Washers are essential when coupling parts using bolts and nuts. Here is the purpose of washers.

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Spacing and Alignment

Washers can be utilized as spacers. When we insert a threaded fastener into an object longer than its depth, the fastener protrudes from the rear of the object. For instance, when one tries to insert a 3-inch-deep fastener in a 2-inch-deep object, the 1-inch fastener sticks out the back of the object.

However, inserting a washer into the fastener before screwing it to the object helps prevent this protrusion. Therefore, it does this by creating padding, ensuring the fastener does not go too deep into the object. Also, washers compensate for slight variations in the spacing found between types of fasteners and parts, ensuring proper alignment.

Load Distribution

Washers assist in spreading the load more equally across a broader surface. The risk of material deformation, damage, or failure is decreased by washers because they disperse the force produced by a nut or bolt. For instance, driving a screw into a softer material could result in cracks appearing on its surface. However, with washers, there is minimal damage tendency.

Seal/Liquid Protection

Washers in this category stop water and other liquids from entering and exiting. Seal washes are frequently applied in water pipelines and connectors to make a waterproof seal. Liquid-sealing washers are constructed of a flexible material, and this material choice ensures they press completely against the object's surface.

Vibration Absorption

Vibration absorption is a feature of some washer types. Washers in this category are mainly not metals. Instead, softer materials like plastic, rubber, or urethane are used to create them. These softer materials are better at absorbing vibrations than harder elements like metal.

Additionally, vibration-dampening washers help protect coupled parts from damage. This is especially true when one of two objects connected by a threaded fastener vibrates violently.

Damage Prevention

The nut or bolt head and the surface it is fastened to are separated by washers, which serve as a protective barrier. This preserves the material's integrity and maintains the connected surfaces' visual appeal by preventing marring, scratches, dents, and other damages.

Corrosion Prevention

Washer fasteners, especially those made from corrosion-resistant materials, offer additional protection against corrosion and rust. This is crucial in locations where prolonged exposure to moisture, strong chemicals, or other elements can deteriorate the fastening system.

Manufacturers use types of washers for making and coupling parts. Below are different washers and their uses.

Plain Washers

Plain washers are the most popular kind. They disperse force and safeguard the item that the screw or nut is attached to. It also helps the screw or nut fit properly into a large hole. Plain washers in this category include:

Torque Washer

The principal uses for these washers are in the woodworking industry. When a nut is tightened, the outside prongs of the washers feature square holes that prevent the accompanying bolt from spinning.

Flat washer

Flat washers have a hole in the center and are flat or disc-shaped. They are ideal for small head screws because they spread the weight across a wider surface.

Fender washer

Fender washers are bigger and have a tiny hole in the center. They can spread out the load across a broader region. These washers are primarily used in sheet metal manufacturing, automotive fenders, and plumbing industries.

Finishing or countersunk washer

Countersunk washers in this category often create a flush finish upon securing with a flat-head countersunk screw. This ability to catch countersunk fasteners is due to its sunken top.

Shoulder washer

Shoulder washer fasteners in this category come in various materials, including PTFE, fiberglass, metal, phenolic, and nylon. These shoulder-like shaped washers often serve as insulators for screws and wires.

C-washer

A C-washer resembles a flat washer, but the primary difference is the hole cut from its center to form a C-shape. One primary advantage of this type of washer is that it is possible to adjust, remove or modify it without removing the fastener.

Spring Washers

For machinery that vibrates vigorously while operating, spring washers are ideal. They move with vibrations, thus preventing them from being loose or unfastened because of their axial flexibility, consequently increasing the joint's flexibility. There are different types of spring washers.

Belleville or Conical washer

These washers, often called conical spring washers, are employed to maintain tension during the assembly's thermal expansion and contraction. They can support large weights while deflecting only slightly.

Dome spring washer

A dome washer is renowned for having a large load capacity with minimal deflection. They also absorb excessive vibrations and flatten the surface.

In addition, they have ground curves that create a load-bearing surface that is flatter. It can be used everywhere. A crescent spring washer would be useful, although flattening the surface is also necessary.

Wave spring washer

Wave spring washers are curved in two directions and are typically employed as cushions or spacers. They can support a moderate amount of weight and guard against excessive wear on the surface.

Finger spring washer

Made using carbon steel, finger spring steel washers comprise three curved flanges. They help lessen vibration, skidding wear, additional wear, dampening, and noise on rotating parts.

Carbon steel is commonly used to make finger spring washers. They blend the wave washer's predetermined load spots with the casing washer's flexibility.

Crescent spring washer

The crescent spring washer, also called curved spring washer, has a somewhat curved appearance that gives them a lighter pressure while maintaining flexibility. They have an extensive deflection range and can withstand extremely light loads.

These washers have linear load-deflection characteristics and offer uniform spring rates throughout the deflection range.

Lock Washers

Lock washers are designed to help prevent the screws and nuts from rotating toward their loosening position. Consequently, this preserves them even during intense vibrations produced by the machine or equipment's operation. In other words, they hold the fasteners that tend to loosen due to friction in place. The different types of lock washers include:

Split lock washer

The split lock washer, commonly called a helical washer, is used to secure fasteners. They are non-continuous rings bent inward and outward in opposing directions. When this fastener is used to secure the bent, both ends of the bent flatten out and dig into the mating surface.

External tooth lock washer

External tooth lock washers employ a teeth-structural action to keep the nut or screw head from coming undone. They function better with screws that have a larger head. The numerous teeth on their outer diameter bite into the surface to produce exceptional compression resistance, consequently ensuring they provide the highest level of torsional resistance.

