Bolt Torque Factor - Low Temp

[mcooker]

I will soon be installing 3/8-16, 1/2-13, and 1 1/4-7 G5 hardware in temperatures around +20F. During the winter these fasteners will see ambient temperatures down to
-65F. The fasteners are structural, and will see high shear and tensile loading from wind forces.

I use a standard torque table for these fasteners at temperatures from 0F to 120F. Is there a TORQUE REDUCTION FACTOR I should use in this case, or will everything be OK when the temperature reaches -65F?

 

[Arcticdesert]

Our plant operates in these conditions. We do not see any significant loosening in winter conditions as long as the thermal expansion coefficients for the bolting material and the bolted material are similar.

You may want to move to a low temperature bolt and nut material at those temperatures if these are critical service fasteners.

Keep your stick on the ice!