What are the Different Uses for Screw Washers?

Look around at the different mechanical objects and appliances in your home and place of business. They may be made of various materials, but one thing they have in common is that their different components are likely to be connected in the same manner. The screw and screw washer have been connecting things reliably and securely for hundreds of years.

Metal screws first came into widespread use in the 15th century. They served to increase the bearing surface around the fastener to prevent the material from becoming warped from the force exerted by the screw. As the applications and materials using screws as fasteners increased, improvements to the washer’s design made them more effective in the many specialized roles created for them.

Today, flat, tooth lock, helical spring, shoulder, cup, and retaining washers are the most common washers. They serve a number of different uses that make them a valuable component in manufacturing.

Flat washers are basic circular washers. They were the first washers to be designed and are made to spread out the bearing load when used to fasten two softer materials together.

Tooth lock washers feature serrations or small teeth around the washer that add extra holding power when used between the base of the screw and flat material. These are valuable in applications where the head of the screw encounters regular accidental contact that might loosen the screw if not for the lock washer.

Helical spring washers serve much the same role as tooth lock washers but are cheaper to manufacture. The washer is sliced and bent during manufacturing. The extra grip provided by this bend acts as a spring against the surface material and the bottom of the screw. The edge of the slice also provides holding power. These are regularly used in applications where vibration might cause the fastener to loosen.

Shoulder washers are used in many electrical applications as non-conductive bushings. The screw fits inside the washer, which is made of a non-conductive material like nylon. The long shaft prevents the metal screw from contacting the metal it’s fastened to.

Cup washers are also used in electrical applications and to provide an anti-tampering feature. They are made in the shape of a cup with a hole in the bottom. The shaft of the screw fits through the hole, and the head of the screw fits snugly inside the well of the cup. When made of a non-conductive material, they're effective at insulating the metallic screw from the material it's screwed into. The cup washer also deters anyone from removing the screw.

These are just the most common types of screw washers. Today’s manufacturers also create many other different types of screw and washer sets for every application.

Using Washers Effectively

Using washers effectively means matching the washer not only to the screw but also to the application it's used for. The screw and washer must have matching diameters that provide a tight fit when they're both sandwiched between a material. This close fit ensures the screw's application point can't be widened and loosened when the component is under movement and stress.

If the component or material is plainly visible or serves an aesthetic purpose, attention to the finish of the screw and washer must be made to ensure they both match. This attention also extends to the type of metal they are both made from. For instance, using a soft aluminum screw and pairing it with a solid steel washer on an aluminum casing causes an imbalance in strength. The hard steel washer can resist both the torque of the softer screw and the soft casing until one or both warp or fail.

Manufacturers make matching sets of screws and washers to counteract any chance of failure. The sets also help workers operate efficiently and save time in assembling workpieces that can be used immediately in production. These sets come with many types of washers in many different materials. Requesting these screw sets makes logical sense when the fasteners you use may be responsible for the success of your entire project. Quality screw sets and other fasteners help avoid any unnecessary points of failure.

Nejireo is a Leading Fastener Company in Thailand

For mechanical projects requiring state-of-the-art, well-designed and manufactured fasteners, look to Nejireo as your leading supplier in Thailand.

Engineers and mechanics should get to know the variety of quality products available from Nejireo and use this knowledge to design and build their projects with greater efficiency and strength. There is no minimum order quantity for purchasing our products. Our fasteners are available for ordering directly from our website and can be delivered anywhere in Thailand.