Specifications
Surface Treatments
Certifications
- ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified
- PED 2014/68/EC
- NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-2
- NORSOK M-650
- DFAR
- MERKBLATT AD 2000 W2/W7/W10
A286 Tie Rod
A286 tie rod is A286 threaded rod specifically designed for tension-loaded structural and machinery applications — tying two structural members together against a tensile load. Distinguished from general-purpose threaded rod by intended use (tie rod = primary tension-load-carrying member with engineered end fittings; threaded rod = general all-thread material). TorqBolt manufactures A286 tie rod to ASTM A453 grade 660, AMS 5731 / 5732, DIN 976, and custom drawing standards in M12-M64 metric and 1/2 inch to 2-1/2 inch sizes. End geometries include threaded for clevis-pin termination, threaded for eye-end fitting, threaded for jam-nut + plate termination, and machined-shoulder for shoulder-eye fitting. Heat-treated to deliver 130 ksi tensile / 95 ksi yield, retained mechanical properties to 700 °C continuous service. See parent A286 rods, sister variants threaded rod, hex rod, and the canonical chemical composition, heat treatment.
About A286 Tie Rod
A286 tie rod design centres on tension-load capability rather than length flexibility. Each tie rod is machined to drawing — typically from A286 round bar input — with the central shank turned to specified diameter, threads rolled or cut at each end to engage matching clevis / eye / jam-nut fittings, and surface-passivated per ASTM A967 Type II. Critical design feature: the shank cross-section determines tension capacity (tensile area × yield stress = pull capacity); the threads concentrate stress at the root, so thread-root cross-section is typically 60-70 % of shank cross-section. For aerospace fail-safe design, redundant tie-rod pairs or backup retention is specified — a single A286 tie rod failing under tension can be catastrophic. Heat-treated per AMS 5732 for 130 ksi tensile, 95 ksi yield. Surface finish typically cold-drawn or peeled; centerless-ground for precision applications.
A286 Tie Rod Configurations & End Fittings
TorqBolt produces A286 tie rod in five primary end-fitting configurations:
- Threaded both ends (jam-nut termination) — Most common — threaded both ends for jam-nut + plate or jam-nut + frame termination. Tension transferred through the jam-nut + plate into the structural frame.
- Threaded both ends (clevis-pin termination) — Threaded both ends; clevis fitting + cross-pin transfers tension through the clevis ears into the structural frame. Used in adjustable-length tie applications.
- Threaded one end + machined eye end — Threaded one end + integral eye-end machined as a single piece — eye accepts a clevis pin for direct frame attachment. Eliminates separate eye fitting.
- Threaded both ends + turnbuckle center — Tie rod with reverse-thread directions at each end + central turnbuckle body that adjusts overall length under load. Used in bracing and rigging applications.
- Custom shoulder eye + threaded shank — Tie rod with machined shoulder + integral eye at one end + threaded shank at the other — used in aerospace control-linkage and engine-mount applications.
A286 Tie Rod Sizes & Tension Capacity
| Shank diameter | Thread | Standard length | Tensile area mm² | Min. tension (kN) | Working tension (kN, 75% yield) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 mm | M12 × 1.75 | 200-2000 mm | 84.3 | 75.5 | 55.2 |
| 16 mm | M16 × 2.0 | 200-2500 mm | 157 | 140 | 103 |
| 20 mm | M20 × 2.5 | 300-3000 mm | 245 | 219 | 160 |
| 24 mm | M24 × 3.0 | 300-3000 mm | 353 | 316 | 231 |
| 30 mm | M30 × 3.5 | 300-3000 mm | 561 | 502 | 367 |
| 36 mm | M36 × 4.0 | 300-3000 mm | 817 | 731 | 535 |
| 48 mm | M48 × 5.0 | 300-3000 mm | 1473 | 1318 | 964 |
| 64 mm | M64 × 6.0 | 300-3000 mm | 2676 | 2395 | 1751 |
A286 Tie Rod Manufacturing Process
Every a286 tie rod TorqBolt ships traces back to a vacuum-induction-melted plus vacuum-arc-remelted (VIM-VAR) ingot meeting AMS 5731 / 5732 chemistry. Process route:
- VIM-VAR round bar input: AMS 5731 / 5732 round bar drawn or peeled to shank-blank diameter ≈ shank ⌀ + 0.5-1 mm machining allowance.
- Shank turning: CNC lathe turns shank to drawing diameter — typically smooth turned + rolled finish or centerless-ground for precision applications.
