Designation: F 879M - 91

METRIC

Standard Specification for

Stainless Steel Socket Button and Flat Countersunk Head
Cap Screws [Metric]'
This standanl is i$Sued under !he fixed designation F 879M: !he number irnrn.ediately following !he desiglWioo indicates the year of
original adoption or. in the case of revision. !he year of last revision. A number in pan:nlhesoes indic:lles the year of last <eapprovaL A
'''P'!'ffripr cp<iloo J.) indicates'AA cPiiWlal cball&e- siJlce.lbe last revilioo or reapproYaI.
This ~randarrJ has bun apprm't'd for liSt by ..~nci~s 01 rk Orpan~11f of OrlmM. COfLJll/r rk DoD InM.'{ 01 Sptci}ictlliOllf and
Sumdorrb I .., Ik specific )'t'or of iss/U "'hidl 1ras bu" tJdoplM by lhe lkpanrMnt of Orltnu.

I. Scope F 606M Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical

1.1 This specification covers the chemical and mechanical Properties of Externally and Internall y Threaded Fasteners,
requirements for stainless steel metric hexagon socket button Washers, and Rivets [MetricJ6
(SBHCS) and flat countersunk (SFHCS) head cap screws with F 738M Specification for Stainless Steel Metric Bolts,
nominal thread M 3 through M 20 intended for use in applica- Screws, and Studs6
tions requiring general corrosion resistance. F 7881F788M Specification for Surface Disconlinuities of
1.2 Two property classes are covered: Bolts. Screws, and Studs. Inch and Metric Series6
1.2. 1 Austenitic Clllss A I-50 in an annealed condition at 2.2 ANS I Standards:
500 MPa minimum. and B 18.3.4M Hexagon Socket Button Head Cap Screws, Met-
1.2.2 Austenitic Class A 1-70 in a cold-worked condition al ric Scries7
700 MPa minimum. B 18.3.5M Hexagon Socket Rat Countersunk Head Cap
1.3 The follow ing hazard cllveat pertains only to Section 12. Screws, Metric Series7
Test Methods: This standard does not purpon to address aff of 2.3 Military Standard:
the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsi- MIL- I- I72 14 Indicator, Permeability, Low Mu (GO-
bility of the /lser of this stalldard to establish appropriate safelY NOGO)8
allll health practice!>' ami determine the applicability of regll-
3. Classification
latory limitations prior 10 j/se.
3.1 The designation of the property class and conditions of
2. Referenced Documents this specification shall be consistent with the stainless steel
2.1 ASTM Standards: designations in Specification F 738.
A 262 Practices for Detecling Susceptibility to Intergranu· 3.2 The austenitic stainless steel socket screw shall be
lar Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels2 designated F 879M A I-50 or F 879M A 1-70.
A 342 Test Mcthods for Penneabi lity of Feebly Magnetic 4. Ordering Information
MaterialsJ
A 380 Practice for Cleaning and Descaling Stainless Steel 4. 1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
Parts, Equipment. and Systems 2 the following infonnation:
A 5551A555M Specification for General Requirements for 4.1. 1 Quantity (number of pieces of each item).
Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Wire and Wire Rods 2 4.1.2 Name of the screw, SBHCS or SFHCS.
D 395 1 Practice for Commercial Packaging4 4.1.3 Dimensions. including nominal thread designation,
E 353 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Stainless, thread pitch, and nominal screw length (millimetres). A stan-
Heat-Resisting. Maraging. and Other Similar Chromium- dard part number may be used for Ihis definition.
Nickel-Iron Alloys' 4. 1.4 Property Class A I-50 or A 1-70.
4. 1.5 Certification, if required (see Section 15).
4. 1.6 ASTM specification and year of issue.
I This spo:cific.uion is under the jurisdiction of ASTM CQmmiuee F-16 on 4.1.7 Any spec ial or su pplemental requirements (see
FlIsle.ltrs and is the direct ~ponsibiliry of SubcQmmiuee FI6.04 on NonfcrT<)US Supplementary Requirements S 1 through S 3).
Fastcners.
Current editiOll appro\'ed Feb. 22. 1991. Published April 1991. Originally
published as F 879 - 84. LaSt previous edition F 879 -9(b. • AIII'" ... I &ok of ASfM SWndorrb. VoI IS.08.
, AItI.....1 Bookol ASl'M SlOndonis. Vol 01.03 . • Available from American National SWIdards Institute. II West 4200 SI.. 13th
~ Ann ....1 Book of ASl'M SmndordJ. VoI 03.04. Aoor, New York. NY 10036.
• AnnlUlI Book of ASl'M S/andarrb. VoI IS.09. • Available from Standanlization DocumcnlS()rde,. Desk. Bldg. 4 5«'Iion D. 700
' A"",...,I Book of ASl'M Sl/Indi.rdJ, VoI 03.0S. Robbins A\'c .. Philadelphia. PA 19111·5094. Ann; NPODS.

