Unleashing the Power of Exotic Fastener Materials When it comes to fasteners, strength, durability, and reliability are paramount. While traditional materials like stainless steel and carbon steel have served us well, there exists a fascinating world of exotic fastener materials that push the boundaries of engineering excellence. Let’s Explore a Few Exotic Materials’ Unique Properties and Applications A-286 is a precipitation-hardened stainless steel alloy offering excellent high-temperature strength, oxidation resistance, and creep resistance. These characteristics make A-286 fasteners suita ..read more

Birmingham Fastener is excited to announce the opening of our newest branch, Phoenix Fastener. This is Birmingham Fastener’s first location in the state of Arizona, expanding our footprint in the West after our recent acquisition of Pacific Coast Bolt. Most importantly, it allows us to add teammates to our world-class staff and will yield long-term benefits for our customers. Yates Hudson, a 39 year fastener industry veteran, will lead the team in Phoenix as General Manager. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. “This strategic expansion is a testament to our team’s ..read more

Birmingham Fastener is excited to announce the acquisition of Pacific Coast Bolt Corporation based in Santa Fe Springs, California. With over 80 years of combined fastener production, this acquisition strengthens Birmingham Fastener’s manufacturing diversity and expands our U.S. footprint coast-to-coast with branches from New York to California. Most importantly, it allows us to add teammates to our world-class staff and will yield long-term benefits for our customers. Pacific Coast Bolt manufactures and distributes a wide range of products to industries such as water, wastewater, chemica ..read more

Baron Yarborough has joined the Birmingham Fastener family of companies as the General Manager of Champion Manufacturing. Champion, a rubber gasket manufacturer in the greater Houston area, was recently acquired by Birmingham Fastener, one of the nation’s most prominent fastener manufacturers. Yarborough has been a rising star in the fastener industry, involved in many industry organizations, including the Fastener Training Institute. He is currently the Chairman of the Southwestern Fastener Association. In his new role, Yarborough will be leading the manufacturing and sales of rubber gaskets ..read more

Birmingham Fastener is excited to announce the acquisition of Champion Sales and Manufacturing, Inc., a leading rubber gasket company based in Magnolia, Texas. With over 100 years of combined experience in the rubber gasket industry, the acquisition strengthens Birmingham Fastener’s waterworks product offering and manufacturing diversity. Most importantly, it allows us to add teammates to our world-class staff. Champion manufactures mechanical joint, push-on, and other gaskets for the waterworks industry. With this acquisition, Birmingham Fastener and its sister companies can expand produ ..read more

Preinstallation Verification Test – Tension Contol (TC) Assemblies The Preinstallation Verification Test is required by RCSC/AISC specifications. This test must be conducted on site to ensure that all bolt assemblies, lubrication, and installation tools can achieve minimum bolt tension prior to installation. Pre-Installation Verification testing does not pass or fail fastener assemblies. This testing is designed to uncover possible issues between fasteners, tools and installers, before installation begins. In this video, we tested a one inch tension control, or TC, bolt. TC bolt assemblies fu ..read more

Birmingham Fastener is excited to announce the acquisition of K-T Bolt Manufacturing, Inc. based in Katy, Texas. With over 100 years of combined fastener production, this acquisition strengthens Birmingham Fastener’s product offering and manufacturing diversity. Most importantly, it allows us to add teammates to our world-class staff and will yield long-term benefits for our customers. In doing this, the level of service we can offer to our customers will be increased. K-T Bolt Manufacturing provides custom fabrication, closed-die forging, in-house heat treating, and electropolishing. Wit ..read more

How to Reapply Bolt Lubricant Structural bolting components, whether uncoated or galvanized, are lubricated for installation purposes. Sometimes it is necessary to reapply bolt lubricant. Though the types of structural bolt lubricant vary, both have a chance of coming off prior to installation. This is typically caused by exposure to the elements from improper jobsite storage. Reapplication of the lubricant is typically required prior to installation. Here, we’ll go over how and when to reapply lubricant on structural bolting assemblies. Reapplying Bolt Lubricant on Uncoated Assemblies Wh ..read more

Houston Fastener Manufacturing is proud to offer a variety of A193 B7 studs in a variety of sizes. ASTM A193 Grade B7 is commonly used in construction and the oil and gas industry. Reference this B7 stud weight chart for your purchases. Table 1: ASTM A193 B7 1/2″ to 1-1/4″ Length End-to-End Length End-to-End 1/2″ 5/8″ 3/4″ 7/8″ 1″ 1-1/8″ 1-1/4″ 2.00 21.94 37.9 59.32 88.02 122.34 166.6 217.7 2.25 23.05 39.66 61.91 91.6 127.01 172.63 225.26 2.50 24.16 41.43 64.5 95.18 131.68 178.65 232.83 2.75 25.26 43.19 67.09 98.75 136.34 184.68 240.39 3.00 26.37 44.95 69.68 102.33 141.01 190.7 24 ..read more

This chart detailed bolt strength requirements by grade. All specifications below are per ASTM. For more information on fasteners, visit our Fastener Learning Hub. Bolt Strength Requirement By Grade Chart Specification Material Nominal Size (Inches) Proof Load Min (ksi) Strength Min (ksi) Hardness Min Hardness Max A307 Grade A Low or Medium Carbon Steel 1/4″ to 4″ – 60 B69 B100 A307 Grade B Low or Medium Carbon Steel 1/4″ to 4″ – 60 min 100 max B69 B95 F1554 Grade 36 Low or Medium Carbon Steel 1/4″ to 4″ – 58 min 80 max – – F1554 Grade 55 Low or Medium Carbon Steel 1/4″ to 2″ 2-1/4 ..read more