BONOTE KNOWLEDGE

Technical Resources

Clarify standards, grades, finishes and inspection requirements for accurate quotations and executable orders.

RFQ GUIDE

Six points to confirm before sourcing

These are practical tools for enquiries and order confirmation, not just an introduction.

RFQ information checklist

Complete information reduces clarification cycles and keeps price, lead time and inspection scope on the same basis.

Standards and grades

Product dimensions, mechanical properties and finish requirements are different layers and should be confirmed separately.

Materials and property classes

Confirm the application first, then specify material and property class; appearance alone cannot identify either.

Surface finish selection

Select the finish with the base material, environment, assembly, friction and hydrogen-embrittlement risk in mind.

Inspection and documents

Define inspection scope, sampling and deliverables before quotation to avoid late changes before shipment.

Drawing-based parts

A clear drawing is the basis for process, tooling, inspection and lead-time review. Put critical requirements on the drawing or specification.

PROCUREMENT TOOLKIT

Fastener sourcing toolkit

Use the key fields, common mistakes and RFQ examples below. For safety-critical design or project approval, follow the latest standard, approved drawing and project specification.

RFQ information checklist

Complete information reduces clarification cycles and keeps price, lead time and inspection scope on the same basis.

Item	Confirm	Example
Product and standard	Name, standard number and revision	Hexagon head bolt, ISO 4014:2022
Size and thread	Diameter, length, pitch and thread length	M16 × 80, coarse, partially threaded
Material and grade	Material and property class	Carbon steel, class 8.8
Finish and quantity	Coating system, colour, test, quantity and unit	Trivalent clear zinc, 20,000 pcs
Delivery and files	Packing, destination, Incoterm and inspection files	Cartons on pallet, FOB Tianjin, dimensional report

Common mistakeSending only a photo or “8.8 bolt” without a standard, size, finish or quantity.

RFQ exampleISO 4014:2022 hexagon head bolt, M16 × 80, class 8.8, trivalent clear zinc, 20,000 pcs, cartons on pallets.

Download the Excel RFQ template

The workbook includes a bilingual RFQ form and completion guidance in Chinese, English and Arabic.

Excel

Standards and grades

Product dimensions, mechanical properties and finish requirements are different layers and should be confirmed separately.

Layer	Confirm	Purchasing note
Product standard	Head style, dimensions, tolerances and thread length	State number and revision
Mechanical properties	Material group, property class and tests	For example ISO 898-1 or ISO 3506-1
Surface finish	Coating system, thickness, appearance and tests	State the finish standard separately
Project documents	Drawings, specifications and approved lists	Define precedence if requirements conflict

Common mistakeListing DIN, ISO, ASTM and GB together without a governing standard, revision or approved substitution rule.

RFQ exampleDimensions to ISO 4014:2022; mechanical properties to ISO 898-1:2013; finish to the attached order specification.

Materials and property classes

Confirm the application first, then specify material and property class; appearance alone cannot identify either.

Category	Confirm	RFQ wording
Carbon／alloy steel	Property class, heat treatment and decarburization limits	Material + class + standard
Stainless steel	Steel group, property class, magnetism or corrosion need	For example A2-70 and environment
Structural bolting	Joint use, preload and project specification	Use project-approved standard and grade
Drawing parts	Material designation, substitution and properties	Follow drawing material field and notes

Common mistakeWriting only “304” or “high strength” without a property class, applicable standard or service environment.

RFQ exampleStainless hex bolt, A2-70, general outdoor environment; dimensions and acceptance per drawing.

Surface finish selection

Select the finish with the base material, environment, assembly, friction and hydrogen-embrittlement risk in mind.

Finish	Key consideration	Add to the RFQ
Electroplated zinc	Appearance, thickness, passivation and embrittlement control	Colour, thickness and corrosion or functional test
Hot-dip galvanizing	Thicker coating, thread fit and dimensional limits	Product standard, thread fit and project requirement
Zinc flake	Corrosion resistance, friction and assembly consistency	System, colour and torque requirement
Black oxide／other	Usually needs oil or service-specific validation	Protection period, packing and storage

Common mistakeWriting only “zinc plated” or a salt-spray duration without coating system, thickness, colour or acceptance method.

RFQ exampleTrivalent clear zinc, target 8–12 μm; corrosion and embrittlement requirements per the agreed order specification.

Inspection and documents

Define inspection scope, sampling and deliverables before quotation to avoid late changes before shipment.

Area	Confirm	Deliverable
Dimensions and appearance	Critical dimensions, tolerance, appearance and sampling	Dimensional report
Threads	GO／NO-GO gauges, class and post-coating inspection	Thread inspection record
Material and properties	Material, hardness, tensile and proof load	Material／mechanical report
Coating and corrosion	Thickness, adhesion, appearance and corrosion test	Coating or test report
Third-party inspection	Agency, hold points, language and schedule	Third-party certificate

Common mistakeAdding third-party inspection, special sampling or a prescribed certificate format after order confirmation.

RFQ exampleProvide dimensional, material and coating-thickness records before shipment; quote third-party inspection separately if required.

Drawing-based parts

A clear drawing is the basis for process, tooling, inspection and lead-time review. Put critical requirements on the drawing or specification.

Drawing field	Specify	Review focus
Geometry and tolerances	Complete dimensions, datums and GD&T	Manufacturing and inspection feasibility
Thread and fit	Form, class, engagement and mating part	Forming route and gauges
Material and heat treatment	Designation, hardness range and properties	Material and process capability
Surface finish	System, thickness, masking and appearance	Allowance and functional impact
Quantity and delivery	Samples, lot size, annual demand and target date	Tooling and production schedule

Common mistakeProviding only a screenshot or 3D appearance without 2D dimensions, tolerances, material and finish requirements.

RFQ exampleSend a legible PDF drawing and, if available, the native CAD file with critical dimensions and acceptance methods marked.

VERIFY THE STANDARD

Official standard references

These links lead to official catalogue pages for checking status and scope; consult the published standard for full technical requirements.

This page supports purchasing communication. It does not replace current standards, approved drawings, engineering judgement or order specifications. Do not assume different standards are equivalent by title or appearance alone.

MORE KNOWLEDGE

Technical Resources

Six points to confirm before sourcing

RFQ information checklist

Standards and grades

Materials and property classes

Surface finish selection

Inspection and documents

Drawing-based parts

Fastener sourcing toolkit

RFQ information checklist

Standards and grades

Materials and property classes

Surface finish selection

Inspection and documents

Drawing-based parts

Further reading

DIN, ISO, ASTM and GB Standards: What Buyers Should Confirm

Choosing Fastener Materials and Finishes

How to Prepare a Complete Fastener RFQ