283
 ~t F 879M
4.2 Govemmem Provisionill8 - Government procurement 8. Corrosion Resistance Requi rements
and design-selection criteria shall be specified in accordance 8.1 Carbide Precipitatioll:
with ANSI B I 8.3.4M or ANSI B 18.3.5M as appropriate. 8. 1.1 The austenitic alloys shall be free of carbide precipi-
5. Materials and Manuracture tatio n as specified in Practice A of Practices A 262.
8. 1.2 If the fasteners pass the requirements of 8.1. 1. they
- S.1 Screw, , h,1I be fonned by up,.,ting or e'troding, or
shall be considered acceptable. If they fail. they shall be tested
both.
in accordance with Practice C of Practices A 262 and shall
5.2 Screws shall be roll threaded.
show a corrosion rate not exceeding 0.05 mm/month.
5.3 Heat Treatment-Austenitic alloys Class A I-50 screws,
following manufacture. shall be annealed by heating to 1040 ± 9. Dimensio ns
30~C_lo obtain maximum corrosion resistance and minimum
9.1 Unless otherwise specified, the dimensio ns shall con-
penneabi lity. The screws shall be held for a sufficient time at
form to the requirements of ANSI B 18.3 .4M or ANSI
temperature, then cooled at a rate sufficient to prevent precipi-
B 18.3.5M, as specified.
tation of lhe carbide and provide the properties specified in
Table I. 10. Workma nship, FiniSh, a nd Appearance
6. Chemical Composition 10.1 Surface Finish-Unless otherwise speci fi ed, screws
6.1 It is the intent of this specification that screws shall be shall be cleaned or descaled, or both, in accordance with
ordered by property class. The chemical composition of the Practice A 380.
screws shall confonn 10 the requirements of Table 2. 10.2 . Surface DiscOlllinuities:
6.2 Unless otherwise specified in the inquiry and purchase 10.2. 1 The surface discontinuities for these products shall
order (see Supplementary Requirement S 2) when A I-50 or confornl to Specification F 788/F 788M and the additional
A 1-70 property class is specified. the choice of stainless steel limitations specificd herein.
used shall be that of the fas lener manufacturer as detennined 10.2.1.1 Forging defects that connect the socket to the
by his fabrication methods and material availability. The periphery of the head are not pennissible. Defects originating
specific stainless steel used by the manufacturer shall be clearly on the peri phery and with a traverse indicating a potential to
ide ntified on all certificatio n required in the purchase order and intersect are nOI pennissible. Other forging defects are pennis-
shall have a chemical composition confonning to the limits sible provided those located in the bearing area, fi llet, and top
specified in Table 2. surfaces shall nOI have a depth exceeding 0.03 D or 0.1 3 mm,
6.3 When chemical analysis is perfonned by the purchaser whichever is greater. For peri pheral discontinuities, the maxi-
using fini shed fasteners, the chem ical composition oblained mum depth may be 0.06 D (see Fig. I).
shall confonn to the limits specified in Table 2 for the specific 10.2. 1.2 Forging defects located in the socket wall within
alloy. Chemical composition shall confonn to the tolerances 0.1 times the actual key engagement, T, from the bottom of the
speci fied in Specification A 555/A 555M . socket are not pennissible. Discontinuities located elsewhere in
6.3. 1 In the event of a discrepancy, a referee analysis of the the socket shall not have a length exceeding 0.25 T, or a
samples for each lot as speci fi ed in 12.1 , shall be made in maximum depth of 0.03 D not to exceed 0. 13 mm (see Fig. 2).
accordance with 11 .3. 10.2. 1.3 Seams in the shank shall not exceed a depth of 0.03
D or 0.2 mm, whichever is greater.
7. Mecha nical Properties 10.2. 1.4 No transverse discontinuities shall be pennitted in
7. 1 The finished screws shall confonn to the mechanical the head-Io-shank fi llet area.
requirements specified in Table I. 10.2. 1.5 Threads shall have no laps at the root or on the
7.2 Screws having a nominal length equal to or greater than flanks . as shown in Fig. 3. Laps are pennitted at the crests (Fig.
three diameters shall be tensi le tested full size and shall meet 3(e» that do not exceed 25 % of the basic thread depth. and o n
the full size breaking strength requirements specified in Table the flanks outside the pitch cylinder. Longitudinal seams rolled
3. Tensile fai lures through the head are acceptable providing beneath the root of the thread and across the crests of the
the load requirements are satisfied. threads are acceptable within the limits of 10.2.1.3.
7.3 Screws that are too short (lengths less than specified in
7.2 or that have insufficient threads for tension tesling) shall 11. Number of Tests
not be subject to tension lests, but shall confonn 10 the 11. 1 The requirements of this specification shall be met in
maximum and minimum hardness requirements of Table I. continuous mass production for stock and the manufacturer
TABLE 1 Mech enicat Pro perty Requiremen ts
Full Size
Machined Specimen Tests
ProcIl.ICC Tests
Property Class
Tensile Extension. Tensile YIeld Strength. Elongation. Vd<ers Rockw&lI
Strength. MPa minA Strength. MPa MP, "". min ,"" m.. min max
At ·50 58S max 0.60 "15~ 350~. 40 220 BB8 BB8
M3·Mt4 A t·70 525 mln OAO 600 min 300 min 20 ' 90 330 696 C33
Mt6·M20A t·70 440 mln 270 min Btl3 COO
AD Denotes nominal thread Size.
OAO 550 min
" '60 3tO

