Proceedings of the ASME 2017 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference
PVP2017
A HISTORY OF THE TARGET TORQUE VALUES FROM ASME PCC-1 AND FUTURE
DIRECTION
Clay D. Rodery
BP p.l.c
Webster, Texas USA
roderyc@asme.org
ABSTRACT
Since its original issue in 2000, ASME PCC-1 has
provided guidance to the user for establishing target torque
values for bolted flanged joint assembly. The original tables
were developed based on a reference bolt stress of 50 ksi (345
MPa) with guidance provided for making adjustments using
other bolt stress values. Despite its attempts to provide clarity,
the industry perception has been that the 50 ksi (345 MPa)
reference bolt stress is a mandatory requirement, which has
never been the intent. This paper reviews the basis of the
original Table 1M/Table 1 values provided in PCC-1, and
provides a forecast of future improvements utilizing a new
concept called a Target Torque Index based on a unit bolt stress,
allowing the user to utilize the guidance in Appendix O of
PCC-1 to define the appropriate bolt stress for their particular
situation.
INTRODUCTION
The amount of bolt stress to be employed in the
establishment of Target Torque values has been a source of
disagreement for many years, even since the original
publication of ASME PCC-1 in 2000. One of the most common
general perceptions of industry has been that the Target Torque
values are based on achieving a mandatory bolt stress of 50 ksi,
or 345 MPa.
The historic use of a common single bolt stress across all
flange sizes and ratings (for example, 50 ksi or 345 MPa) can
result on a gasket stress that does not provide sufficient margin
to overcome the effects of creep/relaxation, pressure/external
loads, and thermal loading. In addition, use of this bolt stress
can result in loading bolts past their yield strength, as in the
case of austenitic stainless steels. For this reason, the
approaches outlined in Appendix O are preferred.
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July 16-20, 2017, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA
PVP2017-65993
NOMENCLATURE
Ab = bolt root area, mm2 (in.2)
As = tensile stress areas of the thread, mm2 (in.2) (see
Appendix H)
D = nominal diameter of the bolt, mm (in.)
De = effective bearing diameter of the nut face, mm
(in.)
= (do + di)/2
F = Target bolt tensile load, N (lb)
K = nut factor, (dimensionless)
L = lead (equal to the pitch of the threads)
P% = percentage utilization factor for material yield
strength (default value typically 50%; i.e., P% =
0.5)
Sbsel = selected assembly bolt stress, MPa (psi)
T = Target Torque, Nmm (in.-lb)
TI = Target Torque Index based on a unit bolt stress,
Nm/MPa (ft-lbs/ksi)
Tb = assembly bolt torque, Nm (ft-lbs)
d = nominal bolt diameter, mm (in.)
di = inner bearing diameter of the nut face, mm (in.)
dn = mean diameter of the nut (or bolt head) bearing
face, mm (in.) [this diameter is equal to the simple
average of the diameter of the nut washer face and
the nominal bolt size)
do = outer bearing diameter of the nut face, mm (in.)
d2 = pitch diameter (or mean thread contact diameter),
mm (in.) (see Fig. 1)
= d – 0.6495p (for metric threads)
= d – 0.6495/n (for inch series threads)
fn = coefficient of friction between the bolt nut (or bolt
head) and the flange (or washer), (dimensionless)
 f2 = coefficient of friction between bolt/nut threads, ksi) value was generally considered suitable for joint systems
(dimensionless) designed using SA-193-B7 low-alloy steel bolts, except for
n = number of threads per inch, in.-1 (applies to inch joint systems using ring-joint gaskets. If a different Target
threads) Prestress level was desired, it could be done by adjusting the
p = pitch of the thread, mm (For inch threads, this is value from Table 1M or Table 1 by the ratio:
normally quoted as threads per inch, n; i.e., p =
1/n.) "Selected" Target Prestress MPa
(1)
 = thread flank angle, deg (see Fig. 1) 345 MPa
 = half included angle for the threads, deg (i.e., 30
deg for Metric and Unified threads) or
b = bolt diameter, mm (in.)
 = lead angle, deg (see Fig. 1) "Selected" Target Prestress ksi
(2)
= tan-1(L/d2) 50 ksi
n = coefficient of friction for the nut face or bolt head
t = coefficient of friction for the threads The use of the term “Selected” within equations (1) and (2)
y = minimum yield strength of the bolt material, were not part of those contained within PCC-1; but has been
N/mm2 (lb/in.2) intentionally added within this context to clarify the user’s
ability to select a Target Prestress that they deem appropriate
for their needs.
According to Note (1) of Table 1M and Table 1, the
Flank angle
computed values were based on working surfaces that
conformed to PCC-1 paragraphs 4 (Examination of “Working”
Surfaces) and 7 (Lubrication of “Working” Surfaces), along
L
with coefficients of friction of 0.16 for noncoated surfaces and
0.12 for new coated surfaces. The note goes further to state that
the coefficients were selected to make the computed Target
Torques consistent with that needed for the Target Prestress
values cited above, as independently verified via accurate bolt
elongation measurements as provided by several users.
To find the basis for determining the original target torque
Lead angle values in Table 1 of PCC-1, one had to refer to Appendix J,
which provided the following per equation (3):
d2 (Pitch diameter,
external threads) cos tan λ
(3)
2 cos tan

