what are the types of lock washers

1. Split Lock Washer. Split lock washers are non-continuous rings that tilt each end slightly outside in opposite directions.
2. External Tooth Washer. This type of lock washer has many teeth on its outer diameter that cut into a surface and maintain compression.
3. Internal Tooth Washer. This type of lock washer consists of many teeth on the inside diameter that cut into the nut or bolt.

Full Answer

How to properly use a lock washer?

• Use a socket or adjustable wrench to remove the nut from the bolt
• Use a flathead screwdriver to pull the lock washer off
• If it doesn’t move, work around the circumference of the washer with the screwdriver to loosen it.

What is the correct use of a lock washer?

Types of Washers

1. Spring Washer This washer is in the shape of a ring cut by spring steel. Its ends are slightly raised up and down due to spring tension. ...
2. Lock Washer This form of lock washer is used to lock the nuts and bolts. These are many forms. ...
3. Plain Washer

How do you use a lock washer?

Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Removing Lock Washers

1. Remove the nut or threaded fastener holding the washer in place. ...
2. Pry the lock washer off with a flat screwdriver. If you’re removing a split washer, place the screwdriver head beneath the washer or inside the split and push.
3. Spray the washer with lubricant if you can’t get it off. ...
4. Throw away worn out washers. ...

When and why you should use a spring lock washer?

When you want to increase the surface area of a surface so that force is distributed more evenly when you tighten a fastener, you use a flat washer. On the other hand, lock washers are more useful when you want to increase tension when you are tightening something, so that the nuts or bolts do not come loose after you are done.

What are the different types of lock washers?

Lock washers are available in two basic types: spring action or split washers and tooth washers.Split lock washers are helical-shaped split rings. ... Internal use lock washers have teeth made to bite into the nut/screw head and surface it contacts.More items...

What are the 4 types of washers?

Following are the types of washers, as per their utility and functions:Split lock washer.External tooth lock washer.Internal tooth lock washer.

What is the most common type of lock washer?

helical lock washerLock washers provide extra security against vibration and torque, locking the bolt firmly in place. The most common type of lock washer is a helical lock washer, also known as a split washer. It looks like a ring with two uneven ends offset from one another. These ends bite into the fastener, keeping it from turning.

What type of lock washer should I use?

Use tooth lock washers for extra force. Internal tooth washers work best on small screws or screws used in electrical grounding, while external tooth washers work best on large screws. Tooth lock washers work well with aluminum and soft plastic surfaces.

What are different washers for?

There are many different types of washers for a variety of applications. Lock washers are used to secure fasteners. Spring washers are a load bearing device that provides a preload between two surfaces.

What is the difference between form A and form B washers?

Type A is a series of steel washers at broad tolerances, where precision is not critical. Type B is a series of flat washers with tighter tolerances where outside diameters are categorized as "narrow", "regular" or "wide" for specific bolt sizes. "Type" is not to be confused with "form" (but often is).

What is a CS washer?

C-washers obtain their name for being in the shape of a “C” as they have a slot cut from the center to the perimeter allowing the washer to be removed, replaced or inserted without completely removing the fasteners. .

What is toothed lock washer?

Tooth lock washers (electrical contact washers) are designed to prevent bolted joints from loosening using friction. Similarly to serrated washers, tooth lock washers feature teeth-like-serrations either internally or externally.

What are star lock washers?

Starlock washers are a pressing used on plain shafts of steel, when a quick and permanent means of efficient assembly is needed. These washers dispel the need for threading and grooving operations, and are incredibly secure.

How many types of washers are there?

There are three main types of washers: plain washers, spring washers and lock washers.

Are there different grades of lock washers?

Are lock washers available in different strengths and what ASTM specification(s) cover them? The term “lock washer” can include a huge variety of different products used in many different applications that often are very specific and can include many different grades, materials and purposes.

What is the difference between a flat washer and a spring washer?

