Mechanical Products Parts:
Hardware Washers
Washers, used alongside fastening systems, are essential components in most assemblies. These small parts, typically made from materials such as carbon steel and stainless steel, serve as seals or spacers. Additionally, they function as liquid protectors and vibration absorbers.
Purpose of a Washer at a Glance:
- Distributes the load of a threaded fastener to prevent damage to the material being fastened
- Prevents the fastener from moving or corroding
- Absorbs vibrations
- Can act as a spacer
- Enhances the lifespan of the application
Washers are thin plates with a central hole, typically used to distribute the load of a fastener like a bolt, nut, or rivet. They provide a bearing surface and spread the fastener load over a wider area. IBS Electronics also offers popular grab bags containing 500 assorted screws, nuts, and washers made from plastic, steel, brass, and aluminum.
A washer is a circular piece of hardware that evenly distributes the force of a screw or nut, alleviates friction, and prevents corrosion or leakage. Washers help maintain tension and can serve as spacers. Their wide range of applications makes them essential in most construction projects. However, selecting the right washer for a specific project can be complex. This guide will cover the types of washers and their recommended purposes.
Washers are made from various materials, with stainless steel being the most common due to its resistance to rust and corrosion. Other metal washers include aluminum, copper, brass, and iron. There are also specialty washers made from plastic, rubber, ceramic, and phenolic materials.
Main Types of Washers:
- Plain Washers
- Spring Washers
- Lock Washers
Each type serves to distribute the fastener’s load while reducing heat and friction during tightening. They can also function as spacers, commonly used in both industrial and domestic applications.
Plain Washers:
- Flat Washers
- Fender Washers
- Torque Washers
- C-Washers
- Countersunk Washers
Lock Washers:
The purpose of a lock washer is to prevent the fastener from rotating or losing friction due to vibration or torque. Various types of lock washers achieve this by holding the nut and bolt in place, often biting into them with their ends. Lock washers are favored in the transportation industry, including automotive and aerospace, as well as in household appliances like washing machines.
- Split Lock Washers
- External Tooth Lock Washers
- Internal Tooth Lock Washers
Spring Washers:
Often considered a subset of lock washers, spring washers provide axial load to fasteners to limit movement due to vibration or thermal expansion. They are ideal for applications requiring flexibility, such as actuators in airplane flight controls and landing gear.
- Belleville Washers
- Crescent Spring Washers
- Dome Spring Washers
- Finger Spring Washers
- Wave Spring Washers
Additional Types of Washers
While many washers fit into the main categories of plain, lock, and spring washers, several additional types serve specific purposes:
- Backup Rivet Washers: These washers create larger installation diameters, providing rivets with more support and better hold, and preventing rivet pull-through.
- Dock Washers: Thick and heavy-duty, these washers are used in docks and other construction projects requiring strong washers. They feature a small inner hole and a large surface area, similar to fender washers.
- Fender Washers: These round washers offer a greater load-bearing surface under the fastener, preventing pull-through. Their inner hole has a much smaller diameter relative to their total surface area.
- Flat Washers: These are round, thin plates with a center hole sized to fit the fastener. They distribute the load of threaded fasteners like nuts, bolts, and screws evenly during tightening.
- NAS Washers: Characterized by small inner and outer diameters, these washers often appear in military and construction equipment due to their ability to conform to strict measurement specifications.
- Structural Washers: Thick washers used in heavy-duty applications such as construction projects, often employed with steel beams and girder fastener assemblies.
- Square Washers: These washers can be flat on both sides or beveled on one side and flat on the other. They are used to prevent pull-through with square head bolts, providing a larger surface area and stronger hold than standard flat washers.
Washer or Spacer?
Washers can effectively function as spacers, positioning different components and preventing bolt heads from contacting the surface material when tightened. The primary difference between washers and spacers lies in their thickness and height, although they can appear similar. A spacer might look like a thick washer, and a washer can resemble a short spacer.