L/2 In the 2010 Edition of PCC-1, equation (3) in Appendix J

was nearly identical to that in the 2000 Edition, with the sole
exception being that the coefficient of friction between the nut
and the flange or washer Fn was converted to a lower case fn.
The target torque equation was changed in Appendix J of
L = axial movement of a threaded part the 2013 Edition to more closely follow the format that appears
when rotated one turn in its in European standards. First, the general expression for
mating thread. relationship of applied torque and tension in the bolt (preload)
is as shown in equation (4):
Fig. 1 Thread Profile

(4)
2 cos
In the original 2000 Edition of PCC-1, the discussion
regarding target prestress was provided in paragraph 12. It For Metric and US Customary Unified thread forms with a
directed the user to individually select the target prestress for standard included angle of 60 degrees, equation (4) can be
each joint, considering each joint that will be affected by the simplified as shown in equation (5):
prestress. For purposes of convenience and illustration, the
target torque associated with a target prestress of 345 MPa (50
ksi) was given in Table 1M (Metric Units) and Table 1 (Inch 0.15915 0.57735 (5)
2
Series Units). The document indicated that this 345 MPa (50

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Equation (5) can be simplified further to what is shown in
equation (6):
0.16 0.58
2 determination of target torque is found in Appendix
The three terms in equation (6) have specific connotations:
 0.16p is the torque to stretch the bolt
 0.58td2 is the torque to overcome thread friction
 (Den)/2 is the torque to overcome face friction
One of the potential issues with the use of the friction
formula equations (3) through (6) is that there are a number of
variables such as friction factors for the threads and the
nut/flange interface, lead and flank angles, diameters of nut
bearing surfaces, and finally the thread pitch to be determined
and accounted for correctly to get an accurate result.
Starting with the 2010 Edition of PCC-1, Appendix K was
introduced that provided the “Nut Factor” method of
calculating target torque, as shown in equations (7M) and (7):
(SI Units)
⁄1000
(US Customary Units)
⁄12
Since the typical geometries of thread configurations
encountered in industry are aligned with that found in ASME
B1.1 (inch series) and ASME B1.13M (metric or M series) with
commonly used thread pitch values, it allows for use of the
simplified Nut Factor equations and, as will be shown later,
offers results consistent with the more complex Friction Factor
equations.
Since the original publication of ASME PCC-1, there has
existed a misconception in industry regarding the amount of
bolt stress should be employed in the establishment of Target
Torque values. The most common perception of industry has
been that the Target Torque values are based on achieving a
mandatory bolt stress of 50 ksi, or 345 MPa. The basis for this
perception has been from two primary sources:
 Table 1M and Table 1 have been established based on
a target prestress value of 345 MPa (50 ksi), despite
the fact that paragraph 12 offers a means of adjusting
the values for different target prestress values.
 While Appendix O, introduced in 2010, clearly
provides a systematic alternative method for the user
to determine the most optimal target prestress for any
application, some users interpret the location of
Tables 1M and 1 in the main body of PCC-1 as
evidence that the values therein based on 345 MPa (50
ksi) are regarded as the default values.
In light of this confusion within industry, the ASME Post
Construction Subcommittee on Flanged Joint Assembly
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considered several ways to address the issue. The solution that
is being pursued has two elements:
 The target torque determination coverage in the body
of PCC-1 will be removed and in its place will appear
a single sentence that reads “Guidance on
(6)
O.”
 Table 1M and Table 1 that were based on the 345 MPa
(50 ksi) target preload are being deleted. In their place
will be new tables inserted in Appendix O that will be
based on a new value called a “Target Torque Index”
(TI).
The concept of the Target Torque Index is that it provides a
reference value that is based on a “unit” prestress value. In
other words, torquing to the Target Torque Index for a given
bolt size will result in a bolt stress equal to 1 MPa (1 ksi).
(SI Units)
TI = Sbsel K Ab b / 1000 (8M)
(US Customary Units)
TI = Sbsel K Ab b / 12 (8)
(7M) It is the responsibility of the user to determine the bolt
prestress Sbsel desired, using the methods in Appendix O.
It should be noted that Target Torque Indices have been
(7) provided for both inch- and metric-series bolts, using common
nut factor values of 0.15, 0.18 and 0.20. If a nut factor other
than those provided is used, the resulting Target Torque may be
corrected as shown in equation (9), where K’ is the original
value from the table and K is the new user defined value:
(9)
The Target Torque Index, TI, is determined from equations
(8M) or (8), for the Nut Factor indicated, and applying a unit
bolt load of 1 MPa (ksi) for Sbsel. For example, for a 3/4 inch
bolt using a Nut Factor of 0.2:
TI = Sbsel K Ab b / 12
= 1000 psi x 0.2 x 0.302 in2 x 0.75 in/12
= 3.78 ft-lb/ksi
The Target Torque Index, TI, is multiplied by the selected
assembly bolt load Sbsel to arrive at the final torque value Tb.
For example, the 3/4 inch bolt in the example above is in the
NPS 3 Class 300 flange described in the example calculation in
paragaph O-4.3, for which the selected assembly bolt stress,
Sbsel, is 63 ksi. The Target Torque then becomes:
Tb = Sbsel x TI = 63 ksi x 3.78 ft-lb/ksi = 238 ft-lb
3 Copyright © 2017 ASME
 This calculated value is rounded up to the nearest 5 ft‐lb to
become 240 ft‐lb, which is consistent with what is shown in the
example calculation in paragraph O-4.3 of PCC-1.