Plain washers are flat, whereas spring washers are curved. For most applications, plain washers are typically used. For machines and objects that vibrate, spring washers are recommended. Spring washers are unique because they provide an axial load that counters vibrations and, thus, prevents fasteners from loosening.

What is an external tooth lock washer?

The external tooth lock washer prevents a fastener head from loosening by using the strut action of the teeth.

What is a fender washer?

The fender washers are flat washers with a small hole and outside relatively large diameter. Hence this type of plain washer gives loads over a relatively larger area than flat washers.

Why do you use washers on nut bolts?

It is used to secure the tightness of a joint, screw, etc. and it becomes easy to open the nut-bolts and their threads are protected. Even if the fitted is a bit larger than the diameter of the bolt, with the washers help nut bolt can be tightened easily. Also, check out the different types of nut and bolts used in industries.

What is the best way to lock nuts and bolts?

2. Lock Washer. This form of lock washers are used to lock the nuts and bolts. These are many forms. Generally six or more leaves are extended beyond the main diameter of the lock washer. After fixing this washer its leaves are bent on the sides of the nut or bolt.

What is a spring washer?

Spring Washer. This washer is in the shape of a ring cut by spring steel. Its ends are slightly raised up and down due to spring tension. These washers are placed above or below the nut or bolt and tighten so much that both their ends face each other and becomes leveled.

What is flat plain washer?

The flat plain washers are thin, flat, and circular in shape with a hole in the center. Flat plain washer application is intended to give the load over a relatively large area and give support to small head screws. It is also known as Type A plain washers. A flat washer is what most people think of a normal washer.

What is a C washer?

C-Washer. These look like a flat washer, however, it has a slot cut from the center hole to form a “C” shape. A C-washer is made to slide in and out of place on the bolt or shaft. The C-Washer used at any time may need to be adjusted or replaced, without removing the fastener.

What Are Lock Washers?

As shown in the adjacent photo, lock washers are circular-shaped fasteners. They are available in different styles. Some of them are split. Known as split lock washers, they are cut or split open. Other lock washers have inner- or outer-facing teeth.

How Lock Washers Work

You might be wondering how lock washers work exactly? While they are available in different styles, they all work in a similar way. When installed, lock washers exert a downward force towards the surface of the object in which they are installed. This force helps to secure the bolt in the respective object so that it doesn’t loosen.

In Conclusion

Not all washers consist of a solid ring of metal. Some of them are cut or split open, whereas others have inner- or outer-facing teeth. Washers in one of these alternative styles are known as lock washers. Lock washers are designed to protect bolts from loosening. In aerospace applications, bolts are oftentimes exposed to vibrations.

How Does A Lock Washer Work

The purpose of a locking washer is to hold a nut in place, but how does it work? These unique pieces of hardware do a completely different job from a typical washer to work together. However, it is essential to use them in the correct order.

What Types of Locking Washers Are There

There are five main types of locking washers. Some are specialty pieces like the Wedge lock washers, and others are more generalist, like the spring style. The shapes vary significantly, but every one of the locking washers on the list below can help secure your screws, bolts, standard washers, and nuts in place.

When to Use Locking Washers

There are several times when a lock washer is a perfect accompaniment to your project. First, household appliances, particularly washers and dryers, tend to vibrate and move a lot. By adding tension to your nuts, they are less likely to work themselves loose.

How Not To Use Lock Washers

A locking washer can help secure most projects, even though they are more common in the transportation industries. That said, there are times when you should never use lock washers. For example, when a screw or nut doesn’t fit properly because it is too large or too small, no amount of tension will make it safe.

Final Thoughts

Choose a locking washer when you’re concerned about vibration or loose hardware. You will often see these on marine equipment because a failed screw and nut on the water could turn into a life or death situation quickly. Fortunately, while there are a million great uses for lock washers, you won’t always need them.

What is structural washer?

Structural Washers. Structural washers are ideal for heavy-duty applications. These washers are thicker than most flat washers, so they can withstand exceptionally high loads. Their build tends to mimic that of a standard flat washer. Most structural washers also include a rigid finish.

