4 Factors To Consider When Choosing Industrial Washers For Your Application

9 April 2021
 Categories: Industrial & Manufacturing, Blog

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Inherently, washers aren't fascinating to most people. But even with their trivial size, these components play a significant role in most devices with moving parts. These disc-shaped components featuring a center hole are commonly used alongside nuts and bolts. They help with even load distribution, preventing damage to your workpieces when fastening with bolts. Washers are also crucial for many other functions, including sealing, locking, insulation, part alignment, and load distribution.

There are different types of washers you can use today, including flat, lock, spring, and shoulder washers. All of them serve various purposes, and that's the reason why you must choose the ideal one for optimal performance. Failing to use the right washer can result in equipment downtime and profitability losses.

When looking to find the most suitable industrial washers for your specific application, pay attention to these essential factors.

Liquid Protection

Some industrial washers are created to inhibit the penetration of liquid substances in an application. Mostly, you can find them in plumbing systems since they act as waterproofing seals. Additionally, these types are often designed from soft materials, which press firmly against target surfaces.

Washer Materials

Washers come in different types of materials, both metallic and non-metallic. They may include stainless steel, copper, aluminum, rubber, and much more. Selecting the ideal material is crucial since certain applications demand specific washer materials to function optimally. For instance, if you intend to use a washer in high-impact loading, you must pay attention to the strength and durability of the materials utilized. In this case, high-alloy spring steel may be preferable.

Vibration Cushioning

Vibration-absorbing washers are typically non-metallic and are specifically made with the intention of absorbing vibrations. Materials like rubber are excellent vibration absorbers compared to more rigid materials like steel. Damping washers help protect one object from the vibration-causing object during fastening.

Load Distribution

This factor applies to almost every washer for a particular threaded fastener used. Generally, a threaded fastener will apply stress to the materials they are driven into or during tightening. For instance, screwing a bolt into a piece of timber may cause it to crack. However, washers help minimize the material by distributing the bolt's load along the material's surface. While not all applications will require washers, soft materials, such as wood, can benefit most from washers that offer protection from stress-based deterioration.

Understanding these four crucial factors will help you find the perfect industrial washers that fit your application's requirements for optimal performance. However, you could benefit even more from an experienced industry professional's advice when planning to purchase any washer.

To learn more, contact a resource that carries industrial washers.