18
U.S. Customs probes
mismarked Grade 5
cap screws
The U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency is reportedly requirements, including for tensile strength. See table (below) for full
investigating claims of chemically nonconforming Grade 5 cap comparison.
screws imported to the U.S. from Thailand, says John Wolz of The FIEG bulletin says, “US Customs could prosecute importers and
Fastenernews.com resellers of misrepresented products.” John Wolz concurs, “In the past
The allegations reportedly centre on Grade 5.2 cap screws incorrectly Customs has prosecuted sellers of misrepresented products under the
marked as Grade 5 cap screws. According to SAE J429, Grade 5 bolts must Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. 1125), which prohibits the sale of mismarked
be manufactured using a medium carbon steel with between 0.28% and products in the U.S.”
0.55% Carbon and are marked with a three-line “sunburst” evenly spaced
Fastenernews.com understands that the nonconforming Grade 5.2
on the bolt head. Grade 5.2 bolts, marked with a 3-line mark on one side fasteners could give suppliers an estimated 10% to 18% cost advantage
of the bolt head, are required to have a Carbon range between 0.15 and over Grade 5 cap screws that fully comply with SAE J429. In a letter
0.25%. obtained by
FastenerNews.com, IBECA Technologies Corp. president
Fastener + Fixing Magazine has received a bulletin from the Salim Brahimi reassured fastener executives that the issue appeared to
Fastener Industry Engineering group, which states, “During 2008 be limited to the incorrect markings on the cap screws. “The problem in
Tycoons Worldwide Group, using the head mark TY, shipped into the this case resulted from Tycoons having identified these parts as SAE J429
USA numerous orders of bolts identified as SAE J429 Grade 5 that do Grade 5,” Brahimi wrote. “It is important to emphasise that the parts are
not conform to Grade 5 chemical requirements.” FIEG is a cooperation not defective or ‘bad.’ Rather, they are incorrectly identified. The parts
between the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI), the National Fastener fully conform to SAE J429 Grade 5.2.”
Distributor’s Association (NFDA), the Western Association of Fastener The FIEG bulletin, however, advises distributors to immediate
Distributors (WAFD), and the Los Angeles Fastener Association (LAFA) quarantine remaining stocks of mismarked bolts, contact suppliers to
to provide educational information to the USA fastener industry on arrange for replacement, and seek legal advice on what action to take in
matters regarding fastener standards, quality, and conformance. FIEG regard to notifying end users who may have received these bolts.
says there have been no reported performance issues with the subject For more information refer to
www.fastenernews.com and the IFI
parts and notes that Grade 5 and Grade 5.2 have the same performance website
www.indfast.org
Physical Requirements Grade 5 Grade 5.2
Wedge Tensile Strength 120,000 PSI 120,000 PSI
Test Wedge Angle 10° 10°
Yield Strength 92,000 PSI 92,000 PSI
Proof Load 85,000 PSI 85,000 PSI
Hardness HRC 25 - 34 HRC 26 – 36
Tempering Temp 800° F 800° F
Chemical Requirements Grade 5 Grade 5.2
Carbon 0.28 – 0.55% 0.15 – 0.25%
Manganese - 0.74% min.
Phosphorus 0.03% max. 0.03% max.
Sulfur 0.05% max. 0.05% max.
Boron - 0.0005% min.
Grade Mark Requirements
Source: FIEG
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