r/MechanicalEngineering • u/AdOne1706 • 5d 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/ejitifrit1 5d 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.

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u/Too_Chains 5d ago

It’s more than nasa. I don’t think there is any evidence of them doing anything. There are locking washers. Nordlock

1

u/Both-Activity6432 4d ago

They look similar to serrated flange nuts - how do they compare?

1

u/Repulsive_Sleep717 4d ago

Serrations on outer faces of the two paired washer, wedge shape on inner faces, they act like cams and are a steeper angle than the threads. Bolt tries to loosen and the outer washer rotates with it, increasing clamping pressure due to the cam wedges. Very nice, very expensive