Torque Tension

Torque Tension

Preview Questions
1. What does torque-tension mean? 2. What is more important for insuring a tight joint, torque or tension? 3. What happens to joint tension if you apply the same torque as in the past, but this time you add a lubricant to the bolt and/or nut? 4. If you have two identical nuts except one has serrations on the bearing surface, what happens to the tension in the joint? 5. What is the most commonly used torque calculating formula and what are the variables in the formula?

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Torque Tension

95% of all fastener failures are the result of poor selection or improper installation!

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Torque Tension

Why do fasteners fail?

1. Poor fastener selection. Fastener strength less than operating loads occurring in the application 2. Loss of tension during operation: a. Joint relaxation b. Joint creep c. Thermal expansion and contraction of joint 3. Fastener not properly loaded (stretched) during tightening.
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Torque Tension

Think of a rubber band as a fastener similar to a bolt and nut.

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Torque Tension

This rubber band looks tight as does the bolt and nut.

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Torque Tension

But when forces are exerted on the assembly it becomes obvious that the fastener is insufficiently tensioned!

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Torque Tension

When the fastener is put under greater tension it withstands the forces exerted on the assembly!

Properly tensioned bolts stay tight!

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Torque Tension

Bolts act like heavy coil springs

They must be stretched to be effective!

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Torque Tension

Bolts must be stretched and stay stretched to avoid failure!

Hooks Law: Steel bolts stretch .001 inches per inch between bearing surfaces for every 30,000 PSI of tension.
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Torque Tension

Hooks Law Example:

Fastener: 5/16 18 X 3 3/4 Grade 5 HHCS Distance between bearing surface: Yield Strength (YS): 92,000 PSI 3 inches

75% of Yield Strength: 69,000 PSI Grade 5 Stretch: = (69000/30000) X 3 Stretch length to achieve 75% YS: .0069 inches

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Torque Tension

For joints to maintain tightness, the bolts tension must exceed the greatest possible service load.

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Torque Tension

Fastener Tightening Analysis

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Torque Tension

Bolt tension-elongation curve

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Torque Tension

Torque-Tension Analysis Equipment

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Torque Tension

Loading the tension analyzer

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Torque Tension

Torque-Tension Relationship: -20 Grade 5 bolt and nut

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Torque Tension

Pre-set click wrench to 10 ft.lb. for -20 Grade 5 bolt (75% yield strength).

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Torque Tension

-20 Grade 5 torque-tension using click wrench set at 10 ft.lb.s:

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Torque Tension

Bolt tension increases when lubricity is improved and torque remains the same.

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Torque Tension

Serrated nuts and bolts provide several assembly benefits..

..but, installation torque values should be adjusted to achieve proper bolt tension.

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Torque Tension

Bolt tension decreases when bearing surface is serrated and torque remains the same.

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Torque Tension

36 foot pounds was required to achieve 2400 pounds of tension.

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Torque Tension

Serrations change the torque-tension relationship

A. Serrations act like plow, dramatically increasing friction. B. For a given amount of torque, tension drops dramatically. C. Installation torque should be raised.

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Torque Tension

What happens when a bolt is overtightened?

Nut goes on before tightening.

Nut will not go on after tightening.

It stretches beyond its elastic limit and elongates between the threads.
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Torque Tension

Calculating Tightening Torque Values Formula: T = D P K T = Torque (inch pounds) D = Bolt Diameter (decimal) P = Pounds of Clamp Force - 75% of Yield Strength (PSI) X Tensile Stress Area (TSA) K = Friction Factor (estimate)

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Torque Tension

Calculation Example: Example: -20 X 2 SAE Grade 5, HHCS, Zinc D = .250 P = .75 (92,000) X .0318 = 2194 pounds K = .22 T = .250 X 2194 X .22 = 120 inch pounds T = 120/12 = 10 foot pounds

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Torque Tension

Example: Same as previous except Dacromet L finish on bolts Seating torque for 1/4-20 Grade 5 bolts with wax finish T = .250 X 2194 X .15 T = 77/12 = 7 foot pounds Bolt tension induced if torque is not adjusted: 10 ft.lb.s = .250 X P X .15 P = 10 ft.lb. / (.250 X .15) P = 3200 pounds force (DANGER! 3800 lb. Is minimum UTS) K Factors: Zinc: Dacromet L:
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.22 .15
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Torque Tension

Bolt tension varies by +/-25% when tightened with an indicating torque wrench.

