1.1 This specification establishes allowable limits for the various types of surface discontinuities that may occur during the manufacture and processing of bolts, screws, and studs, including heat-treated machine screws, tapping screws, and sems (the washers of screw-washer assemblies are excluded). This specification covers metric series products with nominal diameters of 4 mm and larger and with specified minimum tensile strengths of 800 MPa and greater; and inch series products with nominal diameters of No. 5 (0.1250 in.) and larger and with specified minimum tensile strengths of 90000 psi and greater.

1.2 The values stated in either SI (metric) or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents, therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.

1.3 When the engineering requirements of the application necessitate control of surface discontinuities on bolts, screws, or studs, the purchaser shall specify conformance to ASTM Specification F 788/F 788M, in the original inquiry and purchase order.

1.3.1 When the engineering requirements of the application necessitate that surface discontinuities on bolts, screws, and studs be controlled within limits closer than those specified in this specification, the purchaser shall specify the applicable limits in the original inquiry and purchase order.

1.4 The allowable limits established in this specification for metric bolts, screws, and studs with nominal diameters from 4 to 24 mm inclusive, are essentially identical with requirements given in ISO 6157/I. There are no ISO standards for surface discontinuities on any inch-series products.