cditorque.

com

1 de 5

http://www.cditorque.com/education.html#What

Search:

HOME

ABOUT US

CATALOG

DEALER LOCATOR

TORQUE EDUCATION

SERVICE & SUPPORT

CONTACT

What is Torque?
According to Webster:
A twisting or wrenching effect, or moment, exerted by a
force acting at a distance on a body, equal to the force
multiplied by the perpendicular distance between the line
of action of the force, and the center of rotation at which it
is exerted.
A force, which tends to produce rotation. The
measurement of torque is based on the fundamental law
of the lever.

Torque is expressed in commonly used

units of measurement such as:
in. lbs. = inch pounds
in. ozs. = inch ounces
ft. lbs. = foot pounds
Nm = Newton meter
cNm = Centi Newton meter

Torque and Clamping Force

Basic Torque Formula
L (length) x F (force) = T (torque)

Controlling the torque applied in tightening threaded fasteners is the most

commonly used method for the application of clamping force. There are many
factors which may affect the relationship between torque and clamping force
of threaded fasteners. Some of these are: the type of lubricant used on the
threads, the material from which the bolt and nut are made, the type of
washers used, the class and finish of threads and various other factors. It is
not possible to establish a definite relationship between torque and clamping
force which will be applicable for all conditions.
Torque Versus Clamping Force

Example: A two foot lever at a right angle to the

fastener with 200 pounds at the end will produce
400 foot/pounds of torque.

Only a small part of the torque

applied to a fastener contributes to
clamping force. The remaining, as
much as 90% of the total applied
torque, is used to overcome friction
under the fastener head (or between
nut and washer) and friction in
thread engagement.

Torque Formula: L x F = T

TORQUE

What are we trying to achieve with a torque wrench?

Answer: Proper Clamping Force

Head Friction:
45% - 55%

TORQUE

1. Head Friction
2. Thread Friction
3. Clamping Force

Thread Friction:
35% - 45%
Clamping Force:
10%

> return to top

Torque Wrench Safety

These precautions should always be taken when using any torque wrench to avoid
possible injury:

9/2/2016 2:12 PM

cditorque.com

2 de 5

http://www.cditorque.com/education.html#What

Read instruction manual completely before using torque wrench.

Safety glasses or goggles should be worn at all times when using any hand tool.
Always pull, DO NOT PUSH, to apply torque and adjust your stance to prevent a fall.
A "cheater bar" should NEVER be used on a torque wrench to apply excess leverage.
Do not use with sockets or fasteners showing wear or cracks.
Ratchet mechanism may slip or break if dirty, mismatched or worn parts are used.
Make sure direction lever is fully engaged.

All mechanical torque wrenches are calibrated from 20% to 100% of full scale, therefore, they
should never be used below or above those limits
To determine which torque wrench capacity is best suited for an application, many factors must
be considered. However, as a recommendation, use a torque wrench in the middle 50% of the
overall capacity of the tool. This will result in longer tool life, ease of use for the operator and
increased accuracy from "clicker" type torque wrenches
Always grasp handle firmly in the center of the grip
Approach final torque slowly and evenly
Stop pulling wrench immediately when target torque is reached
Never use a torque wrench to break fasteners loose
Should be cleaned and stored properly
Should always be stored at its lowest torque setting
Wrenches should be re-calibrated if dropped. Should never be used in excess of its capacity
Torque wrenches should be "exercised" a minimum of three times at 100% of full scale before
use
The wrench selected should be calibrated in the same torque units that are specified
Use of a "cheater bar" will result in an inaccurate reading and can possibly damage the wrench
Torque wrenches will last longer if reasonable care is taken. Always unwind handle to the
lowest setting after each use. Do not attempt to lubricate the internal torque mechanism.
Clean torque wrench by wiping, do not immerse. The wrench should be sent to a qualified
calibration lab once every year or every 5000 cycles for re-calibration

> return to top

Torque Conversion
Common Torque Abbreviations
Easy-to-use Torque
Conversion Table
To
Convert
From
in. oz.
in. lb.
in. lb.
in. lb.
in. lb.
in. lb.
in. lb.
ft. lb.
ft. lb.
ft. lb.
dNm
dNm
Nm
Nm
Nm

To
in. lb.
in.oz.
ft.lb.
cmkg
mkg
Nm
dNm
in. lb.
mkg
Nm
in. lb.
Nm
dNm
cmkg

Multiply
by
0.0625
16
0.08333
1.1519
0.011519
0.113
1.13
12
0.1382
1.356
0.885
0.10
10
10.2

mkg

0.102

Foot Pounds ft. lbs.

