ASTM F880-12(2017)

Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Socket, Square Head, and Slotted Headless-Set Screws

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the requirements for austenitic grade stainless steel socket set screws (SSS), sizes M1.6 through M24, having property classes A1-50 and A1-70. The analysis of the screw material shall conform to the chemical composition specified. Socket set screw shall be subjected to torque test, Vickers hardness test, and corrosion resistance test to meet the requirements prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for austenitic grade stainless steel socket-set screws (SSS) sizes 0.060 through 1.000 in. square head set screws (SHSS) sizes 0.190 through 1.500 in., and slotted headless set screws (HSS) 0.060 through 0.750 in., in two conditions, AF and CW.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
Note 1: A complete metric companion to Specification F880 has been developed—F880M; therefore, no metric equivalents are shown in this specification.  
1.3 The following hazards caveat pertains only to Test Method Section, Section 12 of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2017
• ICS: 21.060.10 - Bolts, screws, studs
• Technical Committee: F16 - Fasteners
• Drafting Committee: F16.04 - Nonferrous Fasteners

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F1470-24 - Standard Practice for Fastener Sampling for Specified Mechanical Properties and Performance Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM D3951-18(2023) - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2023
• Refers: ASTM E18-18 - Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM D3951-18 - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-May-2018
• Refers: ASTM F1470-18 - Standard Practice for Fastener Sampling for Specified Mechanical Properties and Performance Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2018
• Refers: ASTM E18-17 - Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2017
• Refers: ASTM A555/A555M-16 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2016
• Refers: ASTM D3951-15 - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM A751-14 - Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Refers: ASTM A555/A555M-05(2014) - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Refers: ASTM F593-13a - Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bolts, Hex Cap Screws, and Studs
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2013
• Refers: ASTM F593-13ae1 - Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bolts, Hex Cap Screws, and Studs
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2013
• Refers: ASTM A262-13 - Standard Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranular Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM F593-13 - Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bolts, Hex Cap Screws, and Studs
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Refers: ASTM E18-12 - Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2012

Overview

ASTM F880-12(2017) is the internationally recognized standard specification for stainless steel socket set screws, square head set screws, and slotted headless set screws. Developed by ASTM International, this standard outlines the requirements for austenitic grade stainless steel fasteners in sizes ranging from 0.060 to 1.000 inches for socket-set screws, 0.190 to 1.500 inches for square head set screws, and 0.060 to 0.750 inches for slotted headless set screws. The document covers two conditions for these fasteners: Solution Annealed (AF) and Cold Worked (CW).

Compliance with this standard ensures fastener products possess the required mechanical properties, chemical composition, corrosion resistance, and are manufactured with consistent quality practices. This specification is crucial for industries that demand high reliability from fastening solutions, particularly where corrosion resistance and mechanical strength are critical.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability

  • Covers requirements for austenitic stainless steel fasteners (socket, square head, and slotted headless set screws)
  • Specifies product sizes, thread designations, and two material conditions (AF and CW)
  • Inch-pound units are standard; for metric, see ASTM F880M

• Material and Manufacture

  • Requires conformity to specific chemical composition for various stainless steel alloys
  • Details material processing methods such as forging, forming, extruding, machining, annealing, and cold working
  • Mandates solution annealing for maximum corrosion resistance

• Mechanical and Corrosion Properties

  • Outlines torque and Vickers hardness test requirements
  • Specifies corrosion resistance, including susceptibility to intergranular attack as per ASTM A262
  • Provides for supplementary requirements for additional corrosion or permeability testing if specified

• Dimensional and Surface Quality

  • Requires conformity to ASME B18.3 or B18.6.2 for dimensions and tolerances
  • Mandates cleaning, descaling, and passivation according to ASTM A380 or A967
  • Specifies limits on surface discontinuities and defects

• Testing, Inspection, and Certification

  • Details random sampling and testing protocols for mass production
  • Requires retention of certification and testing records for five years
  • Covers packaging, marking, and shipment labeling requirements

Applications

ASTM F880-12(2017) applies broadly across industries where the use of high-quality stainless steel fastening hardware is required. Typical application areas include:

• Aerospace and Defense: Where safety, traceability, and corrosion resistance are essential.
• Automotive Manufacturing: For critical assembly components requiring high torque and durability.
• Marine and Offshore: Suitable for environments exposed to moisture and corrosive elements.
• Industrial Equipment: Used in machinery, electronics, and instrumentation requiring reliable, non-corrosive fastening.
• Construction and Infrastructure: For structures or assemblies demanding high-strength, corrosion-resistant fasteners.

This standard is particularly valuable for procurement and quality assurance professionals specifying or evaluating fasteners for compliance, longevity, and reliability. When referenced in purchasing documents, ASTM F880 standardizes expectations and ensures uniformity across suppliers.

