U-Bolt

A U-bolt is a bent rod with threaded ends, shaped like the letter U. It holds pipe, tube or round bar against a flat surface.

A U-bolt clamps a pipe, tube or rod against a flat surface. It takes two nuts and often two washers of the same thread and class.

Zinc plating gives a thin, bright coating for indoor use and mild damp. Hot-dip galvanising gives a thicker coating for outdoor and wet areas. A plain finish has no coating and can rust unless oiled or painted.

This kind of U-bolt is often made in steel, stainless steel 304 or stainless steel 316. Steel grades can be mild, high tensile or class 4.8. Stainless steel 304 suits general outdoor use, while 316 gives better resistance to salt and chemicals.

This is a general guide to checking this kind of part. It says nothing about any supplier's parts.

Ask for a mill test certificate or a certificate of conformance for the material and grade. On receipt, check the thread form, the bend dimensions and the coating thickness. Look for cracks at the bend and confirm the thread runs freely on a matching nut.