When Hex Bolts are required in Grade 12.9 Steel, the alternative grades and the trade-offs between them matter as much as the dimensions. This page covers both, plus mechanical and corrosion data.
Why Choose Grade 12.9 Steel for Hex Bolts
The highest common strength class, for high-load machine assembly. For hex bolts, this matters when requires plating or black-oxide protection is the primary requirement.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Grade designation | class 12.9 |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Magnetic |
| Service temperature | up to approx. +300 °C |
| Corrosion characteristic | Requires plating or black-oxide protection |
Galvanic & Galling Considerations
For hex bolts in steel, the dominant compatibility issue is hydrogen embrittlement at high property classes (10.9 and above) when electroplated. Plating must be followed by an appropriate baking treatment, or a non-electroplated finish (mechanical zinc, zinc flake) should be substituted.
Comparable Grades
For Hex Bolts, class 8.8 is the comparable strength step. Move up when the joint preload approaches the proof load of the current class; move down when the joint is over-specified. For corrosion-critical service, switch to stainless A2 or A4.
Sizes of Hex Bolts Available in Grade 12.9 Steel
| Size | Pitch coarse (mm) | Width across flats s (mm) | Width across corners e min (mm) | Head height k nom (mm) | Nominal diameter d (mm) | Reference standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | 0.25 | 2.5 | 2.71 | 0.7 | 1.0 | ISO 4017 | Fully threaded |
| M1.2 | 0.25 | 3.0 | 3.28 | 0.8 | 1.2 | ISO 4017 | Fully threaded |
| M1.4 | 0.3 | 3.0 | 3.28 | 0.9 | 1.4 | ISO 4017 | Fully threaded |
| M1.6 | 0.35 | 3.2 | 3.48 | 1.1 | 1.6 | ISO 4014/4017 | Fully threaded |
| M2 | 0.4 | 4.0 | 4.32 | 1.4 | 2.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Fully threaded |
| M2.5 | 0.45 | 5.0 | 5.45 | 1.7 | 2.5 | ISO 4014/4017 | Fully threaded |
| M3 | 0.5 | 5.5 | 6.01 | 2.0 | 3.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Fully threaded |
| M4 | 0.7 | 7.0 | 7.66 | 2.8 | 4.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Fully threaded |
| M5 | 0.8 | 8.0 | 8.79 | 3.5 | 5.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Fully threaded |
| M6 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 11.05 | 4.0 | 6.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Fully threaded |
| M8 | 1.25 | 13.0 | 14.38 | 5.3 | 8.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Fully threaded |
| M10 | 1.5 | 16.0 | 17.77 | 6.4 | 10.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Fully threaded |
| M12 | 1.75 | 18.0 | 20.03 | 7.5 | 12.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M14 | 2.0 | 21.0 | 23.36 | 8.8 | 14.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M16 | 2.0 | 24.0 | 26.75 | 10.0 | 16.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M18 | 2.5 | 27.0 | 30.14 | 11.5 | 18.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M20 | 2.5 | 30.0 | 33.53 | 12.5 | 20.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M22 | 2.5 | 32.0 | 35.72 | 14.0 | 22.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M24 | 3.0 | 36.0 | 39.98 | 15.0 | 24.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M27 | 3.0 | 41.0 | 45.2 | 17.0 | 27.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M30 | 3.5 | 46.0 | 50.85 | 18.7 | 30.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M33 | 3.5 | 50.0 | 55.37 | 21.0 | 33.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M36 | 4.0 | 55.0 | 60.79 | 22.5 | 36.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M39 | 4.0 | 60.0 | 66.44 | 25.0 | 39.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M42 | 4.5 | 65.0 | 71.3 | 26.0 | 42.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M45 | 4.5 | 70.0 | 76.95 | 28.0 | 45.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M48 | 5.0 | 75.0 | 82.6 | 30.0 | 48.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M52 | 5.0 | 80.0 | 88.25 | 33.0 | 52.0 | ISO 4014/4017 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M56 | 5.5 | 85.0 | 93.56 | 35.0 | 56.0 | ISO 4014 | Partial / fully threaded |
| M60 | 5.5 | 90.0 | 99.21 | 38.0 | 60.0 | ISO 4014 | Partial / fully threaded |