Your result

Locking ability

Not applicable

Reusability

4 out of 5

Worker safety

4 out of 5

Initial cost

low

Lifetime cost

high

How did we calculate?

Are plain washers effective
against bolt loosening?

Plain washers, also known as flat washers, are the most common type of washer. Plain washers do not have a locking function, rather they are used to protect the mating surface from damage. They do this by increasing the surface area in order to help distribute the load, in particular on soft materials or over large or slotted holes. Plain washers are installed between the bolt head/nut and the mating surface. The bolted joint is then tightened in the same way as an unsecured bolt.

Scroll down to access the eBook "Why do bolts loosen?"
(A comparison between common bolt securing options)

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

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DO YOU EXPERIENCE BOLT LOOSENING? PLAIN WASHERS HAVE NO LOCKING FUNCTION!

The biggest challenge for a bolted joint, causing it to lose preload and fail, is spontaneous loosening often caused by vibrationsThis Junker test shows all 5 nuts rotated loose! A steep decline in the graph indicates a failure. Read more about the Junker Test.

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Do you need guidance choosing the best bolt securing solution for your application? Let our bolting experts guide you.

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