A washer is used to lock two nuts in a place, without allowing the torque applied to the top nut to cause the bottom nut to rotate. Washers have two basic purposes:
- To distribute pressure of the nut evenly over the surface to prevent damage on the surface
- To ensure that the nut is pressed against a smooth surface, reducing the chance of it from gradually loosening because of an uneven surface
If you’ve been using Belleville washers, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will discuss how you can preserve the life of Belleville washers.
Types of Washers
Not all washers are created equal. There are different types of washers available in the market that cater to varying purposes. Here are the three basic types of washers:
- Plain washer: This type of washer prevents damage to the surface being fixed.
- Spring washer: This has axial flexibility and is used to prevent loosening due to vibrations.
- Locking washer: This kind of washer prevents fastening or loosening by preventing an unscrewing rotation.
Belleville Washer
Amidst the various kinds of washers in the market, Belleville washers come out as one of the best-designed products in terms of performance and durability.
The Belleville washer is a disk spring that applies pressure to the connection as soon as it receives the right amount of force. This applies a clamping pressure with a continuous pattern, unlike ordinary split-ring lockwashers. This kind of washer is perfect when assembling a bus bar because you can use the Belleville washer on both ends.
These washers are best for accommodating thermal cycling although there is a need to check if they’re fastened correctly. In terms of choosing the right Belleville washer, you need to choose the right design and size.
Tips to make Belleville washers last longer
To be able to determine the right kind of Belleville washer to use, these are the factors that you need to consider:
Torque
Bolts differ in hardness, material configuration and diameter, and may require varying amounts of torque to be able to fully tighten the nut. To ensure that the bolt is properly tightened in place, the appropriate Belleville washer should be used. Tightening the bolt beyond the washer’s torque may destroy the washer.
Diameter
The difference of the Belleville washer from other washers is that as soon as it reaches the tip of its cup perimeter, only then is it able to produce a clamping force. Because of this, there is need to use the right size for your specific need.
Finish
Consider the kind of finish that your washer should have. Determine the kind of environment that the washer may be exposed to, and ensure that the right kind of finish will not be damaged with sudden exposure to certain chemicals that can break the washer into pieces.
Conclusion
You can make your Belleville washers last longer by following the tips above. Make sure that you put the washer securely in place without contamination of other materials that may affect fastening. Remember that any kind of resistance will cause loosening of the bolt, regardless of the efficiency of the washer.
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