preload. The size pages and torque reference table give recommended values; use a calibrated torque wrench for anything structural.

### What material should T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts be for outdoor use?

For damp, coastal or chemical environments specify A4 (316) stainless or a suitably coated steel. For indoor or dry use, A2 (304) stainless or zinc-plated steel is normally adequate.

### Are T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts made to a recognized standard?

Yes — they are manufactured to Trade series (T-head bolts), so dimensions are interchangeable between suppliers when you quote the standard on your order.

### Can I get a quote for T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts in the size and material I need?

Yes. Use the technical drawing and quote form on this page to set the size and options, then send the exact configuration to our team for pricing and lead time.

## Related Pages

Product page: [T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts — specifications & sizes](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener/t-bolts-and-tank-strap-bolts/)

### T-Bolts and Tank-Strap Bolts Specification Guides

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