Related Standards

For comprehensive compliance and best practices, the following related standards may also be relevant:

• ASTM F880M: Metric companion to this standard
• ASTM A262: Detecting susceptibility to intergranular attack in austenitic stainless steel
• ASTM A967: Chemical passivation treatments for stainless steel parts
• ASTM A380: Cleaning, descaling, and passivation of stainless steel parts
• ASME B18.3 and B18.6.2: Dimensional standards for set screws
• ASTM F593: Specifications for stainless steel bolts, hex cap screws, and studs
• ASTM F788/F788M: Surface discontinuities for bolts and screws

Reference to these standards alongside ASTM F880-12(2017) ensures a robust and holistic approach to fastener specification, manufacturing, and quality assurance in stainless steel applications.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F880 − 12 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Specification for
Stainless Steel Socket, Square Head, and Slotted Headless-
Set Screws
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F880; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* A342/A342M Test Methods for Permeability of Weakly
Magnetic Materials
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for austenitic
A380 Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Passivation of
grade stainless steel socket-set screws (SSS) sizes 0.060
Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment, and Systems
through 1.000 in. square head set screws (SHSS) sizes 0.190
A555/A555M Specification for General Requirements for
through 1.500 in., and slotted headless set screws (HSS) 0.060
Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
through 0.750 in., in two conditions, AF and CW.
A751 Test Methods and Practices for Chemical Analysis of
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
Steel Products
regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are
A967 Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments for
included in this standard.
Stainless Steel Parts
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
NOTE 1—A complete metric companion to Specification F880 has been
developed—F880M; therefore, no metric equivalents are shown in this E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
specification.
terials
1.3 The following hazards caveat pertains only to Test F593 Specification for Stainless Steel Bolts, Hex Cap
Method Section, Section 12 of this specification. This standard
Screws, and Studs
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, F788/F788M Specification for Surface Discontinuities of
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
Bolts, Screws, Studs, and Rivets, Inch and Metric Series
standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environ- F1470 Practice for Fastener Sampling for Specified Me-
mental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
chanical Properties and Performance Inspection
limitations prior to use.
2.2 ASME Standard:
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
B 18.3 Socket Cap, Shoulder and Set Screws, Inch Series
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
B 18.6.2 Slotted Head Cap Screws, Square Head Set Screws,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and Slotted Headless Set Screws (Inch Series)
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3. Classification
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1 The designation of the alloy group and condition for the
two materials and conditions of this specification shall be
2. Referenced Documents
consistent with the stainless steel designations in Specification
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F593.
A262 Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranular
3.2 The austenitic stainless steel socket set screw shall be
Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels
designated F880 Group 1 Condition AF (solution annealed) or
F880 Group 1 Condition CW (cold worked).
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F16 on
4. Ordering Information
Fasteners and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F16.04 on Nonferrous
4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
Fasteners.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2017. Published December 2017. Originally
the following information:
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as F880 -12. DOI:
4.1.1 Quantity (number of screws);
10.1520/F0880-12R17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F880 − 12 (2017)
4.1.2 Dimensions, including nominal thread designation, 6.2 Unless otherwise specified in the inquiry and purchase
thread pitch, nominal screw length (inches) and point configu- order (see Supplementary Requirement S2), the choice of alloy
ration. A standard part number may be used for this definition; used shall be that of the fastener manufacturer as determined
4.1.3 Name of the screw (SSS, SHSS or HSS); by his fabrication methods and material availability. The
4.1.4 Condition AF/CW; specific alloy used by the manufacturer shall be clearly
4.1.5 Surface finish, if required. If a finish other than identified on all certification required in the purchase order and
passivation is required, it must be specified on the order or shall have a chemical composition conforming to the limits
product standard; specified in Table 2.
4.1.6 ASTM specification and year of issue; and
6.3 When chemical analysis is performed by the purchaser
4.1.7 Any special or supplemental requirements.
using finished fasteners representing each lot, the chemical
4.1.8 If torque testing is required for socket set screws sizes
contents obtained shall conform to the limits specified in Table
over ⁄2 inch.
2 for the specific alloy. Chemical composition shall conform to
