Your result
Locking ability |
Not Applicable |
Reusability |
1 out of 5 |
Worker safety |
4 out of 5 |
Initial cost |
Medium |
Lifetime cost |
High |
Spring washer
What is a spring washer, and how effective are they against bolt loosening?
Are disc spring washers effective
against bolt loosening?
Spring washers, also called disc springs or conical washers, use spring loads to create axial flexibility. This counteracts settlements and maintains an initial level of preload.
The washers are installed between the bolt head/nut and the mating surface. Spring washers mechanical capabilities rely on the shape of the material. When subject to load, the washer undergoes elastic deformation, and then returns to the pre-deflected shape. They can be stacked, so deflection and load capacity can vary without materially affecting the forces. The forces created by the washers can differ depending on the thickness of the material, curve and size - meaning that the operator can customize the spring loads used.
Read the full version in the eBook "Why do bolts loosen?"
(A comparison between common bolt securing options)
Scroll down to access the ebook.
Which bolt locking product should I use?
- Pros & Cons of different bolt locking methods
- A Guidance for Selection, to help you decide which product to use in your applications
Get the free eBook
ARE YOU STILL EXPERIENCING BOLT LOOSENING?
The biggest challenge for a bolted joint, causing it to lose preload and fail, is spontaneous loosening often caused by vibrations. This Junker test shows all 5 nuts rotated loose! A steep decline in the graph indicates a failure. Read more about the Junker Test.