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Torque Tension

Determining Torque Tightening Values By Experimentation

Assembly variables: Joint Stiffness Surface Hardness Surface Roughness Surface Flatness Bolt and Nut Grades Bolt and Nut Finish

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Torque Tension

Determine seating torque by testing.

A. Torque 10 or more parts to yield (rotation without torque increase) or failure in the actual application. B. Average the yield or failure values. C. Use a seating torque equal to 65% - 75% of obtained in B above.

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Torque Tension

What helps keep fasteners tight and why?

Properly selected and stretched bolts seldom come loose!

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Torque Tension

Adhesives improve tensioning because the increase lubricity and resist loosening By cementing fasteners into position.

Pre-applied Products

Point-of-assembly Products
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Torque Tension

Match Bolt and Nut Grades By Strengths

Rule: The proper nut for a given bolt is the one having a proof load strength equal to or greater than the mating bolts ultimate tensile strength.

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Torque Tension

Match Bolt and Nut Grades By Strengths

SAE Grade Bolt Gd 2Rb 80/100 Nut Gd 2 Rb 68/Rc 32 Bolt Gd 5 Rc 25/34 Nut Gd 5 Rb 68/Rc 32 Bolt Gd 8 Rc 33/39 Nut Gd 8 Rc 24/38

Hardness 74 KSI UTS 90 KSI PS 120KSI UTS 120 KSI PS 150KSI UTS 150KSI PS

Strength 3/4 10 24,700 lbs 30,100 40,100 40,100 50,100 50,100

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Torque Tension

When things fail, harder is not always better!

Harder bolts are more brittle than softer bolts. Softer bolts are more ductile. Move to Grade 9 and Property Class 12.9 very cautiously. Grade 8 and Property Class 10.9 properly used are generally superior. Beware of hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking.

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Torque Tension

Use drivers with torque control or a combination of driver and torque wrench in critical joints.

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Torque Tension

Control impact wrench torque

Torque sticks based on torsion bar principle. 30 ft.lb. to 475 ft.lb.

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Torque Tension

How much torque was applied?

Part is seated to an unknown torque

Mark head

Mark surface

Mark socket

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Torque Tension

How much torque was applied?

Break part loose

Re-tighten bolt to original position And observe torque

This is approximately the amount of torque originally applied to the fastener!

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Torque Tension

Tension Distribution in Bolts and Nuts

Bolt

Nut

Long lengths of thread engagement do not increase joint strength!

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Torque Tension

When short bolts vibrate loose, increase length to allow more total stretch.

Stretch for Grade 5 bolt tensioned to 69 KSI (75% YS):

Grip length .500 1.500

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Stretch .0014 .0042

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Conclusion

When tightening is critical, select torque by experimentation. When anything changes re-evaluate seating torque values. Properly tightened fasteners seldom come loose.
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Torque Tension

Calculating minimum thread depth for assembly components

See section A of the IFI 7th Edition Inch and 3rd Edition Metric Books
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Torque Tension

Calculating minimum thread depth for assembly components

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Torque Tension

Pop Quiz
What does torque-tension mean? What is more important for insuring a tight joint, torque or tension? What happens to joint tension if you apply the same torque as in the past, but this time you add a lubricant to the bolt and/or nut? If you have two identical nuts except one has serrations on the bearing surface, what happens to the tension in the joint? What is the most commonly used torque calculating formula and what are the variables in the formula? What is the rule for selecting nuts for bolts relative to their strengths? How do you determine what torque was applied to a already installed bolt ?

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