4.2 Example—50 000 pieces 0.250-20 × 0.375 cone point the tolerances specified in Specification A555/A555M.
SSS CW ASTM F880 – XX. 6.3.1 In the event of a discrepancy, a referee analysis of the
samples for each lot as specified in 12.1 shall be made in
accordance with 11.3.1.
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 The screw may be forged, formed, extruded, machined,
7. Mechanical Properties
or ground to meet the dimensional characteristics and perfor-
7.1 Socket-set screws, when subjected to a torque test in
mance requirements.
accordance with 12.3.1, shall withstand application of the test
5.2 Heat Treatment—Austenitic alloys Group 1 Condition
tightening torque specified in Table 1 without evidence of the
AF screw shall be annealed by heating to 1900 6 50°F to
socket reaming or the screw bursting. Socket set screws in
obtain maximum corrosion resistance and minimum perme-
sizes in nominal diameters over ⁄2 in. are not subject to torques
ability. The screws shall be held for a sufficient time at
testing unless required by purchaser. The test torque values
temperature, then cooled at a rate sufficient to prevent precipi-
must be supplied by purchaser and agreed to by the supplier.
tation of the carbide and provide the properties in accordance
7.2 The hardness limits from 70 to 95 HRB (125 to 210
with Table 1.
DPH) for Condition AF and 96 HRB to 33 HRC (216 to 327
5.3 When condition CW is specified, the austenitic alloys
DPH) for Condition CW shall be met as determined using Test
shall be annealed as specified in 5.2, generally by the raw
Methods E18.
material manufacturer, and then cold worked to develop
specific properties.
8. Corrosion Resistance Requirements
8.1 Carbide Precipitation:
6. Chemical Composition
8.1.1 Rod, bar, and wire in the austenitic alloy groups 1, 2,
6.1 The analysis of the screw material shall conform to the and 3, except the free-machining grades, 303 and 303Se, used
to make fasteners in accordance with this specification shall be
chemical composition specified in Table 2.
A
TABLE 1 Socket Set Screw Torsional Strength Requirements
Nominal Screw Size Shortest Nominal Screw Lengths Subject to Torque Testing Test Torque, in.-lb, min
Cup and Flat Points, Cone and Oval Points Half Dog Points, in. AF CW
in.
0 0.060 0.109 0.125 0.109 0.3 0.6
1 0.073 0.125 0.141 0.125 0.7 1.2
2 0.086 0.125 0.141 0.141 0.7 1.2
3 0.099 0.141 0.156 0.156 1.6 3.3
4 0.112 0.141 0.172 0.156 1.6 3.3
5 0.125 0.172 0.188 0.172 3 5
6 0.138 0.188 0.203 0.188 3 5
8 0.164 0.188 0.219 0.203 9 16
10 0.190 0.188 0.250 0.234 16 26
⁄4 0.250 0.250 0.312 0.297 40 67
⁄16 0.312 0.312 0.391 0.359 79 135
⁄8 0.375 0.375 0.438 0.438 138 237
⁄16 0.437 0.438 0.547 0.484 220 378
⁄2 0.500 0.500 0.609 0.547 358 600
⁄8 0.625 0.625 0.875 0.875 . .
⁄4 0.750 0.750 1.000 1.000 . .
⁄8 0.875 0.875 1.000 1.000 . .
1 1.000 1.100 1.250 1.250 . .
A
For socket set screw sizes over ⁄2 inch, torsional strength testing is not required unless specified by purchaser. The test torque values must be supplied by purchaser
and agreed upon by the supplier.
F880 − 12 (2017)
TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements
Composition, % maximum except as shown
UNS
Alloy
Molybdenum
Designation
Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulfur Silicon Chromium Nickel Copper
Austenitic Alloys
A
S30300 303 0.15 2.00 0.20 0.15 min 1.00 17.0 to 19.0 8.0 to 10.0 0.60 max
S30323 303Se 0.15 2.00 0.20 0.060 1.00 17.0 to 19.0 8.0 to 10.0 Se 0.15 min
S30400 304 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 18.0 to 20.0 8.0 to 10.5 1.00 . . .
S30403 304L 0.030 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 18.0 to 20.0 8.0 to 12.0 1.00 . . .
S30500 305 0.12 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 17.0 to 19.0 10.5 to 13.0 1.00 . . .
S38400 384 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 15.0 to 17.0 17.0 to 19.0 . . .
A
S20300 XM1 0.08 5.0 to 6.5 0.040 0.18 to 0.35 1.00 16.0 to 18.0 5.0 to 6.5 1.75 to 2.25 0.50 max
S30430 18–9LW 0.10 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 17.0 to 19.0 8.0 to 10.0 3.0 to 4.0 . . .
S30433 302HQ 0.03 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 17.0 to 19.0 8.0 to 10.0 3.0 to 4.0 . . .
S31600 316 0.03 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 16.0 to 18.0 10.0 to 14.01 . 2.0 to 3.0
S31603 316L 0.03 2.00 0.045 0.03 1.00 16.0 to 18.0 10.0 to 14.01 . 2.0 to 3.0
A
At the manufacturer’s option, determined only when intentionally added.
capable of passing the test for susceptibility to intergranular 11.3 When tests of individual shipments are required,
corrosion as specified in Practice E of Practices A262. Supplementary Requirement S1 must be specified in the
8.1.2 As stated in Practices A262, samples may be subjected inquiry and order.
to the faster and more severe screening test in accordance with
11.3.1 When the purchaser does not specify the sampling
Practice A. Failing Practice A, specimens shall be tested to plan and basis of acceptance, the following shall apply.
Practice E and be considered satisfactory if passing Practice E.
11.3.1.1 The lot, for purposes of selecting samples, shall
consist of all products offered for inspection and testing at one
9. Dimensions
time, that are of the same style, nominal diameter, thread pitch,
nominal length, material type, and condition, and surface
9.1 Unless otherwise specified, the product shall conform to
finish.
the requirements of ASME B 18.3 or B 18.6.2 as applicable.
11.3.1.2 From each lot, samples shall be selected at random
and tested for each requirement in accordance with the
10. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
following:
10.1 Surface Treatment—Unless otherwise specified, screws
Number of
shall
...