Top 12 Lock Washers

From household to automotive industries, the use of lock washers is widespread. The advantages of lock washers are several. With a lock washer fixed, the chances of the fastener getting dislocated or corroded reduce dramatically. These go beneath the fastener, so affixing a lock washer at the time of installation can prevent the fastener from loosening and add a layer of protection to the object's surface. Skipping on these parts is akin to constructing a structure without any foundation— the absence of lock washers can affect the object's assembly.

The relevance of lock washers

Attaching lock washers require precision. Since their primary role is to exert spring tension and lock the fastener so that no vibrations loosen it, one needs to tighten lock washers by applying the necessary torque for efficient results. Lock washers are composed of hardened metals such as steel or silicon bronze. The steel used to make lock washers can either be stainless, zinc-plated, or galvanized. Washers are of different kinds, and requirements dictate each one's suitability. Lock washers are popular in transportation, primarily in aircraft, automotive, and marine sectors, where constant vibration can affect the fasteners.

The various types of lock washers and their uses

When checking out lock washers, you will come across mainly two variants— split lock and tooth lock washers. When fixed, the two ends of the split lock washers exert a spring force, resist the fastener's motion, and restrict it with enhanced friction. These are the frequently purchased types and are useful in machines that support smaller loads. Tooth lock washer types include internal use lock washer and star washers. The teeth of the former project inward and clamps the head of small screws tightly. The star washer teeth protrude outwards and push into the object's surface to hold it in place.

Tooth lock washers may leave impressions or develop scratches on the screw head it comes into contact with, but one cannot overlook the sturdiness they offer. Then there are tab washers, suitable for tough and robust applications, and one can easily bend its tab to accommodate the fastener head to limit its motion. Lock washers that use 304 or 316 stainless steel or come with a galvanized finish display corrosion-resistant properties, even in humid conditions, making them extremely durable.

A convenient buying option

Users can buy lock washers as an assortment set that includes different types of washers suitable for similarly sized nuts, bolts, and screws. The manufacturers usually pack these washers in a transparent plastic case, and the prospect of using it as a storage box at some point has attracted buyers in the past. Commercial appliances in households and industries and applications in the automotive and aerospace sectors can surely benefit from this convenient purchase.

Categories Simillar to Lock Washers includes Tooth Lock Washers, Belleville Washers and Beveled Washers

Tooth Lock Washers

Belleville Washers

Beveled Washers

Countersunk Washers

Cup Washers

Flat Washers

Sealing Washers

Spherical Washers

Square Washers

Wave Washers