Spring washers are tiny pieces of metals that are designed to do big jobs. They are round in shape with a hole in the middle. They are meant to be used with fasteners to spread their load onto a wider surface and prevent them from loosening.
The steel washers are placed between the bolt head/nut and the mating surface to create axial flexibility. They are used in almost every industry ranging from building & construction to automotive and aerospace. They are designed to perform big jobs.
Steel washer manufacturers offer these washers in a number of specifications to meet every industry's needs. You can pick from the vast range of spring washers and meet specific production requirements seamlessly.
PURPOSE OF SPRING WASHERS
Load Distribution
The main purpose of spring washers is to distribute a load of fasteners over to a larger surface. The fasteners create stress when they are driven into the material's surface. Using a washer between the surface and the fastener reduces the stress, protecting wear & tear. This reduces the risk of damages to a greater extent.
Absorb Vibrations
Spring washers are available in diverse specifications that define their vibration absorbing capabilities. They are also known as vibration dampening washers and vibration-isolating washers. Materials like plastic, rubber, and urethane are usually used in their making. They are perfect for machines producing solid vibrations.
Spacing
Washers act as spacers between mating surfaces and fasteners. It ensures that the fasteners do not drive into the surface by creating padding between them and diving the force onto a large surface.
Liquid Protection
You can easily find a category of washers that prevent the ingress of fluids. Such washers serve their purpose in the chemical industry or water pipelines to create a tight, intact, and leakage-proof seal. The liquid-sealing washers are made from soft materials that allow their complete pressing against the object's surface. The washers are durable.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPRING WASHERS
Belleville or conical
These washers support the high load with small deflection. They can withstand heat and temperature conditions. Also, the washers are good to use in assemblies with thermal expansion and contraction situations. The washers are cone-shaped, and their size and thickness determine their deflection ability.
Crescent or curved
The crescent or curved washers are known for supporting small loads and offer a broad deflection range. They are a little curved, which delivers a uniform spring rate within their broad deflection capacity. They are best suitable for load-cycling applications.
Dome spring washers
The dome-shaped washers are highly likely to dampen the noise, vibrations, and wear of assemblies. The curves support high load capacity with a small deflection range.
Finger spring washers
Usually made from carbon steel, these washers are mainly used to reduce vibrations and noise within assemblies. They are most suitable for preloading ball bearings and other applications and facilitate efficiency in operations.
Wave spring washers
Wave spring washers, a.k.a. cushion spring washers, possess a moderate load-bearing ability and a small deflection range. They absorb noise and vibrations. The washers also prevent fatigue and loosening.
Conclusion
Spring washers serve their purpose in every industry. Their availability in diverse sizes, shapes, and types ensures that every manufacturer can ensure efficiency and safety in their production unit.
We hope that the article has provided you with clarity about different types of spring washers and their purpose. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section.