Low washer

The low washer, also called a flat washer, is the most common type of backing under a nut or bolt head. It is a metal product that increases the strength, reliability and resistance of the fastening to loosening under vibration. If the bearing surface is weaker than the material of the threaded joint, the low washer protects the base from mechanical damage.

The operating principle of the low washer is to distribute the tightening load over a larger area of the bearing surface. The size of the inner hole depends on the parameters of the screw, self-tapping screw or bolt. The low washer may have a chamfer along the outer edge or be flat, without a bevel.

Besides steel, copper alloys, brass and polyamide are used to manufacture the low washer. The choice of material depends on the specific task. Industry produces various types of flat washers: in most cases round, but square, toothed and conical products are also found.