Hardness
A grade 5 hardness bolt is a bolt made of medium carbon steel and depending on the manufacturer can either be or not heat treated.
10.9 on a metric bolt indicates the hardness (or load, tensile strength, and hardness) of the bolt. This is almost as high as they get and is about the equivalent to a grade 8 SAE or USS bolt. 8.8 is also a common metric hardness.
A bolt with hardness Rc 27-34 falls under the Grade 5 category. Grade 5 bolts are medium carbon steel that is quenched and tempered for increased strength and hardness. They are commonly used in automotive and general engineering applications.
The Rockwell C Hardness for a grade 10.9 fastener is 32 - 39HRC or 320 - 380Hv10
A grade 2 washer typically has a hardness ranging from 80-100 Brinell. This hardness level makes it suitable for general-purpose applications where high strength is not required.
A bolt.
SAE sets standard sizes and grades for bolts.Size and Grade are different:Size is set By the SAE (society of Automotive engineer's) and is stated as thickness followed by thread pitch followed by length 1/4 x 24 (threads per inch) x 1 1/14 (inches long) Grade Is a statement of strength and hardness. Most auto hardware tends to be grade 5 and some high strength stuff is grade 8 or grade 12
he diameter of the bolt.
a grade 8 bolt is stronger, about twice as strong.
If there are lines coming inward from the outside on the head then this is an SAE bolt, not metric. If there are three of these lines than it is a grade five bolt.
Grade 10.9 bolts or capscrews have a minimum tensile strength of 1040N/mm2 and a hardness of 320 - 380Hv10. Grade 12.9 bolts or capscrews have a minimum tensile strength of 1220N/mm2 and a hardness of 385 - 435Hv10. The 12.9 fastener is therefore a higher grade (hardness and tensile strength) fastener compared with 10.9 grade