- End-fitting machining: Both ends machined to specified geometry: threading for jam-nut termination, machined eye for direct clevis attachment, or shoulder + thread for shoulder-eye fittings.
- Thread rolling (preferred) or cutting: Threads rolled (Class 6g / 4g6g) for fatigue performance; cutting only for sizes > M64. Roll-formed threads provide 30-40 % higher fatigue strength.
- Solution treatment: Vacuum or atmosphere furnace 1650 °F (AMS 5737) or 1800 °F (AMS 5732 alt). 1 h per inch of section, oil-quench.
- Precipitation aging: 1325 °F for 16 hours, air-cool. Hardness 29-32 HRC.
- Surface finish: Pickle + passivate per ASTM A967 Type II. Optional silver / nickel anti-galling for above-540 °C service.
- Tensile pull-test (sampling): Sample from each heat tested in tensile-pull fixture per ASTM E8 — confirms guaranteed minimum tensile strength.
- Marking + label: Tie rod end-stamped 'A286' + lot. Heat-traceability label attached. AS9102 first-article on aerospace lots.
A286 Tie Rod Inspection & Certification
Each lot ships with a signed inspection certificate. Aerospace orders default to AS9100D first-article reporting per AS9102. Industrial orders default to EN 10204 type 3.1; sour-service and offshore step up to type 3.2 with third-party witness. Inspection scope:
- Shank diameter verified by snap gauge per drawing tolerance (typically ±0.05-0.10 mm).
- Thread gauge GO/NO-GO at both ends per ISO 1502 (commercial) or MIL-S-8879 (aerospace).
- End-fitting geometry verified by CMM or fixed-gauge inspection.
- Tensile pull-test (sampling per heat) per ASTM E8 — confirms minimum tensile strength.
- Hardness traverse 4-point Vickers per heat-treat batch per ASTM E384.
- Magnetic permeability < 1.005 per ASTM A342 on every aerospace heat.
- LPI per ASTM E1417 on aerospace lots — full surface inspection.
- AS9102 first-article on aerospace lots per AS9100D AQMS.
A286 Tie Rod Installation & Service Notes
Tie rod is tension-loaded — apply preload to shank by tightening jam nuts at both ends to specified torque, then verify tension by elongation measurement (Δlength / original length × A286 modulus 199 GPa). Working tension typically 50-65 % of yield (vs 75 % for cycling joints) due to fatigue considerations. For aerospace tie rods, redundant retention or backup tie-rod pairs are typically specified for fail-safe design. Above 540 °C apply nickel anti-seize at thread + jam-nut interfaces. For long tie rods, account for thermal expansion: A286 coefficient is 17.0 µm/m·°C — a 2 m tie rod expands ~9 mm from 20 °C to 700 °C; spring-mount termination required to accommodate.
A286 Tie Rod Applications by Industry
A286 tie rod serves tension-loaded structural and machinery applications:
- Aerospace control-linkage tension members: A286 tie rods as control-rod tension members in flight-control linkages, spoiler actuators, flap-deployment mechanisms. Non-magnetic + 700 °C ceiling.
- Industrial gas turbine combustor tie-rods: Tie rods spanning combustor liner-to-casing structural attach — tension-loaded against combustion-pressure load + thermal-cycling differential expansion. A286 gas turbine applications.
- Pressure-vessel internal tie-rods: A286 tie rods in nuclear and petrochemical pressure vessels — internal structural reinforcement against pressure-loading. ASTM A453 grade 660 / ASME III. A286 nuclear applications.
- Aerospace engine mount tie-rods: Engine-mount tension members on jet-engine pylons, helicopter engine support structures, missile-launcher attach. Single-piece machined tie rods.
- Turnbuckle bracing systems: Adjustable-length A286 tie rods with central turnbuckle for high-temperature bracing — gas-turbine, kiln, and process-furnace structural support.
- Cryogenic LNG tank internal bracing: Tie rods spanning LNG tank internal frame supports — A286 retains 85 % toughness at -196 °C. Hydrogen-storage internal bracing.