284
 ~IDll F 879M

Property
C... SiS

,..
C,,"""

0.0.
Manganese

2.00
p- TABl.E 2 Chemical Requirements

0.045
Composition, % maximlllTl except as shown

Sutlur
Austenitic AIoys
0.030
Silloon

LOO
Chromium

18.0 to 20.0
Nickel

8.0 to 10.5
"-50 305 0.12 200 0.045 0.030 LOO 17.0 to 19.0 10.5 to 13.0
AI-70 0.08 LOO 11.0 to 19.0
""
XM7 0.10
200
2.00
0.045
0.045
0030
0.030 LOO
15.0 to 17.0
17.0 to 19.0 B.O 10 10.0 3.00 to 4.00

TABLE 3 Breaking Strength Values tor Full Size Fasteners PERMI SSIBLE (Within 'ERMISSIBLE (Wi thin
NOTE- Breaking loads Bre based on tensil e stress area and specified Umiu) spec.fitd Ilmi u)
s trengths Of' 585"MPa max for A, .SO and 525 MPs min through
M 14 and 440 MPa min for A 1·70. The minimum loads for cla ss
A ' ·70 are based on the tensile properties of 655 MPa material
strength through M 14 and 550 MPa malerial strength M 16 and
above, reduced by 20 % to allow for the head critical nalure of
the se configurations.
Alloy CIUs Alloy Class
Nominal Size and Stress Area, AI -SO AI-70
Thread P~ch mm' NOT PERMISSIBLE
kN , ~ kN . mill (Poten tu! inltTKcti",
(Connects socket and
M3 x 0.5 5.03 2." 2." the edge of head) - - - - ' d i ~conUllu iti c s)
M4 x 0.7 8.78 5.13 4 .61

MS X 0.8 14.2
PER MISSIBLE (Withi n
8.31 7.46
M6 x 1.0 20.1 11 .8 10.6 specified limits) ~PER MI SSIBLE (With·
in specified limi ts )
Ma x 1.25 36' 21.4 19.2

MID
M1 2
x
x 1.15
M14 x 2.0
1.5 58.0
".3
115.0
33.'
49.3
67.3
30.5
" .3
60.'
Q
MI6 x 2.0 151.0 91.9 69.1
M20 x 2.5 245.0 143.0 108.0
''::~'''''"7- PERMISSIBLE (Wi thin
specified limi ts)

