Talk:Washer (hardware)

Aren't belleville washers lock washers too? I added Fender washer, but I'm not quite sure how to define it. Ortolan88 00:10, 22 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Yes, belleville washers are somtimes used as locking devices. But only in joints with low dynamic loads. A proper pre-load (or clamp-load) is one way to keep a bolted joint from coming loose, but belleville washers usually have lower pre-loads than bolts (1/4" grade 8 capscrew will have a pre-load of about 2800 lbf, and belleville washers for 1/4" hardware might have a compressed load of 50-1000 lbf).

Bellevilles are also used as pure springs. One example is a live load joint, where flexibility is designed in. In this case bellevilles are springs, maintaing a pre-load, but not working as the locking mechanism.

Another example is a joint that experiences a lot of thermal expansion and contraction. A belleville may supply the designed pre-load, but the bolt may have an additional locking mechanism (loctite, for example) that would fail without the belleville.

A fender washer is a flat washer with an oversized O.D. This type of washer distributes the capscrew's clamp-load over a greater area.

209.102.125.87 01:47, 22 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Tab-washers and cup-washers are also used for lock washers, but usually need modification of the part and sometimes the fastener. —Dmc6006 20:08, 22 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Just for the record, I knew what a fender washer was, I just didn't know what to say about it. I suppose the name is simple, "that which fends, or protects". Ortolan88 20:18, 22 Aug 2004 (UTC)

There is acommon British name for fender washers that I've heard but have forgotten, anyone know?? Pud 00:20, 23 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Mudwing washer ? Penny washer ? 213.41.173.68 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 08:10, 13 October 2010 (UTC).[reply]

More detailed description needed

It would be useful to have an explanation of which circumstances, for instance, a washer is not needed.

I'd suggest adding pictures of washers in use. Incredibly, this page does not have even one such picture. Hardware dufuses such as myself want to know which side of the connection the washer goes on (without having to guess). - 24.17.218.38 (talk) 20:21, 30 October 2010 (UTC)ATBS[reply]

I'd also like to see an explanation of what a lock washer is... it's not evident!

(And perhaps an explanation of when to use just a lockwasher, and when to use a lockwasher and a normal flat washer as well?) Jo5n 07:22, 12 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Also, why are they called washers? Were they once used to wash things or something? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.35.250.121 (talk) 04:05, 8 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Phenolic?

Phenolic is not a type of washer; it's a material. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.160.170.31 (talk) 10:48, August 23, 2007 (UTC)

Split washers, locks etc

Firstly split washers are used as springs in rail fasteners -that's millions (or hundreds of thousands) of devices, also a split washer doesn't act as a lock (very well) without special designed bolt and fixing .. I get the point about friction etc - but it's not a true locking spring.

Also the Belleville washer is definately a see also, not a main link - there are other types. Probably the article needs extra work rather than juggling.Sf5xeplus (talk) 18:13, 20 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I could be confusing usage .. I wasn't aware that smaller spring washers are often sold as lock washers.. I'm more familiar with real ratcheting springs.

Could do with some references , these [1] [2] are amusingly dismissive of spring washers as lock washers . But it does depend on the application a lot.Sf5xeplus (talk) 18:35, 20 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Is anyone up for seeking out some engineering research on the effectiveness of lock washers? The opinion of the one author referenced doesn't seem to carry as much weight as an industry that consistently uses locking washers (spring or otherwise). Looking at the two refs Sf5xeplus quotes, the argument presented against locking washers is more an appeal to common sense (and perhaps the authors experiences, though he doesn't actually claim that) rather than engineering principles backed up by tests and experiments.. Drevicko (talk) 03:49, 28 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, I was going to use the latter as a ref for this article. I have always seen split washers listed as lock washer; in addition to the above ref, see [3]. Please elaborate on their use in rail fasteners, because I'm unfamiliar with that. Wizard191 (talk) 20:22, 20 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Actually I think I mis-remembered about rail-fasteners - what I was thinking about are actually flat profile helical springs, not washers, because they're more than one turn. My mistake.

If I get chance I'll expand the article later if someone else doesn't. They way I'd do it it to have a section for each washer type and say if they are used for springing, and or locking, rather than trying to put (spring lock washers) in one of the two sections.Sf5xeplus (talk) 18:35, 21 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I;ve added some more refs, and split those which are grommets. I also changed the formatting to using bold for washer types, rather than having lots of little sections... Please improve.87.102.36.105 (talk) 21:12, 21 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Toothed washers

Removal [4], See below:

This maintains tension and opposes any loosening influence on the fastener. The flexed teeth absorb shock, vibration and slipping. ''Internal tooth washers'' have the teeth pointing inward. They are used when the finished appearance requires that the teeth be hidden under the head of the screw, or to avoid the teeth scratching or snagging. Also used with screws with smaller heads.<ref>{{cite web |title=Specifications for Internal Tooth Lock Washers ASME B18.21.1-1999 |url=http://www.aspenfasteners.com/v/vspfiles/files/docs/internal_tooth_lockwasher_specification.pdf}}</ref> ''External tooth washers'' have teeth pointing radially outward. They are used when finished appearance is less crucial as it provides the greatest torsional resistance and therefore locking efficiency because the teeth are on the largest radius.<ref>{{cite web |title=Specifications for External Tooth Lock Washers ASME B18.21.1-1999 |url=http://www.aspenfasteners.com/v/vspfiles/files/docs/external_tooth_lockwasher_specification.pdf}}</ref> ''Combination tooth washers'' have teeth on both sides. They are used when a larger bearing surface is required. It is also often used when there is an over-sized hole.<ref>{{cite web |title=Specifications for Internal/External Tooth Lock Washers ASME B18.21.1-1999 |url=http://www.aspenfasteners.com/v/vspfiles/files/docs/internal_external_tooth_lockwasher_specification.pdf}}</ref> ''Countersunk external tooth washers'' are used with Flat Countersunk or Oval Countersunk Screws with angles of 82 or 100 degrees.<ref>{{cite web |title=Specifications for Countersunk External Tooth Lock Washers ASME B18.21.1-1999 |url=http://www.aspenfasteners.com/v/vspfiles/files/docs/countersunk_external_tooth_lockwasher_specification.pdf}}</ref>

These are too close to, or are copied from the references. Can't use as is.Sf5xeplus (talk) 16:38, 13 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the heads up. I reworded it to fix the copyvio problem. Wizard191 (talk) 16:41, 19 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Why are washers called washers?

Why are washers called washers? --78.52.160.147 (talk) 18:23, 15 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I added a short blurb about it in the lead. Wizard191 (talk) 20:40, 15 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Other types

Square washers up to 70mm or so, are often used in masonry work. Tapered washers are commonly used in conjunction with structural steel beams, to match the taper of the flanges of the beams. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Suma rongi (talk • contribs) 07:05, 27 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]