Governing Standards & Material Specifications
Every A286 rod product is released against the applicable industry standard. EN 10204 type 3.1 mill certificates ship with every order. See A286 AMS / ASTM specifications hub for full spec scope.
| Authority | Specification | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM | A453 grade 660 Cl. A/B/C/D | High-temperature bolting material |
| AMS | 5731 | Bar / forging — solution-treated |
| AMS | 5732 | Bar / forging — solution-treated and aged |
| AMS | 5853 | Welding wire (matching A286) |
| UNS | S66286 | Material designation |
| DIN | 1.4980 / X5NiCrTiMoVB25-15-2 | European designation |
| EN | 10204 3.1 / 3.2 | Mill / third-party-witness certification |
A286 Tie Rod vs Alternative Materials
Engineers compare A286 against three alternatives: A286 vs Inconel 718, A286 vs 17-4 PH, and A286 vs Waspaloy. See A286 equivalent grades.
How to Specify A286 Tie Rod
A complete a286 tie rod callout should include all relevant elements. Example callout:
A286 tie rod, ASTM A453 grade 660 Class A, sol-treated and aged, shank ⌀ 16 mm × M16 × 2.0 thread both ends × 1500 mm overall length, jam-nut termination, MIL-S-8879 thread tolerance if aerospace, EN 10204 3.1, tensile-pull-tested.
A286 Tie Rod — Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between A286 tie rod and A286 threaded rod?
Tie rod: tension-loaded structural member with engineered end fittings (jam-nut, clevis, eye, turnbuckle). Threaded rod: general-purpose all-thread material supplied in standard 1-3 m lengths for customer cut-to-size. Tie rods are pre-engineered and pre-cut to drawing; threaded rods are general stock.
How is A286 tie rod tension capacity calculated?
Tension capacity = tensile area × yield stress. For A286 grade 660 Class A: yield = 655 MPa (95 ksi). M16 tie rod tensile area = 157 mm², so theoretical pull capacity = 103 kN at yield. Working preload typically 50-65 % of yield for fatigue (cycling) or 75 % for static. Always design for the smaller of shank cross-section or thread-root cross-section.
Are A286 tie rods threaded both ends?
Standard configurations: threaded both ends with jam-nut termination (most common), threaded both ends with clevis termination, threaded one end + integral eye-end at the other, or shoulder-eye + threaded shank for aerospace control linkages.
What's the maximum length of A286 tie rod?
Standard production: 3 m. Custom-drawing: up to 6 m for shaft sizes ≥ M30. Beyond 6 m, custom production with end-to-end welding (TIG) or splice-coupling required.
Are A286 tie rods magnetic?
No. Magnetic permeability < 1.005 verified per ASTM A342 on aerospace lots. Critical for non-magnetic structural assemblies in instrumentation, MRI, and aerospace electromagnetic-sensitive applications.
Can A286 tie rods be used in cryogenic applications?
Yes — A286 retains 85 % of room-temperature toughness at -196 °C. Used for LNG storage-vessel internal bracing, hydrogen-storage tank tie members. Confirm Charpy V-notch ≥ 27 J at service temperature.
What's the typical end-fitting for an A286 tie rod?
Jam-nut termination: thread + nut + plate, transfers tension through plate to frame. Clevis termination: thread + clevis fitting + cross-pin, transfers tension through clevis ears. Aerospace: machined shoulder-eye + threaded shank in single piece.
Can A286 tie rods be used in rotating service?
Generally no — tie rods are tension-loaded static members, not rotating drive shafts. For rotating applications use A286 hex rod or A286 round bar machined to a shaft. Tie rods may have rotational vibration but not continuous rotation.
Is A286 tie rod NACE MR0175 sour-service compliant?
Yes — when supplied with hardness ≤ HRC 35 per NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-3. Each heat receives Vickers traverse before release for sour-service applications.
Why TorqBolt for A286 Tie Rod
Three reasons aerospace and industrial OEMs place a286 tie rod orders with us:
- Vertically integrated supply — VIM-VAR melt sourcing from approved AMS-conforming mills, in-house drawing + thread rolling + vacuum heat-treatment.
- Aerospace AQMS — AS9100D-certified factory in Mumbai with published quality manual.
- Lead time discipline — 4-6 weeks for ASTM A453 grade 660 standard sizes, 8-12 weeks for custom-drawing aerospace parts.
30+ years of fastener-manufacturing track record. Active certifications: ISO 9001:2015, AS9100D AQMS, PED 2014/68/EU and NORSOK M-650 QTR.
Recent A286 Tie Rod Order Patterns
Active tie rod orders cover M16 / M20 jam-nut-terminated for industrial gas-turbine combustor liner-to-casing tie members, custom shoulder-eye + threaded-shank for aerospace engine-mount tension members, M24 / M30 turnbuckle-style for high-temperature kiln structural bracing, and M36 / M48 for nuclear pressure-vessel internal reinforcement.
Satisfaction Survey
