Fastener RFQ Requirements Guide

A complete fastener RFQ should identify the product type, applicable standard or drawing, dimensions, thread system, material, property class or grade, finish, quantity, packing and required inspection documents.

Buyers may request MTC or MTR, certificate of conformity, dimensional report, hardness report, tensile or proof-load report, thread gauge report, coating report, packing inspection report, and photos depending on the order requirements.

Both MTC and MTR relate to material test documentation. Buyers should define the required document type before production because the exact wording and content depend on the supplier and project requirements.

Thread GO / NO-GO gauges help confirm whether bolts, nuts, rods, or tapped parts fit the agreed thread requirement before shipment.

Coating thickness or salt spray reports should be requested when finish performance or project documents require verification, and the requirement should be agreed before production.

Buyers can ask how cartons connect to inspection lots, production batches, heat numbers, and raw material certificates to confirm lot traceability.

Early RFQ review reduces missing specifications, unclear documents, wrong finish assumptions, and shipment packing surprises before quotation.

Buyers should provide either a recognized fastener standard number or a detailed drawing in the RFQ to give the supplier a clear reference for dimensions, tolerances, threading, and acceptance criteria.

Fastener dimensions should be written as diameter and length in the unit system of the standard, for example M12 x 60 for metric or 1/2-13 x 3 for inch, and should match the standard or drawing.

Metric thread pitch should be specified in millimeters following the diameter, for example M12 x 1.75 or M12 x 1.25 when the pitch is non-coarse, and should reference the applicable standard.

UNC, UNF, and TPI should be specified after the inch diameter, for example 1/2-13 UNC or 1/2-20 UNF, and the buyer should confirm which thread series and class of fit the application requires.

Buyers should provide the material type such as carbon steel, stainless steel, or alloy steel, and the applicable property class or grade such as Grade 8.8, Grade 10.9, Grade 5, or Grade 2.

Property class is the metric designation for mechanical properties such as 8.8 or 10.9, while grade is the imperial designation such as Grade 5 or Grade 8. Buyers should use the system that matches the fastener standard.

Surface finish should be specified clearly by its common name such as zinc plated, hot-dip galvanized, black oxide, or plain, and the buyer should confirm the applicable coating standard or thickness requirement.

Multiple SKUs can be included in one RFQ. Each SKU should have its own line item with complete specifications, quantity, and packing requirements so the supplier can quote each item separately.

An RFQ should include packing per carton, carton weight, bag or box preference, pallet configuration, and marking or label requirements to help the supplier prepare an accurate packing and shipping plan.

Buyers can request dimensional inspection reports, material certificates, thread gauge reports, coating thickness reports, salt spray test reports, hardness reports, tensile or proof-load reports, and packing inspection reports.

Common causes of delays or errors include incomplete product identification, missing thread pitch, unclear finish requirements, no standard or drawing reference, and requesting price before defining specifications.