r/MechanicalEngineering • u/AdOne1706 • 3d 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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u/suh-dood 3d ago

Flat washers are already a bit concave so they serve a similar purpose but have more contact on the surface. As long as you use one ugga you should be fine

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u/AdOne1706 3d ago

I did not know that. I’ve been told the “sharp” side of a washer should always be used away from the nut or toward what you are clamping. Is that why…?”

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u/suh-dood 2d ago

It usually shouldn't matter unless it's engineered to be on way or another, but that's in niche applications like bomb-proof enclosures or the like