shall make sample inspections to ensure that the product

conforms IQ lhe specified requirements. Additional tests of FIG. 1 Head OlscontJnulties (See 10.2.1)
individual shipments of material are not ord inari ly necessary. A
record of the individual heats of steel in each test 101 shall be 1).10 T I No . u.k, pc,.
maintained. The containers shall be coded to pennit identifi- """dl",~",," )
cation of the lot. NOT PERMISSiBl E
tAl b ... of _ ".,
11.2 When specified in the purchase order. the manufacturer "'''''~I"O.IOTor
shalt furnish a test report of the last complete set of chemical "..e of_tel)
analysis and mechanical tests for each stock size in each
shipment. HRMISSl8LE (No . . . •
PER""SSI8LE I tn.h<
11 .3 When the purchaser requires that additional tests boltom of lO<te'. M' ,n . ..dlnl a .HT ,. 10.1'"
Ih. " •• of t cy <..., c· ..'" "0' ..·"hin O.IO T
(Supplementary Requirement SI) be pcrfonned by the manu- m.m l QI DJ .. ~f ",d:;.1)

facturer to determine that the properties of products in an FIG. 2 Socket Olscontinultles (See 10.2.1)
individual shipment are within specified limits, the purchaser
shall specify the testing requirements, including the sampling
plan and basis of acceptance in the inquiry and purchase order.
11 .3. 1 When the purchaser does not specify the sampling
Number 01 Pieces in Lot

800 and less

So_
Number o f

l
plan and basis of acceptance, the fo llowing shall apply: Over 800 to 8000, incl 2
Over 8000 to 22 000, incl 3
11.3.1.1 The lot. for purposes of selecti ng samples, sllllll Over 22 000 5
consist of all products offered for inspectio n and testing at one 11.3.1.3 Shou ld any sample fail to meet the requirements of
time, that are of the same type, style. no minal diameter. thread a specified test, double the number of samples from the same
pitch, nominal le ngth. materia l. property class, and surface lot shall be rctested for the requirement(s) in which it failed.
fi nish. All of the additional samples shall confonn to the specificat ion
11 .3. 1.2 From each lot. samples shall be selected at random or the lot shall be rejected.
and tested for each requirement in accordance with the 11 .3 .1.4 If the fai lure of a test specimen is due to improper
following: preparation of the specimen or an incorrect testing technique,
285
 ~t F 879M
L ..... AHD
SEAMS HOT
MAJOR DIAMETER
'EAJ'USSllLE

PITCH DIAMETIER

MINOR DIAMETER

SUR FACIE
IRREGULARITIES

~
PERMISSIBLE
MAJOR DI AMETER
LAPS AHD SlAMS

PITCH DIAMETER

-t--V-i~~-~ MINOR DIAMETER

FIG. 3 Thread Dlscontinullles

~
the specimen shall be discarded and another test specimen

~
s ubmitted. [
11.4 Corrosion Resistance Tests:
11.4.1 Unless otherwise specified , tests for corrosion resis-
tance shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's standard
quality control practices. A specific number of tests is not
I· "
.~~
FRACTLflE

required but the fas teners shaU be produced by manufacturing

practices and subjected to tests and inspection to assure
compliance with the speci fi ed requirements.
11.4.2 When specified on the purchase order, not less than
one corrosion test to determine freedom from precipitated
carbides shall be made to represent each lot.

