ASTM 194

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a variety of carbon, alloy, and martensitic stainless steel nuts in the size range
through 4 in. and metric M6 through M100 nominal. It also covers austenitic stainless steel nuts in the
size range 1/4 in. and M6 nominal and above. These nuts are intended for high-pressure or high-temperature
service, or both. Grade substitutions without the purchaser's permission are not allowed.
1.2 Bars from which the nuts are made shall be hot-wrought. The material may be further processed by
centerless grinding or by cold drawing. Austenitic stainless steel may be solution annealed or annealed and
strain-hardened. When annealed and strain hardened austenitic stainless steel is ordered in accordance with
Supplementary Requirement S1, the purchaser should take special care to ensure that 8.2.2, Supplementary
Requirement S1, and Appendix X1 are thoroughly understood.
1.3 Supplementary requirements of an optional nature are provided. These shall apply only when specified
in the inquiry, contract, and order.
1.4 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units and in SI units. However, unless the order
specifies the applicable M specification designation (SI units), the material shall be furnished to inchpound units.
1.5 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the
standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets.e

GRADES
2- Carbon Steel heavy hex nuts
2H- Quenched & tempered carbon steel heavy hex nuts
2HM- Quenched & tempered carbon steel heavy hex nuts
4- Quenched & tempered carbon-molybdenum heavy hex nuts
7- Quenched & tempered alloy steel heavy hex nuts
7M- Quenched & tempered alloy steel heavy hex nuts
8- 304 Stainless heavy hex nuts
8M- 316 Stainless heavy hex nuts

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Grade
Identification Specification
Marking5

Material

Proof Hardness
Nominal Tempering Load Rockwell See
Size, In. Temp. F Stress,
Note
Min Max
ksi

ASTM A194
Grade 2

Medium
1/4 - 4
Carbon Steel

1000

150

159 352 1,2,3

ASTM A194
Grade 2H

Medium
Carbon Steel,
1/4 - 4
Quenched and
Tempered

1000

175

C24 C38 1,2

ASTM A194
Grade 2HM

Medium
Carbon Steel,
1/4 - 4
Quenched and
Tempered

1000

150

159 237 1,2,3

ASTM A194
Grade 4

Medium
Carbon Alloy
Steel,
1/4 - 4
Quenched and
Tempered

1100

175

C24 C38 1,2

ASTM A194
Grade 7

Medium
Carbon Alloy
Steel,
1/4 - 4
Quenched and
Tempered

1100

175

C24 C38 1,2

ASTM A194
Grade 7M

Medium
Carbon Alloy
Steel,
1/4 - 4
Quenched and
Tempered

1100

150

159 237 1,2,3

ASTM A194
Grade 8

Stainless AISI
1/4 - 4
304

80

126 300 4

ASTM A194
Grade 8M

Stainless AISI
1/4 - 4
316

80

126 300 4

NOTES:
1. The markings shown for all grades of A194 nuts are for cold formed and hot forged nuts. When
nuts are machined from bar stock, the nut must additionally be marked with the letter 'B'. The
letters H and M indicate heat treated nuts.
2. Properties shown are those of coarse and 8-pitch thread heavy hex nuts.
3. Hardness numbers are Brinell Hardness.
4. Nuts that are carbide-solution treated require additional letter A - 8A or 8MA.
5. All nuts shall bear the manufacturers identification mark. Nuts shall be legibly marked on one
face to indicate the grade and process of the manufacturer. Marking of wrench flats or bearing
surfaces is not permitted unless agreed upon between manufacturer and purchaser. Nuts coated
with zinc have an asterisk (*) marked after the grade symbol. Nuts coated with cadmium shall
have a plus sign (+) marked after the grade symbol.
6. Other less common grades exist, but are not listed here.
Inch Fastener Standards. 7th ed. Cleveland: Industrial Fasteners Institute, 2003. N-80 - N-81.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Element
2, 2H, and 2HM
4
7 and 7M (AISI 4140)
Carbon
0.40% min
0.40 - 0.50%
0.37 - 0.49%
Manganese
1.00% max
0.70 - 0.90%
0.65 - 1.10%
Phosphorus, max 0.040%
0.035%
0.035%
Sulfur, max
0.050%
0.040%
0.040%
Silicon
0.40% max
0.15 - 0.35%
0.15 - 0.35%
Chromium
0.75 - 1.20%
Nickel
Molybdenum
0.20 - 0.30%
0.15 - 0.25%

8 (AISI 304)
0.08% max
2.00% max
0.045%
0.030%
1.00% max
18.0 - 20.0%
8.0 - 11.0%

8M (AISI 316)
0.08% max
2.00% max
0.045%
0.030%
1.00% max
16.0 - 18.0%
10.0 - 14.0%
2.00 - 3.00%