Spring Lock Washers

The spring lock washer owes its name to its ability to “tension” threaded fasteners, increasing friction during tightening. As a result, the joint gains resistance to self-loosening. The washer handles increased operating loads well, including dynamic and vibration loads. Tightening a bolted joint fitted with a spring lock washer requires more force than with plain fasteners.

Spring lock washers – types and features

There are various types of spring lock washers, among which the following are especially popular and widely used:

1. Spring lock washers (grover rings) are the most in-demand type of hardware in this category. Most are made of spring steel of the same name. However, the standards also permit manufacturing these items from BrKMts3-1 bronze. They comply with the requirements of GOST 6402-70, DIN 7980, DIN 127.

The main differences between a spring lock washer (grover ring) and similar products are its square cross-section and a specific cut, with one end positioned slightly higher than the other. This feature makes the bolted joint strong and reliably protected against loosening and self-unscrewing.

There are four subtypes of grover washers, distinguished by a letter in the marking of each item:

• N – normal;
• L – light;
• T – heavy;
• OT – extra heavy.

Lock grover rings are supplied either untreated, with a zinc-plated coating, or treated by thermal diffusion galvanizing to provide special-purpose protective properties.

2. The disc spring (Belleville) type is a complete ring whose cross-section has the shape of a truncated cone. There are two versions: with sloped or parallel edges along the inner and outer perimeter. One of the key criteria for selecting a disc spring washer is the ratio of the expected load to the amount of elastic deformation. The technical requirements for this type of hardware are set out in GOST 3057-90.

3. Wave spring washers to DIN 137 (type B) and bent washers (type A). The configuration of the product is important when selecting a washer, since the hardware must be perfectly compatible with the parts being joined.

To ensure high reliability of the fastening assembly, it is best to purchase all its components from a single supplier with supporting certificates.

Materials and applications

Besides spring steel, grover, disc spring, wave, and bent washers are also made of plain carbon steel, as well as carbon steel finished with electroplated zinc or hot-dip galvanizing. For fastening joints intended for use in harsh environments, fasteners made of stainless steel grades A2 and A4 should be chosen. Both grades offer corrosion resistance, while A4 is additionally resistant to acid, alkaline, and salt exposure. Bronze and other alloys are also used in fasteners.

Spring lock washers are used across all industrial sectors. They are especially widely applied in machine building, the automotive industry, and anywhere a reliable connection under heavy loads is required.

Contact us — we will advise you and help you make the right choice.