CONCLUSION
The introduction of the Target Torque Index in Appendix O
of PCC-1 is intended to address misconceptions in industry
regarding the use of a common single bolt stress across all
flange sizes and ratings and fully utilize the guidance for the
determination of an appropriate assembly bolt stress with due
consideration for joint integrity. It has been shown that use of
the nut factor and friction factor approaches provide results
consistent with the level of accuracy needed for bolted joint
assembly.

REFERENCES
[1] ASME PCC-12000 (also 2010 and 2013 Editions),
“Guidelines for Pressure Boundary Bolted Flange Joint
Assembly”, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New
York.
[2] ASME B1.12003 (Reaffirmed 2008), “Unified Inch
Screw Threads (UN and UNR Thread Form)”, American
Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York.
[3] ASME B1.13M2005 (Reaffirmed 2015), “Metric
Screw Threads: M Profile”, American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, New York.
[4] ASME B18.2.22015 (Reaffirmed 2015), “Nuts for
General Applications: Machine Screw Nuts, Hex, Square, Hex
Flange, and Coupling Nuts (Inch Series)”, American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, New York.

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 Appendix A
Proposed Revision to ASME PCC-1
Item 16-367
TableOͲxxMReferenceValues(TargetTorqueIndex)forCalculatingTargetTorqueValuesforLowͲAlloySteelBolting
BasedonUnitPrestressof1MPa(RootArea)(MetricSeriesThreads)
[Note:Additionsinboltunderlinedfont;deletionsinstrikethrough]
Targettorqueindex,TI,Nm/MPa  Targettorqueindex,TI,ftͲlb/ksi
BasicThread atNutFactor,K,of  atNutFactor,K,of
Designation 0.15 0.18 0.2  0.15 0.18 0.2
M12x1.75 0.13 0.16 0.17  0.66 0.80 0.88
M14x2 0.21 0.25 0.28  1.07 1.28 1.42
M16x2 0.33 0.40 0.44  1.69 2.03 2.25
M20x2.5 0.65 0.78 0.87  3.31 3.97 4.42
M22x2.5 0.90 1.08 1.20  4.57 5.49 6.10
M24x3 1.13 1.35 1.50  5.73 6.87 7.63
M27x3 1.68 2.01 2.23  8.52 10.2 11.4
M30x3.5 2.26 2.72 3.02  11.5 13.8 15.3
M33x3.5 3.11 3.74 4.15  15.8 19.0 21.1
M36x4 3.99 4.78 5.31  20.3 24.3 27.0
M39x4 5.20 6.24 6.94  26.5 31.8 35.3
M42x4.5 6.41 7.70 8.55  32.6 39.1 43.5
M45x4.5 8.07 9.68 10.8  41.0 49.2 54.7
M48x5 9.67 11.6 12.9  49.2 59.0 65.6
M52x5 12.6 15.1 16.8  64.1 76.9 85.4
M56x5.5 15.6 18.8 20.9  79.6 95.5 106
M64x6 23.7 28.4 31.6  120 145 161
M72x6 34.8 41.8 46.4  177 212 236
M80x6 48.9 58.7 65.2  249 299 332
M90x6 71.4 85.7 95.2  363 436 484
M100x6 99.8 120 133  507 609 677

