http://www.portlandbolt.

com/technical/faqs/astm-a325-structural-bolt-connection-types/

My company is looking to purchase A325SC, A325N, and

A325X heavy hex structural bolts. What is the difference
between these three?
There is no difference between these bolts. The X, SC, and N simply identify the type of
connection the bolts are used in. X and N are bearing type connections, where the bolts are being
used in shear.

X means these particular A325 heavy hex structural bolts will be used in a bearing type connection
where the threads will be excluded from the shear plane, whereas N means the threads are included
in the shear plane. SC signifies a slip critical connection where the bolts are not being used in shear,
but instead the tension from the connection resists the shearing force. You simply require the same
standard A325 heavy hex structural bolt, but will be using them in three different connection types.

SC Slip critical connection.

N Bearing type connection with threads included in the shear plane.
X Bearing-type connection with threads excluded from the shear plane.

SC, N, and X specify solely the type of connections to use the A325 bolt in. There are other
types of A325 bolts that do affect the type of bolt that needs to be purchased. For these, see the
following chart.

TYPE 1 Medium carbon, carbon boron, or medium carbon alloy steel.

TYPE 2 Withdrawn November 1991.
TYPE 3 Weathering steel.
T Fully threaded A325. (Restricted to 4 times the diameter in length)
M Metric A325.
S Modified thread length or head dimensions.

The majority of A325 bolts being made in the market are A325 Type 1 and are available both plain
and hot-dipped galvanized. Type 2 was withdrawn in 1991 and no longer is in use. Type 3 is a
naturally corrosion-resistant weathering steel that typically is used in a plain finish (no finish).
Availability for the steel can be limited and standard, mass-produced bolts start at 5/8 diameter.
Below 5/8 diameter, heat-treatable weathering steel is not commonly available.

A325T bolts (covered under supplementary requirement (S1) of the A325 specification signifies that
the A325 bolt must be completely threaded, but is limited to 4 times the diameter in length. Fully
threaded A325 bolts longer than 4 times the diameter do not comply with the specification, will not be
available in the marketplace, and technically cannot be manufactured. ASTM A449 should be
considered in lieu of A325 bolts with extended threads that dont meet the requirements of A325T.
However, ASTM 3125, the new combined high strength structural bolting specification, added a new
type S that allows for an A325 bolt to have altered thread length and head dimensions. Previously,
altered thread lengths meant switching grades or accepting a bolt that didnt technically conform to
the A325 specification, but now marking the bolt head with an S allows for extended threads or using
different head dimensions.