ASTM A193 Grade B8N Class 2 (304N Strain Hardened)
Nitrogen-strengthened 304N bolting cold worked to 125 ksi tensile in ¾ in. and under — Class 2 strength on a grade that already starts at 80 ksi annealed.
What A193 B8N Class 2 is.
ASTM A193 B8N Class 2 is the strain-hardened version of the 304N grade. The bar is carbide solution treated and then cold reduced, which raises the tensile strength from the annealed minimum to 125 ksi in ¾ in. and smaller sizes. Because cold work cannot penetrate a large section evenly, the specification steps the required strength down by diameter and stops at 1½ in.
We supply B8N Class 2 studs, bolts and cap screws from strain-hardened certified bar, marked B8NSH, and match them with ASTM A194 8N nuts. The chemistry, corrosion resistance and companion nut are identical to B8N Class 1B; only the condition and strength differ.
Chemical composition.
| Element | Symbol | Min % | Max % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | C | — | 0.08 |
| Manganese | Mn | — | 2.00 |
| Phosphorus | P | — | 0.045 |
| Sulfur | S | — | 0.030 |
| Silicon | Si | — | 1.00 |
| Chromium | Cr | 18.0 | 20.0 |
| Nickel | Ni | 8.0 | 11.0 |
| Nitrogen | N | 0.10 | 0.16 |
Values per ASTM A193/A193M-24, Tables 1 and 2 (verified against the specification). Confirm the edition called out on your purchase order with our estimating team.
Mechanical properties.
| Nominal diameter (in.) | Tensile strength, min (ksi) | Yield strength 0.2% offset, min (ksi) | Elongation in 4D, min (%) | Reduction of area, min (%) | Hardness, max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 2 — ¾ and under | 125 | 100 | 12 | 35 | 321 HBW / 35 HRC |
| Class 2 — over ¾ to 1 | 115 | 80 | 15 | 35 | 321 HBW / 35 HRC |
| Class 2 — over 1 to 1¼ | 105 | 65 | 20 | 35 | 321 HBW / 35 HRC |
| Class 2 — over 1¼ to 1½ | 100 | 50 | 28 | 45 | 321 HBW / 35 HRC |
Values per ASTM A193/A193M-24, Tables 1 and 2 (verified against the specification). Confirm the edition called out on your purchase order with our estimating team. Class 2 is limited to 1½ in. Strain-hardened austenitic steel may not show uniform properties through the section, particularly over ¾ in. diameter.
Specifications that apply.
How A193 B8N Class 2 ships from Houston.
- Full-thread studs and stud bolts
- Hex and heavy hex bolts
- Socket head cap screws
- Hex nuts in the same alloy
- Threaded rod
- Machined components from certified bar
A193 B8N Class 2 fasteners we make.
Every item is manufactured to your drawing or standard in A193 B8N Class 2, imperial or metric, with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate.
What is ASTM A193 B8N Class 2?
B8N Class 2 is 304N stainless steel, solution treated and then strain hardened to the B8 Class 2 strength table. Nitrogen lifts the annealed strength of 304N to 80 ksi, and it also raises the work-hardening rate, so B8N reaches Class 2 properties with less cold reduction than plain 304. The specification sets the same minimums as B8 Class 2, but the extra nitrogen tends to leave more margin in the larger diameters. Nuts are A194 Grade 8N, or Grade 8 where 8N is not stocked.
Why the strength drops with size
- ¾ in. and under: 125 ksi tensile, 100 ksi yield. Cold work reaches the core of a small bar.
- Over ¾ to 1 in.: 115 ksi tensile, 80 ksi yield.
- Over 1 to 1¼ in.: 105 ksi tensile, 65 ksi yield.
- Over 1¼ to 1½ in.: 100 ksi tensile, 50 ksi yield. The largest size certified as Class 2 for this grade.
Class 2 or Class 1B?
Specify Class 2 when the joint needs bolt strength close to alloy steel and runs below about 800 °F. Specify Class 1B for hot service, for large diameters, for sour service to NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 where cold-worked austenitic bolting is restricted, and wherever the design only needs the annealed strength. Both classes share one chemistry, so the corrosion performance is the same.
Testing, certification and marking
- Tensile and hardness tested per lot on the finished product
- Grade symbol B8NSH and manufacturer's identification on every piece
- Hardness checked on the finished product; 321 HBW / 35 HRC maximum
- EN 10204 3.1 material test report with heat number and chemistry; 3.2 witness available
ASTM A193 Grade B8N Class 1B (304N Stainless)
304N stainless bolting — nitrogen lifts the solution-treated yield to 35 ksi and tensile to 80 ksi without cold work, for larger diameters and higher design stresses.
ASTM A193 / ASME SA-193ASTM A193 Grade B8MN Class 2 (316N Strain Hardened)
Nitrogen-strengthened 316N bolting cold worked to 110 ksi tensile in ¾ in. and under — chloride resistance with Class 2 strength.
ASTM A194 / ASME SA-194ASTM A194 Grade 8 (304 Stainless)
304 stainless heavy hex nut for A193 and A320 B8 studs — solution treated, 80 ksi proof load, corrosion resistant from cryogenic to 1500 °F.