ASTM A320 L7M STUD BOLT A194 7M HEAVY HEX NUTS

ASTM A320 L7M STUD BOLT C/W 2 A194 7M HEAVY HEX NUTS

ASTM A320 Gr. L7M STUD BOLT for Low Temperature service

ASTM A320 is the specification covers alloy steel bolting materials for pressure vessels, valves, flanges, and fittings for low-temperature service

Grade L7M is a heat-treated chromium- molybdenum alloy steel with minimum tensile requirement under ASTM A320

ASTM A320 L7M is manufactured from AISI 4140 round bar and is supplied in a quenched and tempered condition.

ASTM A320 L7M  Chemical composition

ElementComposition, % A
Chromium Molybdenum B
Carbon, max0.38 – 0.48
Manganese0.75 – 1.00
Phosphorus, max0.035
Sulfur, max0.040
Silicon0.15 – 0.35
Chromium0.80 – 1.10
Molybdenum0.15 – 0.25

ASTM A320 Impact Test Requirements (Notch Toughness)

Size of Specimen, mmTest TemperatureMinimum impact value required for average of each set of three specimens, ft-lbf [J]Minimum impact value permitted for one specimen only of a set, ft-lbf [J]
°F°C
10 X 10-100-7320 [27]15 [20]
10 X 7.516 [22]12 [16]

Nuts and Washers for A320 L7M Stud bolt

A194 Grade 7M nuts at a hardness not exceeding 235 HBW (or equivalent) shall be used with Grade L7M bolts, studs, and stud bolts. All nut impact tests shall be made on test specimens taken from the bar or plate from the heat of steel used for manufacturing the nuts, and heat treated with the nut blanks.

A320 L7M Stud bolt heat Treatment

For L7M bolting, the final heat treatment, which may be the tempering or stress-relieving operation conducted at 1150 °F [620 °C] minimum, shall be done after machining or rolling of the threads and any type of cutting

A320 L7M Stud bolt Hardness requirement

The maximum hardness of Grade L7M shall be 235 HBW or 99 HRB (conversion in accordance with Table Number 2B of Test Methods and Definitions A370). Minimum hardness shall not be less than 200 HBW or 93 HRB. Conformance to this hardness shall be ensured by testing each bolt or stud by Brinell or Rockwell B methods in accordance with 6.3.1

Surface Treatments

    1. Plating
      • Zinc (White / Yellow / Black)
      • Cadmium (White / Yellow / Black)
      • Zinc Nickel
    1. Galvanising
      • Hot-Dipped Galvanise
      • Mechanical Galvanise
    1. Fluorocarbon Coating
      Xylan® / Dupont Coating Systems:
      • Xylar 2
      • Xylan 1070
      • Xylan 1424

ASTM A320 L7M Stud bolt specification

PropertyASTM A320 L7M Requirement
MaterialAlloy Steel (AISI 4140/4142)
Tensile Strength≥ 100 ksi (690 MPa)
Yield Strength≥ 80 ksi (550 MPa)
Hardness≤ 235 HBW or ≤ 99 HRB
Impact ToughnessCharpy V-notch at -73°C
Heat TreatmentQuenched & Tempered
Corrosion ResistanceSuitable for sour service (NACE MR0175/ISO 15156)
Thread TypeUNC (Coarse) or UNF (Fine) Metric thread

Difference Between ASTM A320 L7 vs. L7M

FeatureL7L7M
Hardness≤ 35 HRC (≥ 248 HBW)≤ 235 HBW (≤ 99 HRB)
ApplicationGeneral low-temp useSour gas (H₂S) service
Impact TestRequired at -101°CRequired at -73°C
ToughnessModerateHigher toughness
Corrosion ResistanceStandardBetter (NACE MR0175 compliant)

L7M is specifically designed for environments with H₂S (sour gas), where lower hardness improves crack resistance.

Application of ASTM A320 L7M Stud Bolts

LNG Plants & Cryogenic Storage (-73°C / -150°F applications)
Petrochemical & Refineries (Piping, flanges, and equipment)
Offshore & Subsea Structures (Sour gas environments)
Power Plants & Boilers (Cold service bolting)