FF-B-588 Hex Bolts | Federal Specification Finished & Heavy Hex Bolts | Akbar Fasteners Mumbai
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ISO 9001:2015 · US Federal Specification
Finished Hex  ·  Heavy Hex  ·  Full & Partial Thread

FF-B-588
Hex Bolts
Mumbai · India

Akbar Fasteners Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai — ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer and exporter of hex bolts referenced under US Federal Specification FF-B-588. Where FF-N-836 covers the nut half of a bolted joint and FF-S-107 covers precision cap screws, FF-B-588 covers the general-purpose hex head bolt itself — finished hex bolts for standard structural and mechanical assembly, and heavy hex bolts where a wider head and body diameter suit a heavier structural connection.
Reference US Federal Specification FF-B-588
Types Finished Hex, Heavy Hex
Materials Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel, Stainless
Commercial Equivalent ASME B18.2.1
2
Core Bolt Types
50+
Countries Export Experience
2
Thread Length Options
ISO
9001:2015 Certified
The Same Basic Bolt, Two Different Weight Classes

Finished Hex Bolts vs Heavy Hex Bolts

FF-B-588 covers two related but distinct hex bolt types, and choosing between them is mostly a question of the width across flats the joint actually needs. A finished hex bolt uses the standard head and body dimensions most general mechanical and light structural assembly is built around — it’s the bolt most people picture when they picture a hex bolt. A heavy hex bolt uses a wider head and, on larger sizes, a wider body diameter, purpose-built for heavier structural steel connections where the extra bearing surface and wrenching flats genuinely matter under higher load.

That head-size difference isn’t cosmetic — it changes what wrench or socket fits, and it changes how the bolt’s bearing area behaves under a heavily loaded structural connection compared to a general mechanical joint. Getting this choice right at the drawing stage avoids finding out on-site that the wrong hex size was ordered for the structural connection design.

Akbar Fasteners Pvt. Ltd. exports to over 50 countries, and our hex bolt range is manufactured in both finished hex and heavy hex types, verified by mechanical and dimensional testing under our ISO 9001:2015 quality system.

FF-B-588 Hex Bolt — Akbar Fasteners
Why Buyers Specify FF-B-588

Where FF-B-588 Genuinely Applies

Unambiguous Government Specification

Removes ambiguity in federal purchase orders needing a defined general-purpose hex bolt standard.

Correctly Matched to Nut Type

Head style paired correctly to the FF-N-836 nut type and wrenching tool available on site.

Both Standard and Heavy-Duty Options

Finished hex for general assembly, heavy hex for heavier structural steel connections.

Verified Tensile & Proof Load

Batch tensile and proof load testing confirms genuine strength grade, not just correct dimensions.

Bolt Types We Manufacture

FF-B-588 Type Options Explained

Finished Hex Bolt

Standard Hex Head Bolt

Standard head and body dimensions for general-purpose mechanical and light structural assembly.

Heavy Hex Bolt

Heavy Hex Head Bolt

Wider head across flats, and on larger sizes a wider body, for heavier structural steel connections.

Thread Length

Full Thread / Partial (Body Bound) Thread

Full thread for general clamping applications; partial thread with a smooth shank where a precise fit in a reamed hole matters.

Matching Bolt Type to Application

Bolt Type Selection Guide

The right bolt type depends on the load-bearing requirement and the wrenching tool the assembly is designed around. This table is the quick reference we use with buyers before quoting.

RequirementCorrect TypeKey Function
General Mechanical AssemblyFinished Hex BoltStandard head/body dimensions
Heavy Structural Steel ConnectionHeavy Hex BoltWider head/body for higher bearing load
Precise Fit in a Reamed HolePartial (Body Bound) ThreadSmooth shank matches hole tolerance
General Clamping ApplicationFull ThreadMaximum thread engagement
Materials, Grades, and Dimensions

FF-B-588 Specification Details

Material Options

Materials We Manufacture In

  • Carbon Steel Grade A / Grade 5 Equivalent
  • Alloy Steel Heat Treated, Higher Grade
  • Stainless Steel 304 / 316
  • Finish Plain / Zinc / Hot-Dip Galvanized
Manufacturing Process

How Hex Bolts Are Made

  • Process Hot Forged / Cold Formed
  • Heat Treatment As Required per Grade
  • Testing Tensile / Proof Load
  • Quality Batch Sampled
Size Range

Available Dimensions

  • Nominal Size 1/4″ – 2″ (Inch Series)
  • Metric Equivalent Available to Drawing
  • Type Finished Hex / Heavy Hex
  • Matching Standard ASME B18.2.1
Where FF-B-588 Hex Bolts Are Specified

Application Areas

Wherever a government or defense-adjacent purchase order references the specification directly.

Defense & Military Equipment

Federal procurement
hardware requirements

Structural Steel Construction

Heavy hex bolts for
structural steel connections

Government Infrastructure Projects

Public works and
federal facility construction

Naval & Marine Equipment

Government marine
procurement contracts

Machine & Equipment Assembly

Finished hex bolts for
general mechanical assembly

Rail & Transit Equipment

Government transit
authority procurement

Bridges & Heavy Civil Works

Heavy hex bolts in
bridge and civil connections

General Government-Contract Hardware

Standard fastening across
federally specified projects
Every Export Shipment Prepared With

Standard Export Documentation

Prepared as standard practice for every FF-B-588 hex bolt shipment.

Mill Test Certificate (MTC)

Heat number, chemical composition, and mechanical property verification for every lot.

Certificate of Conformance

Confirms the shipment matches the purchase order type/grade specification in full.

Tensile & Proof Load Test Records

Batch-level testing confirming genuine strength grade performance for the ordered bolt type.

Certificate of Origin (COO)

Confirms India as country of manufacture for destination customs purposes.

NABL Accredited Test Reports

Independent mechanical and dimensional testing available on request for critical applications.

Commercial Invoice & Packing List

Itemized value, Incoterm, and detailed carton/weight breakdown for customs clearance.

Standards We Manufacture To

Internationally Recognised Standards Coverage

US Federal Specification
FF-B-588
Federal specification for finished hex bolts and heavy hex bolts across standard grades and finishes.
Companion Federal Spec
FF-N-836
The hex nut specification for the mating half of the bolted joint.
Commercial Equivalent
ASME B18.2.1
The commercial hex bolt standard frequently cross-referenced alongside FF-B-588 for dimensional equivalence.
Material — Steel
ASTM A307 / A449
Carbon and alloy steel bolt specifications commonly referenced for standard and higher-grade material.
Structural Steel Reference
ASTM A325 / A490
High-strength structural bolt specifications commonly cross-referenced for heavy hex structural connections.
Quality System
ISO 9001:2015
QMS certification covering our complete manufacturing, inspection, and documentation process at our Mumbai facility.
FF-B-588 Hex Bolts — Manufacturer & Exporter

Need Finished Hex
or Heavy Hex Bolts?

Send us your joint design, size, and grade requirement — we’ll confirm specification match, lead time, and documentation before you order. Akbar Fasteners Pvt. Ltd. responds within 24 hours.

Sales: +91 724 0000 733 · Support: +91 800 9315 333 · sales@akbarfasteners.in

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