GENERALNOTES:
(a) ThevaluesshownarebasedonaTargetPrestressof345MPa(rootarea).Seesection12(TargetTorqueDetermination).
TherootareasarebasedoncoarseͲthreadseriesforsizesM68M27andsmaller,and63Ͳmmpitchthreadseriesforsizes
M70M30andlarger.Thedeterminationofrootareaformetricthreadsarebasedona6gtolerance.
(b) TherearemanywaysofcalculatingTargetTorquevaluesforboltedpressurejoints.ThebasisfortheTargetTtorqueIndex
valuesinthisTable1MaredescribedintheNotesbelow.Whenconditionsvary,suchasdifferentboltmaterialsordifferent
coatings,fromthoseconsideredinthistable,refertoAppendixK,oroptionallytoAppendixJ,oftheseguidelinesto
computeappropriatetorquevalues.
NOTES:
(1) ThetabulatedTargetTorquevaluesarebasedon“working”surfacesthatcomplywithsection4(CleaningandExamination
ofFlangeandFastenerContactSurfaces)andsection7(Lubricationof“Working”Surfaces).TheTargetTorquevalueswere
computedusingnutfactorsselectedtoachieveaTargetPrestressof345MPa.Thetorqueswereadjustedbasedonindustry
experienceandverifiedbyboltelongationmeasurements.
(2) TheTargetTorqueIndex,TI,isdeterminedfromequation(OͲ2),fortheNutFactorindicated,andapplyingaunitbolt
loadof1MPaforSbsel.Forexample,foraM20boltusingaNutFactorof0.2:
TI=SbselKAbIb/1000=1x0.2x217x20/1000=0.87
(3) WhentheTargetTorqueIndex,TI,isdetermined,thisvalueismultipliedbytheselectedassemblyboltloadSbseltoarrive
atthefinaltorquevalueTb.Forexample:TheM20boltintheexampleinNote2aboveisintheNPS3Class300flange
describedintheexamplecalculationinparagaphOͲ4.3,forwhichtheselectedassemblyboltstress,Sbsel,is434MPa
(63ksi).TheTargetTorquebecomes:
Tb=SbselxTI=434MPax0.87Nm/MPa=378Nm
Thiscalculatedvalueisroundeduptothenearest5Nmtobecome380ftͲlb.
(2) Thecoatingoncoatedboltsispolyimide/amideandisconsideredtobethesolesourceof“working”surfacelubrication;the
applicationofalubricanttothecoatedsurfacescanresultinaconsiderablereductionintheassumedcoefficientoffriction
ofapproximately0.12.(SeeAppendixKforequivalentnutfactor.)
(3) Coatedtorquevaluesapplyonlyforinitialtighteningofnew,coatedboltsusingthetorqueincrementroundsshownin
Table2.Forsecondandsubsequenttighteningbytorquingmethods,useoflubricantsandtorquevaluesasspecifiedfor
noncoatedboltsisrecommended.
 