12. Test Methods

12.1 Chemical Analysis-The chemical composition may
be detemlined by any recognized commercial test method. In
the event of discrepancy, Test Methods E 353 shall be used for "
referee purposes.
12.2 Mechanical Tests:
12.2.1 Screws tested for axial strength, screw extension , or
hardness shall be tested in accordance with the methods
described in Test Mcthods F 606M and 12.2.3 of this specifi-
cation.
12.2.2 Machined test specimens tested for tensile strength, FIG. 4 Test Specimen-Extension Test
yield strength at 0.2 % offset and elongation, shall be tested in
accordance with Ihe methods described in Test Methods acceptable when the extension equals or exceeds the minimum
F606M. value for extension specified in Table I.
12.2.3 Extension Test- An extension test is applicable only 12.3 Corrosion Resistance Test-Corrosion tests to deter-
10 full size producL<;. The overal l length of the test specimen, LI mine freedom from precipitated carbides shall be performed in
shall be measured within ::!: O.1 2 mm. The head-end reference accordance with Practice A or C. as applicable, of Practices
surface for length measurement may be the bottom of the hex A 262.
socket for measuring purposes. The specimen shall be as-
sembled into a threaded adapter 10 a deplh of one nominal 13. Inspection
diameter, then axial tensile tested in accordance with 12.2. I to 13. 1 If the inspection described in 13.2 is required by the
fail ure. The two broken pieces shall be filled closely together purchaser, it shall be specified in the inquiry, order, or contract.
and the overall length, ~, measured again. The lotal extension 13.2 The inspector represeming the purchaser shall have
shall be computed by subtracting the original overall length free emry to all parts of the manufacturer's works that concern
from the length follow ing fractu re (Fig. 4). The product is the manufacture of lhe material ordered. The manufacturer
286
 41 F 879M
shall afford the inspector all reasonable faci lities to satisfy that shall be marked to identify the A I-50 property class with
the material is being furnished in accordance with this speci- " AI-50." The A 1-70 property class need not be marked .
fi cation. All tests and inspection required by the specification Markings may be on the top of the head.
that are requested by the purchaser's representati ve and pur-
c h ase orde r shall be made prior to shipment. and shall be so 17, Packaging and Package Marking
conducted as nOI to Interfere unnecessari ly with the operation
of the work. 17.1 Packaging:
17.\.J Unless otherwise specified , packaging shall be in
14. Rej ection and Rehearing accordance with Practice 0 395 1.
14. 1 Screws that fai l to conform to the requi re ments of this 17. 1.2 When special packaging requirements are required
s~cat iorunay be rejected-by Ihepurchascr. Rejection shall by the purchaser. they shall be defined at the time of inquiry
be reported to the supplier promptly and in writing. In case o f and order.
d issatisfaction with the res ults orlesls or inspect ion authorized
17.2 Package Markillg-Each shipping unit shall include or
by the purchaser, the supplier may make claim for a rehearing.
be plainly marked wi th the followin g:
15. Certification 17.2. 1 ASTM specification,
[5. 1 When specified in Ihe purchase order, the manufacturer 17.2.2 Property class symbol,
shall furni sh certification that the product was manufactured 17.2.3 Alloy number,
and tested in accordance with this speci fication and the
17.2.4 Size,
p urchaser's order and confonns to all specified requirements.
15.2 All certification shall indicate the purchase order num- 17.2.5 Name and brand o r trademark of the manufactu rer,
ber and the applicable requirements of Section 4. 17.2.6 Country of origin,
17.2.7 Number of pieces, and
16. P rod uct Marking
17.2.8 Purchase order number.
16. 1 Screws. of nominal thread d iameters M 5 and larger.

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

One or more o f the foll ow ing supplementary require ments shall ap pl y only when speci fi ed by the
purchaser in the inquiry and order (see 4.1.6). Supplementary req uirements shall i.n no way negate any
requiremem o f the specification itself.

5.1. Addit iona l Tests S3. Permeability

S 1. 1 When tests for additional mechanical properties. cor- S3.1 When Supplememary Requirement S 3 is specified on
rosion resistance, etc., are desired by the purchaser, the testes) the inquiry and o rder. the penneability of screws of"Class A 1
shall be made as agreed upon between Ule manufaclUrer and shall not exceed 1.05 at 100 Oe when detennined by Test
the purchaser at the time of the inquiry or order. Method A 342 or by a go-no-go pemleability indicator o f the
S2. Alloy Control type described in MIL- I- I72 l4. Ln case of confl ict Test Method
A 342 shall be the referee method. Screws in property class
S2. 1 When Supplementary Requirement S 2 is specified on
A \-70 may not be capable of meeting penneability and
the inquiry and order, the manufacturer shall supply that
strength requirements simultaneously.
stainless steel specified on the custo mer's order with no group
substitutions pennitted without written permission by the
purc haser. .•
The AnIetGtn Sociel)' for Testjng and Materials takes no position respecting /he validity 01 any patent rights 1JSS6rf«1.h connediofI
with any item mentioned .h /his standard. US8fS 0I/his standard are eJIIKess/y advised IIlIIt determination 01 the validity 01 any such
patent rights. and /he risk 01 infringement of such rights, are entirely Ih8Ir own responsibility.

This standard Is subjeclto revision a t any time by the responsl/:1le technical committee and must be reviewed every h"ve years and
if not reviMd. either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments ere invited either for revision of this standard or for ackJitioflal standards
and shoold be addressed to A5TM Headquarters. Your oommants will receive careful consideration at a meeting of/he responsible
technical commirree. which yoo may atrend. If yoo feal that your comments have TlOl receivecJ a lair hearing yoo should make your
views known to /he ASTM CotmIittee on Standards. 100 Ba" Harbor Drive. West ConshohockfHl. PA 19428.

281