Inch Pounds in. lbs.
Inch Ounces in. ozs.
Newton Meter Nm
Centi-Newton Meter cNm
Meter Kilogram Mkg

Torque Conversion Calculators

To convert torque values for other units, click on the unit you are starting with below and a
popup window calculator will provide you a quick way to make the conversions:

Inch Ounces
Inch Pounds
Foot Pounds
milli Newton metres
centi Newton metres
deci Newton metres

9/2/2016 2:12 PM

cditorque.com

3 de 5

http://www.cditorque.com/education.html#What

Nm
Nm
cmkg
cmkg
mkg
mkg

in. lb.
ft. lb.
in. lb.
Nm
in. lb.
ft. lb.

8.85
0.7376
0.8681
0.09807
86.81
7.236

mkg

Nm

9.807

Newton metres
kilogram centimeters
kilogram meters

Use of Adapter
Formula:

Length (L) =
Dial Wrenches =
Micrometer Wrenches =

Desired Torque (TA) =

Added Length of Adapter (A) =
New Setting (TW) =

Example:

TA x L
L+A

= TW

Effective length of the wrench as described below.

The measured distance from the center of the square drive to the center ring or notch on the handle.
The measured length from the center of the square drive to the center of the handle, with the wrench
set at the desired torque reading.
The torque value designated for the fastener with or without an adapter.
The measured length from the center of the adapter drive to the center of the wrench square drive.
The torque setting on the wrench allowing for the added length of the adapter. This reading will be
lower than the desired torque.
250 ft. lb. Dial Wrench using a 2 long crowfoot adapter
L = Effective Length: 18.75
Desired Torque = 250 ft. lb.
Length of Adapter = 2

Result:

18.75" x 250 ft. lb.

= Pull Wrench to 226 ft. lb.
18.75" + 2"

> return to top

Indicated Value vs. Full Value

Issues to consider when selecting an electronic torque tester:
1 Accuracy: Generally there are two ways of stating
accuracy:
A. % of full-scale deflection or FSD
B. % of indicated value or reading
The following example will show the difference between
the two methods:

Case 1 - Assume you have a 100 ft. lb. tester

(maximum), and that the stated accuracy is +/- 0.5%
of full scale.

Furthermore, transducers which are used to convert the mechanical torque into
an electrical signal may become inconsistent below 10% of full-scale deflection.
It is for the above stated reason that systems which have accuracy as related to
indicated value should state the useful range to be 10% to 100% of the tester
range.
Therefore, if a tester has 100 ft. lb. maximum range, it should not be used at
less than 10 ft. lbs. if the desired accuracy is needed.
It is CDIs belief that in order to be completely honest to the customer, accuracy
should always be stated as a percent of indicated value and the useful range
should correspond to that stated accuracy. This will prevent the user from having
to calculate what the
real error is at any given range.

9/2/2016 2:12 PM

cditorque.com

4 de 5

http://www.cditorque.com/education.html#What

3 Circuitry: There are two basic ways of measuring the output of a torque
transducer.

At 100 ft. lb. +/- 0.5% full scale error = .5 ft, lb. This
represents the best case error of the system.
However, when a lower range is utilized, this .5 ft-lb
becomes more significant. That is, on the same 100 ft.
lb. tester;

1. Analog (non-microprocessor based pure analog)

2. Digital (microprocessor based plus analog input)

at 50 ft. lb. - .5 ft. lb. error = 1% accuracy

at 10 ft, lb. - .5 ft. lb. error = 5% accuracy
at 1 ft. lb. - .5 ft. lb. error = 50% accuracy

Without in-depth explanations of these two systems, the following advantages of

having digital circuitry are well known throughout the electronics industry.

Therefore, what looks to be a good accuracy reading at

full-scale actually translates into substantial error at the
low range of the tester.

1. Digital systems are economical, flexible and compact.

2. Digital systems improve reliability in the face of hardware imperfections.
3. Digital systems allow the ability to make logical decisions, carry out digital
computations (unlimited unit conversion) and store the results in memory.

Case 2 - Assume you have a 100 ft. lb. tester

(maximum), and that the stated accuracy is +/- 0.5%
of indicated value.

Basically, full digital systems are computer controlled. It is important that the
terms digital display or digital memory do not necessarily mean that the
system has full digital circuitry.

at 100 ft. lb. - .5% error .5 ft. lb.

at 50 ft. lb. - .5 % error .25 ft. lb.
at 10 ft. lb. - .5% error .05 ft. lb.
As can be seen by the above examples, error as related
to full-scale value increases significantly as you go lower
in the range, while error as related to indicated value
stays constant throughout the useful range of the tester.

