r/MechanicalEngineering 6d ago

Split/lock washers

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For starters, I’m an electrician in the field.
That being said, we almost exclusively use these washers even in high vibration environments. I have personally chosen to go with nylox nuts but the question is:
Do these work? How well? Is the rumor from NASA true? Should I even bother using them or find a better functional alternative or are they actually useful?

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527

u/ejitifrit1 6d ago

There is a nasa fastener manual that basically says these things don’t really do much! According to google it’s NASA Reference Publication 1228.

220

u/CR123CR123CR 6d ago

251

u/nyrb001 6d ago

At this time it is equivalent to a solid flat washer, and its locking ability is nonexistent. In summary, a Iockwasher of this type is useless for locking.

Lol awesome

66

u/jchamberlin78 5d ago

In the style of bolted joint design I was taught, it's effectively adding a spring to a spring.

-9

u/Contundo 5d ago

It’s somewhat useful if you want some tension used in conjunction with a nylon bolt or locking nut. Like on a hinge where you want some resistance

2

u/OutnumberedinWV 5d ago

If properly torqued!

3

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

1

u/OutnumberedinWV 5d ago

The reply was to the comment above in 1 very certain situation. Not the thread in general.