Functions of Flat Washers and Spring Washers
1. Increase contact area and distribute pressure
Concentrated pressure occurs when tightening screws. Plain washers expand the contact surface to prevent indentations and scratches on workpieces caused by nuts. They are mandatory for thin plates, aluminum parts and plastic components.
2. Fill gaps and level surfaces
Plain washers cover oversized holes that are wider than screw rods. They also level uneven mating surfaces for tighter fitting.
3. Isolate materials for insulation and corrosion prevention
Contact between dissimilar metals (steel & aluminum, steel & copper) leads to galvanic corrosion, which can be avoided by separating metals with plain washers. Stainless steel plain washers additionally resist rust.
4. Auxiliary sealing
Used with flanges and thin plates to block gaps and reduce water and air leakage.
II. Functions of Spring Lock Washers
Core function: Anti-loosening and anti-backoff
1. When tightened and flattened, spring washers exert constant outward elastic force against nuts and workpieces to generate friction, stopping nuts from loosening automatically under equipment vibration.
2. The split sharp edges bite into nuts and workpieces to achieve double locking. They are standard fittings for vibrating parts of motors, machine tools, vehicles and fans.
Limitations of Spring Lock Washers
• Spring lock washers shall not be used alone on soft materials under heavy compression (aluminum plates, plastics), as their sharp edges will damage the workpieces.
• Spring lock washers are generally not adopted for high-pressure sealing flanges, since elastic force will cause poor sealing and leakage.
III. Combined Application (Most Common Assembly: Bolt + Plain Washer + Spring Lock Washer)
1. The spring lock washer prevents loosening, while the plain washer protects the workpiece from damage by the sharp edges of the spring lock washer.
2. This combination is the standard fitting for vibrating machinery, pipeline supports and equipment housings.
IV. Classification of Application Scenarios
Only Plain Washers
Flange sealing, stainless steel equipment, thin aluminum plates, smooth painted surfaces, static environments with no vibration, pressure vessels.
Only Spring Lock Washers (Rare, Not Recommended)
Thick steel plates, simple fixing where surface scratches are acceptable. Long-term vibration will damage base materials.
Plain Washer + Spring Lock Washer Used Together
Locations with continuous vibration, including machine tools, construction machinery, wind turbines, carriage bodies, valve supports and outdoor steel structures.
Industry Terminology Reference
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