What is a metal washer?

Metal washers are thin, disk-shaped plates with a hole that distributes the load of a screw, nut, or other threaded fastener. They can be manufactured for a variety of purposes and product requirements in industrial applications.

What is a national bolt washer?

At National Bolt, we offer washers and custom non-standard fasteners manufactured from a number of materials to our customers. Many of our products feature a carbon steel base and a clear, zinc/clear, or zinc/yellow coating. Other materials such as Aluminum, Brass, Silicon Bronze and Titanium. Washers in all grades of Stainless steel can also be supplied.

What are the different types of washers?

Spring washers are a load bearing device that provides a preload between two surfaces. Other common types include flat washers, C-washers, D-shaped washers, countersunk or finishing washers, fender washers, SAE washers, torque washers, and shoulder washers.

What is a split lock washer?

Helical lock washers, also known as split lock washers, have a single coil of non-continuous flat wire filament. Each end of the coil is bent outwards towards a mating surface. When secured, the lock washer flattens while each end of the coil bites into the mating surfaces. Image Credit: J.W.Winco, Inc.

What is a standard imperial washer?

Standard imperial washers include SAE washers, for use with fine threaded nuts and bolts, and USS flat washers, for use with coarse threaded bolts and nuts. Standard metric washers are available in several gages as defined by JIS standards. Image Credit: DFW Machine.

What is the measurement of a washer?

Washers are measured and characterized by either imperial or metric design units. The dimension of washers can be specified by standard nominal values, gaged values, or may be customized for particular applications. Nominal ANSI sizes refer to the size of the fastener that the washer is designed to mate with.

What units are used for SAE washers?

They are designed using imperial units and while smaller SAE washers are defined by a gaged number, larger SAE washers are defined by imperial units. Image Credit: KAD Fasteners. Torque washers have sharp prongs that sink into the mating surface and prevent rotation of the washer.

What is flat washer?

Flat washers, also referred to as Type A plain washers, are thin, flat, and circular general-purpose washers with a centrally located hole. Standardized flat washers may be designed by the use of imperial or metric dimensions.

What is non steel washer spring?

Non-steel washer springs are typically produced to prevent corrosion. For steel washers, an abridged variety of corrosion prevention methods are listed below. Phosphatingincorporates a zinc-phosphate layer and corrosion protective oil. This is sufficient for most applications but can be abrasive.

1. Structural Washer

Structural washers are thick, strong washers used in heavy-duty building construction. For outside building applications, structural washers are typically coated or galvanized for corrosion resistance.

3. Countersunk Washer

Countersunk washers serve the same function as a flat washer, but they provide a bearing surface for flat head screws. An additional application is providing a sealing function for flat head screws.

4. Fender Washer

A fender washer is a flat washer with a larger outer diameter in proportion to its center hole. They are made from a thinner gauge metal than most flat washers and are designed to spread the load on thin sheet metal. Often used in sheet metal, plumbing, and electrical work.

5. Flat Washer

Flat washers protect surfaces by evenly distributing torque when a bolt or screw is tightened. They prevent corrosion between a steel screw and an aluminum surface. A nylon washer can be placed under a machine screw to reduce noise and abrasion and offer electrical insulation. Sealing washers are used for plumbing and hydraulic projects.

6. Sealing Washer

Sealing Washer (Plural Sealing Washers) A Rubber or Neoprene Washer, Sometimes Metal-Backed, Typically Placed on A Fastener to Prevent Water from Migrating into And Through the Fastener Hole.

7. Slotted Washer

C-washers have a slot cut from the center to the perimeter. Typically, the slot is the same width as the “center hole,” allowing the washer to be removed, replaced, or inserted without completely removing the fastener.

8. Spherical Washer

Spherical washers are designed to create an exact, parallel plane between the bolt head and the face of the nut. These washers automatically adjust and compensate for the angular deviation between the planes and prevent the bolt from bending.