Flat washers are primarily stamped from sheet metal, typically shaped like a flat ring with a central hole. The size of this hole is usually customized according to customer requirements.
Flat washers are generally thin parts of various shapes, used to reduce friction, prevent leakage, isolate, prevent loosening, or distribute pressure. These components are found in many materials and structures, performing similar functions. Due to material and manufacturing limitations of threaded fasteners, bolts and other fasteners have small bearing surfaces; therefore, washers are used to reduce compressive stress on the bearing surface and protect the surfaces of the connected parts. To prevent loosening of the connection, anti-loosening spring washers, multi-tooth locking washers, round nut locking washers, and saddle-shaped, wave-shaped, and conical elastic washers are used.
Flat washers are mainly used to reduce pressure. When the axial force is large in some areas, the washer can easily be compressed into a disc shape. In this case, the material and hardness can be changed to solve the problem.
Spring washers generally have a lower locking effect; they should be used sparingly or not at all in critical areas, and self-locking structures should be used instead. For spring washers used in high-speed tightening (pneumatic or electric), it is best to use washers with surface phosphate treatment to improve their anti-friction performance; otherwise, they are prone to frictional heat generation, burning out, or even damaging the surface of the connected parts. Spring washers should not be used for thin plate joints. Statistics show that spring washers are being used less and less in automobiles.
