Your result

Locking ability

3 out of 5

Reusability

1 out of 5

Worker safety

4 out of 5

Initial cost

Medium

Lifetime cost

Medium

How did we calculate?

Are serrated washers effective
against bolt loosening?

Serrated lock washers increase the friction between the bolt head/nut and the mating surface. They do this by gripping into the mating surfaces. Serrated lock 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. If the bolted joint experiences a loss of tension, the washer is no longer effective and must be replaced.

Single part serrated washers can damage painted/coated surfaces because they have a tendency to rotate with the fastener. This risks damaging the surface, cracking the paint/coating and causing corrosion.  

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

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SPEND A LOT OF TIME CHECKING YOUR BOLTS AND NUTS ARE STILL TIGHT?

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.

Talk about bolting challenges with us!

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

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