Internal tooth lock washer

On the inside diameter of the internal tooth locker are many teeth that prevent the bolt or nut head from loosening. They serve to dampen noise and shock while locking shallow-head fasteners into position.

Specialized Washers

Specialized washers do not fall expressly into any of the above categories. Here is their information.

Keps nut

Also referred to as K-lock nuts, these washers with built-in washers facilitate spinning. The assembly functions more efficiently, thanks to the nuts.

Top hat washers

These washers are perfect to utilize while repairing or installing a tap because they are typically used in plumbing applications.

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Keyed washers

Typically used between bolts to prevent them from spinning, these washers are placed keyed washers typically find application in the automotive industry. These washers have an internal tab that prevents the automobile shaft from rotating. They also find use in chassis parts and cylinder heads.

Insulating shoulder washer

Insulating shoulder washers are often made from nylon, peek, plastic, and other insulating materials. The best use for these washers is in the electrical sector, where they help isolate mounting screws from electrical current.

Gaskets

Gaskets, also known as O-rings, and made of rubber, come in different shapes and sizes depending on the purpose. It is a mechanical seal that fills the space between two or more surfaces in contact to prevent leaks and spills. In the automotive sector, their primary use is to slam shut oil and gas connectors and stop leaks.

Aside from rubber, gaskets can be made from light metals, such as aluminum, and other metals. These washers maintain a tight seal regardless of pressure and temperature, preventing gases and liquids from escaping.

Types of Washers

Last updated December 7,

A washer is a circular piece of hardware that evenly distributes the force of a screw or nut. Washers can relieve friction and prevent corrosion or leakage. They can help maintain tension or serve as a spacer. This wide range of applications makes washer a necessity in most construction projects. However, choosing the right type of washer for a project can be more complicated than it seems. This guide will cover the types of washers and their recommended purposes.

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Table of Contents

1. Washer Materials and Types

2. Plain Washers

3. Spring Washers

4. Lock Washers

Washer Materials and Types

Washers are made from a variety of materials. The most common is stainless steel. Stainless steel will not rust or corrode.
Other metal washers include aluminum, copper, brass and iron. Specialty washers include plastic washers, rubber washers, ceramic washers and phenolic washers.

The three main types of washers are plain washers, spring washers and lock washers. Specialized washers exist within these categories that serve unique purposes.

Tip: Washers (as well as nuts) are sized in both U.S. and metric measurements.

Plain Washers

Also called flat washers, plain washers are the most common type of washers. They
distribute pressure and protect the object to which the screw or nut is fastened.
If a hole is too big for the fastener, a plain washer can be used to correct the size difference.

Flat Washer:

• Also known as Type A plain washers. The flat washer is
  what most people picture when thinking of a typical washer. They are circular and flat with a central hole to accommodate a bolt.
  Flat washer come in varying thicknesses.
• Application:
  Used to distribute force or correct a hole size. Good for general use.

Fender Washer:

• Named for their common use on car fenders. Fender washers are flat washers with a small hole and comparatively large outside diameter.
• Application: Used to distribute
  force over a large surface area, usually thin metal.

Torque Washer:

• A torque washer has a square hole and outer prongs that prevent its accompanying bolt from spinning
  while a fastening a nut.
• Application: Used with a carriage bolt for woodworking projects.

C-Washer:

• Resembles a flat washer, but it has a slot cut from the center hole to form a 'C' shape.
• Application: Used any time a washer might need to be removed, adjusted or replaced without removing the fastener.

Finishing Washer:

• Also known as a countersunk washer. A finishing washer has a sunken top designed to catch the fastener.
• Application: Creates a flush surface when secured with countersunk screws.

Spring Washers

Spring washers have
axial flexibility
that allows them to move with vibrations. Their flexibility keeps them from getting loose or coming unfastened due to those vibrations. They increase the elastic properties of a joint.

Belleville Washer:

• Sometimes called a conical spring washer. The Belleville washer
  has beveled sides that support heavy force with small deflections.
• Application: Used for projects that involve thermal expansion.

Crescent
Spring
Washer:

• Also called curved spring washers. Crescent washers look like flat washers that have been slightly curved to
  exert light pressure and maintain flexibility.
• Application: Used to absorb movement.

Dome
Spring
Washer:

• Dome
  spring
  washers look like
  Belleville
  washers but have rounded sides.
• Application: Used wherever you
  would use a crescent
  spring
  washer but also need to create a flatter surface.

Finger
Spring
Washer:

• Finger spring washers have three curved flanges.
• Application: Used for dampening vibrations and noise.

Wave Spring Washer:

• Wave spring washers are curved in two directions, creating a wave-like shape.
• Application: Used most often as cushions or spacers.

Lock Washers

Lock washers secure fasteners that might otherwise rotate or lose friction.

Split Lock Washer:

• Sometimes called helical washers. Split lock washers
  are non-continuous rings that have each end bent slightly outward in opposite directions. Split lock washers flatten when they're secured. Each end digs into the mating surfaces.
• Application: Used to lock a fastener into place.

External Tooth Lock Washer:

• An internal tooth lock washer has several teeth on the inside diameter that bite into the fastener.
• Application: Used to lock shallow-headed fasteners into place and absorb shock and vibrations.

Internal Tooth Lock Washer:

• An internal tooth lock washer has several teeth on the inside diameter that bite into the fastener.
• Application: Used to lock shallow-headed fasteners into place
  and absorb shock and vibrations.

Different types of washers are suitable for different jobs. As you choose between them, consider the washer's applications and the type of nut or other fastener that will be used.

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