2 Range: Generally when manufacturers advertise %

error of full-scale, their useful ranges will be advertised
from zero to full-scale. That is, +/- 0.5% accurate (fullscale) from 0-100 ft. lb. This is interesting because at zero
ft. lb., the system is only accurate to within +/- 0.5 ft. lb.
Basically, error goes to infinity at zero.

> return to top

Bolt Torque Specifications

Bolt Torque Charts
These charts show suggested maximum torque values for threaded products and are intended only as a guide. Always refer to the
manufacturers recommended torque values if possible. CDI Torque Products is not responsible for any application of torque or it's
consequences as a result of using this chart. Use at your own risk!
Bolt Size

18-8
Stainless
Steel

316
Stainless
Steel

Nylon

2 - 56

2.5

2.0

4 - 40

5.2

4.3

1.4

2.6

0.44

2.9

5.5

4 - 48

6.6

1.19

5.4

3.6

6.9

6 - 32
6 - 40

9.6

7.9

5.3

10.1

12.1

9.9

6.6

12.7

8 - 32
8 - 36

19.8

16.2

10.8

20.7

22.0

18.0

12.0

23.0

10 - 24

22.8

18.6

13.8

23.8

10 - 32

31.7

25.9

19.2

33.1

8.20

1/4" - 20

75.2

61.5

45.6

78.8

16.00

Brass

Aluminum
2024-T4

INCH POUNDS

2.14
4.30
6.61

1/4" - 28

94.0

77.0

57.0

99.0

20.80

5/16" - 18

132.0

107.0

80.0

138.0

34.90

5/16" - 24

142.0

116.0

86.0

147.0

3/8" - 16

236.0

192.0

143.0

247.0

3-8" - 24

259.0

212.0

157.0

271.0

7/16" - 14

376.0

317.0

228.0

393.0

7/16" - 20

400.0

357.0

242.0

418.0

1/2" - 13

517.0

422.0

313.0

542.0

1/2" - 20

541.0

443.0

328.0

565.0

9/16" - 12

682.0

558.0

413.0

713.0

9/16" - 18

752.0

615.0

456.0

787.0

5/8" - 11

1110.0

907.0

715.0

1160.0

5/8" - 18

1244.0

1016.0

798.0

1301.0

9/2/2016 2:12 PM

cditorque.com

5 de 5

http://www.cditorque.com/education.html#What

3/4" - 10

1530.0

1249.0

980.0

1582.0

3/4" - 16

1490.0

1220.0

958.0

1558.0

7/8" - 9

2328.0

1905.0

1495.0

2430.0

7/8" - 14

2318.0

1895.0

1490.0

2420.0

1" - 8

3440.0

2815.0

2205.0

3595.0

1"- 14

3110.0

2545.0

1995.0

3250.0

Bolt
Size
Inches

Coarse
Thread/
inch

SAE 0-1-2
74,000 psi
Low Carbon
Steel

SAE Grade 3
100,000 psi
Med Carbon
Steel

1/4

20

5/16

18

12

17

3/8

16

20

7/16

14

1/2

SAE Grade 5
120,000 psi
Med. Carbon
Heat T. Steel

SAE Grade 6
133,000 psi
Med. Carbon
Temp. Steel

SAE Grade 7
133,000 psi
Med. Carbon
Alloy Steel

SAE Grade 8
150,000 psi
Med Carbon
Alloy Steel

10

12.5

13

14

19

24

25

29

30

33

43

44

47

32

47

54

69

71

78

13

47

69

78

106

110

119

9/16

12

69

103

114

150

154

169

5/8

11

96

145

154

209

215

230

3/4

10

155

234

257

350

360

380

7/8

206

372

382

550

570

600

310

551

587

825

840

700

1-1/8

480

872

794

1304

1325

1430

1-1/4

375

1211

1105

1815

1825

1975

1-3/8

900

1624

1500

2434

2500

2650

1-1/2

1100

1943

1775

2913

3000

3200

1-5/8

5.5

1470

2660

2425

3985

4000

4400

1-3/4

1900

3463

3150

5189

5300

5650

1-7/8

2360

4695

4200

6980

7000

7600

4.5

2750

5427

4550

7491

7500

8200

FOOT POUNDS

> return to top

HOME | ABOUT US | CATALOG | DEALER LOCATOR | TORQUE EDUCATION

SERVICE & SUPPORT | FTP MANAGER | CONTACT

2016 CDI TORQUE Products

A Snap-on Incorporated Brand

9/2/2016 2:12 PM