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 Appendix A
Proposed Revision to ASME PCC-1
Item 16-367
TableOͲxxReferenceValues(TargetTorqueIndex)forCalculatingTargetTorqueValuesforLowͲAlloySteelBolting
BasedonUnitPrestressof1ksi(RootArea)(InchSeriesThreads)
[Note:Additionsinboltunderlinedfont;deletionsinstrikethrough]
Targettorqueindex,TI,ftͲlb/ksi  Targettorqueindex,TI,Nm/MPa
NominalBolt atNutFactor,K,of  atNutFactor,K,of
Size,in. 0.15 0.18 0.2  0.15 0.18 0.2
1/2 0.79 0.94 1.05  0.15 0.19 0.21
5/8 1.58 1.89 2.10  0.31 0.37 0.41
3/4 2.83 3.40 3.78  0.56 0.67 0.74
7/8 4.58 5.50 6.11  0.90 1.08 1.20
1 6.89 8.27 9.18  1.35 1.63 1.81
11/8 10.2 12.3 13.7  2.01 2.42 2.68
11/4 14.5 17.4 19.4  2.85 3.43 3.81
13/8 19.9 23.8 26.5  3.90 4.68 5.20
11/2 26.3 31.6 35.1  5.18 6.22 6.91
15/8 34.1 41.0 45.5  6.71 8.05 8.95
13/4 43.3 52.0 57.8  8.52 10.2 11.4
17/8 53.9 64.7 71.9  10.6 12.7 14.1
2 66.3 79.5 88.3  13.0 15.6 17.4
21/4 96.2 115 128  18.9 22.7 25.2
21/2 134 161 179  26.4 31.6 35.2
23/4 181 217 241  35.6 42.7 47.4
3 237 284 316  46.6 55.9 62.1
31/4 304 365 406  59.8 71.8 79.8
31/2 383 459 510  75.3 90.3 100
33/4 474 569 632  93.2 112 124
4 579 694 771  114 137 152


GENERALNOTES:
(a) ThevaluesshownarebasedonaTargetPrestressof50ksi(rootarea).Seesection12(TargetTorqueDetermination). The
rootareasarebasedoncoarseͲthreadseriesforsizes1in.andsmaller,and8Ͳpitchthreadseriesforsizes118in.and
larger.Thedeterminationofrootareaforinchseriesthreadsarebasedona2Atolerance.
(b) TherearemanywaysofcalculatingTargetTorquevaluesforboltedpressurejoints.ThebasisfortheTargetTtorqueIndex
valuesinthisTable1MaredescribedintheNotesbelow.Whenconditionsvary,suchasdifferentboltmaterialsordifferent
coatings,fromthoseconsideredinthistable,refertoAppendixK,oroptionallytoAppendixJ,oftheseguidelinesto
computeappropriatetorquevalues.
NOTES:
(1) ThetabulatedTargetTorquevaluesarebasedon“working”surfacesthatcomplywithsection4(CleaningandExamination
ofFlangeandFastenerContactSurfaces)andsection7(Lubricationof“Working”Surfaces).TheTargetTorquevalueswere
computedusingnutfactorsselectedtoachieveaTargetPrestressof50ksi.Thetorqueswereadjustedbasedonindustry
experienceandverifiedbyboltelongationmeasurements.
(2) TheTargetTorqueIndex,TI,isdeterminedfromequation(OͲ2),fortheNutFactorindicated,andapplyingaunitbolt
loadof1ksiforSbsel.Forexample,fora3/4inchboltusingaNutFactorof0.2:
TI=SbselKAbIb/12=1000x0.2x0.302x0.75/12=3.78
[Note:Thevalueof1000intheexampleforSbselrepresents1000psiratherthan1ksitomaintainconsistencyinunits.]
(3) WhentheTargetTorqueIndex,TI,isdetermined,thisvalueismultipliedbytheselectedassemblyboltloadSbseltoarrive
atthefinaltorquevalueTb.Forexample:The3/4inchboltintheexampleinNote2aboveisintheNPS3Class300flange
describedintheexamplecalculationinparagaphOͲ4.3,forwhichtheselectedassemblyboltstress,Sbsel,is63ksi.The
TargetTorquebecomes:
Tb=SbselxTI=63ksix3.78ftͲlb/ksi=238ftͲlb
Thiscalculatedvalueisroundeduptothenearest5ftͲlbtobecome240ftͲlb.
(2) Thecoatingoncoatedboltsispolyimide/amideandisconsideredtobethesolesourceof“working”surfacelubrication;the
applicationofalubricanttothecoatedsurfacescanresultinaconsiderablereductionintheassumedcoefficientoffriction
ofapproximately0.12.(SeeAppendixKforequivalentnutfactor.)
(3) Coatedtorquevaluesapplyonlyforinitialtighteningofnew,coatedboltsusingthetorqueincrementroundsshownin
Table2.Forsecondandsubsequenttighteningbytorquingmethods,useoflubricantsandtorquevaluesasspecifiedfor
noncoatedboltsisrecommended.
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