Specifying Carriage Bolts in Grade 8.8 Steel pairs the dimensional form of Carriage Bolts (DIN 603) with the engineering properties of Grade 8.8 Steel. This page explains when to choose the grade, how it behaves in service, and which grades to compare it against.
Why Choose Grade 8.8 Steel for Carriage Bolts
The workhorse medium-carbon alloy grade for structural joints. For carriage bolts, this matters when requires plating (zinc) for corrosion protection is the primary requirement.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Grade designation | class 8.8 |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Magnetic |
| Service temperature | up to approx. +300 °C |
| Corrosion characteristic | Requires plating (zinc) for corrosion protection |
Galvanic & Galling Considerations
For carriage 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 Carriage Bolts, class 10.9 or 12.9 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 Carriage Bolts Available in Grade 8.8 Steel
| Size | Pitch (mm) | Head diameter dk (mm) | Head height k (mm) | Square neck width (mm) | Square neck depth (mm) | Common length range (mm) | Reference standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M5 | 0.8 | 13.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 16~80 | DIN 603 / ISO 8677 |
| M6 | 1.0 | 16.0 | 3.5 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 16~120 | DIN 603 / ISO 8677 |
| M8 | 1.25 | 20.0 | 4.5 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 20~160 | DIN 603 / ISO 8677 |
| M10 | 1.5 | 25.0 | 5.5 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 25~200 | DIN 603 / ISO 8677 |
| M12 | 1.75 | 30.0 | 7.0 | 12.0 | 6.0 | 30~240 | DIN 603 / ISO 8677 |
| M14 | 2.0 | 35.0 | 8.0 | 14.0 | 7.0 | 40~260 | DIN 603 / ISO 8677 |
| M16 | 2.0 | 40.0 | 9.0 | 16.0 | 8.0 | 40~300 | DIN 603 / ISO 8677 |
| M20 | 2.5 | 50.0 | 11.0 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 50~300 | DIN 603 / ISO 8677 |