Lock Washers

Custom Washers Manufacturer

Heatfastener

Lock Washers Manufacturers

Heatfastener carries a wide variety of lock washers. we can supply the washers you are looking for. If you are looking for a washer that is not off the shelf, we can make washers specifically to the dimensions, material, and plating that you need. We can supply washers as small as 0.062 inside diameter all the way to 12”.  If you are looking for a thin washer (0.002” thick) to a thicker washer, 1/2” thick, we can supply it. We can also supply the plating you need, from common zinc, and zinc/yellow to Magni coatings. Heatfastener can do special washers in many materials, from steel, to harden steel, brass, plastic, various grades of stainless steel, exotic materials such as Inconel, silicon bronze, and many more.

Though they can seem like such a little thing, washers can play a significant role in any application. At Heatfastener Manufacturing, we manufacture custom washers for any industry—whether it’s aerospace, agriculture, automotive, or more. When you are needing washers for a project, consider using lock washers, like the ones we offer.

Lock washer

Lock Washer Specification

Split lock washers and toothed bearing lock washers are designed to reduce the loosening of bolts and screws from their mating assembly. The spring tension of these washers prevents loosening by creating pressure against a fastener’s threads and its mating part. Split lock washers are helically split rings whose open ends dig into their partnering fastener and join material to reduce counterclockwise rotation. Bearing lock washers, or toothed washers are available with either internal or external teeth, also called tangs. When a screw or bolt is tightened down onto these washers, the tangs “bite” into the fastened material with moderate spring resistance against the fastener reducing the likelihood of loosening caused by vibrations., but lock washers are designed to maintain a secure connection.  

  • Lock washers are made to be tightened up to a required torque below a common fastener. They exert a spring tension that maintains the bolt from vibrating loosened. They are typically connected to the nut side of the bolt.
  • Lock washers are made from stainless steel, galvanized steel, zinc-plated steel as well as silicone bronze.
  • Lock washer use often entails transport, such as auto, aircraft, or marine applications that see relentless vibration.

Lock washer stainless steel
Lock washer ss

Types Of Lock Washers

Lock washers are available in two basic types: spring action or split washers and tooth washers. 

  • Split lock washers are helical-shaped split rings. When fastened, the two ends exert a spring force on the fastener to create increased friction and resistance to motion. Helical spring lock washers are the most common form of the lock washer and are best suited to applications with smaller loads. High-collar lock washers are a kind of split washer. 
  • Internal lock washers have teeth made to bite into the nut/screw head and surface it contacts. They work best on small screws or screws used in electrical grounding. 
  • External Lock washers(also called star washers) have teeth made to bite into the bearing surface. An external tooth lock washer is designed to provide stronger holds than internal-tooth washers as the teeth bite into a larger radius, and are best suited to large screws. 
  • A tooth lock washer can leave scratches on its attaching surfaces. 
  • In addition, a tab washer is designed for harsh environments and has a tab that can be bent against the nut or fastener head to hold it in place.

Flat vs Lock Washers

The most common type of washer is a flat washer. They receive their namesake from flat design. Flat washers aren’t curved, nor do they protrude. Rather, they are completely flat on both sides. This flat design makes them highly effective at distributing loads. Without a washer, the compressive forces of a bolt will be applied to the underside of the bolt’s head. A flat washer absorbs these compressive forces while subsequently distributing them more evenly.

Also known as a split washer, a lock washer is a special type of washer that’s designed to create tension so that the bolt doesn’t loosen or otherwise come out of its installed position. Lock washers aren’t flat. They feature a semi-coiled design that gradually rises. This design allows lock washers to create tension when installed. Lock washers work by preventing the rotational movement of the installed bolt. Nuts are often used for this purpose as well. When placed on the end of a bolt, a nut can protect it from loosening. The problem with nuts is that they are susceptible to vibrations. When exposed to vibrations, a nut may loosen. If a nut loosens too much, it may fail to secure the bolt in the workpiece’s threaded hole. With a lock washer, however, the bolt won’t come out. A lock washer will “lock” the bolt in the workpiece’s threaded hole.

Lock washer stainless steel

Lock Washer Sizes Chart

Size4#6#8#10#12#1/416#5/163/87/161/2
dmax0.1230.150.1770.2050.2310.2670.2870.3330.3980.4630.529
min0.1130.140.1670.1950.220.2550.2730.3180.3830.4480.512
dcRef.0.2130.2890.3220.3540.4210.4540.5050.5990.7650.8670.976
hmax0.0190.0210.0210.0250.0250.0250.0280.0280.0340.0450.045
min0.0150.0170.0170.020.020.020.0230.0230.0280.0370.037
Hmax0.0650.0920.0990.1050.1280.1280.1470.1920.2550.270.304
min0.050.0820.0830.0880.1180.1130.1370.1650.2420.260.294
Lock washer sizes

We provide all kinds of custom lock washers including inches and metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions

Lock washers are needed when the fastener assembly is subject to vibration or wherever back off is considered an issue. When should I use washers with bolts? Always use a washer between the installation material and the nut.


Flat washers are used to increase the surface area in order to more evenly distribute the force applied with tightening the fastener. Lock washers are used as a means of creating tension during tightening in order to help keep the nut from working loose later.


In general, I use a flat washer under a split locking washer to protect the base material, plating, or coating from damage caused by the split washer action. I may also use the flat washer to distribute the fastener load or ensure the split washer does not fall or grind into a larger clearance hole feature

An alternative to using a lock or vibration-resistant washer is to use thread-locker or a lock nut. Lock nuts may either use friction, such as a nyloc, distorted thread or jam nut, or they may use positive lockings, such as a castellated or slotted nut

Split washers can prevent bolts from loosening due to vibrations. As a machine or piece of equipment vibrates, the split washer will push back into it. Split washers are ideal for applications involving vibrations because they prevent the bolts with which they are used from loosening.

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