#4-48 UNF Torque Spec
Calculated preload torque by grade, plus what actually changes the number.
#4-48 UNF · Grade 5 · dry threads
0.786 lb-ft
1.07 N·m · targets 421
lb clamp load (75% of proof)
By grade
| Grade | Dry (lb-ft) | Lubed (lb-ft) | Dry (N·m) | Clamp load | Ultimate tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 2 Low/medium carbon steel, unmarked head | 0.509 | 0.381 | 0.69 | 272 lb | 488 lb |
| Grade 5 Medium carbon Q&T, 3 radial head marks | 0.786 | 0.59 | 1.07 | 421 lb | 792 lb |
| Grade 8 Medium carbon alloy Q&T, 6 radial head marks | 1.11 | 0.832 | 1.5 | 594 lb | 990 lb |
| 18-8 SS 304/18-8 stainless | 0.37 | 0.277 | 0.501 | 198 lb | 495 lb |
Why lubrication changes everything
Roughly 90% of the torque you apply is consumed by friction — under the head and in the threads. Only about 10% becomes useful bolt stretch. That means the friction coefficient, not the bolt, sets the relationship between torque and clamp load. Here is the same #4-48 UNF Grade 5 fastener under different conditions:
| Thread condition | Nut factor K | Torque for same preload |
|---|---|---|
| Plain / as-received, dry | 0.20 | 0.786 lb-ft |
| Zinc plated, dry | 0.22 | 0.865 lb-ft |
| Black oxide, lightly oiled | 0.18 | 0.707 lb-ft |
| Machine oil on threads | 0.15 | 0.59 lb-ft |
| Molybdenum disulfide / anti-seize | 0.12 | 0.472 lb-ft |
| Waxed or PTFE coated | 0.10 | 0.393 lb-ft |
Torquing a lubricated bolt to the dry spec overloads it — the
0.393
lb-ft row and the
0.786
lb-ft row produce the same clamp load. Apply the dry
number to a waxed fastener and you are at roughly twice the intended preload, which
for a Grade 5 is past yield.
Assumptions behind these numbers
T = K × D × F with K = 0.20, F = 0.75 × proof load, and proof load = tensile stress area (0.0066 in²) × the grade's proof strength. This is a general-engineering starting point for a reusable steel-on-steel joint. It is not a substitute for a manufacturer's torque sequence on an engine, a suspension component, a pressure vessel or any structural connection.