Products

Product Overview

A lock washer is an essential mechanical fastening component designed to prevent nuts and bolts from loosening under vibration, torque, and dynamic loading conditions. These washers play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of joints in machinery, vehicles, aircraft, and structural systems, ensuring safety, reliability, and long-term performance. Typically manufactured from high-strength steel, stainless steel, or specialized alloys, lock washers are engineered to provide resistance against loosening through spring action, serrations, or unique geometrical designs.

Lock washers work by creating either a spring force, a mechanical interference, or a wedge-locking action between the nut bearing surface and the joint surface. The global lock washer market continues to expand, driven by growth in automotive production, industrial machinery manufacturing, and infrastructure construction projects worldwide.

How It Works

Different types of lock washers employ distinct anti-loosening mechanisms:

• Split Lock Washers (Helical Spring) – When compressed between a nut/bolt head and the workpiece, the split creates a spring tension that maintains clamp load, while the sharp edges at the split ends “bite” into both the nut bearing surface and the joint surface to resist rotational loosening.

• Serrated & Toothed Lock Washers – Internal or external serrations bite into the mating surfaces to provide anti-rotation resistance. Commonly used in electrical grounding applications where maintaining electrical continuity is critical, and in thin-sheet assemblies where space is limited.

• Belleville Disc Spring Washers – The conical shape provides a high spring force in a compact axial space. As the washer flattens under bolt preload, it maintains clamp force even as thermal expansion, gasket creep, or joint relaxation would otherwise reduce preload. Multiple washers can be stacked in series or parallel to tune force vs. deflection characteristics.

• Wedge-Locking Washers – Utilise a cam-action wedge pair system. When tightened, the mating wedge surfaces create a mechanical lock that prevents rotation even under severe vibration and dynamic loads. This technology is based on tension rather than friction, providing superior anti-loosening performance in critical applications.

• Tab Lock Washers – Feature one or more tabs that are bent against a nut flat or the joint surface after tightening, providing a positive mechanical lock that cannot loosen unless the tab is intentionally straightened.

Material Specifications

Key Features

• Vibration Resistance – Engineered to maintain bolt preload under continuous dynamic loading conditions

• Multiple Anti-Loosening Mechanisms – Spring tension, serrated bite, wedge-locking cam action, or positive mechanical lock available to match specific application requirements

• Thermal Compensation – Belleville disc springs maintain clamp load across wide temperature ranges, accommodating thermal expansion and contraction

• Corrosion Protection – Multiple surface treatment options available for aggressive environments

• Compact Design – Minimal axial space requirement across all types

• Customizable Configurations – Available in various materials, dimensions, and surface finishes to meet specific application needs

Applications

Special Application Notes

Lock washers are not recommended for ASME B16.5 flanged piping joints, as flange bolting relies on controlled preload via torque or hydraulic tensioning to maintain gasket seal, and adding a lock washer alters the effective bolt length and load-deflection behavior. For such applications, consult engineering specifications for appropriate fastening methods.

Quality Assurance

Shanghai Malaxy Industry Co., Ltd., a recognized leader in China‘s fastener industry, operates under strict quality management systems with ISO 9001 certification. All lock washers undergo dimensional inspection (per DIN 127, DIN 6798, DIN 6797, ASME B18.21.1, and GB/T 94 standards), hardness testing (HRC 40–50 for spring steel grades), and load-deflection verification before shipment. Material certificates (Mill Test Certificates) are available upon request.

Packaging & Lead Time

Standard packaging: small boxes → poly bags → export cartons → pallets (custom packaging accepted).
Lead time: 15–30 days depending on order quantity and type.
Shipping ports: Shanghai, Ningbo.

Why Choose Shanghai Malaxy?

As a leading fastener manufacturer with a verified 100% on‑time delivery record and a perfect 5.0/5.0 customer rating on Alibaba International Station, Shanghai Malaxy combines technical expertise with operational excellence. Our international sales team provides responsive service, technical support, customized solutions, and competitive wholesale pricing for global B2B buyers seeking reliable lock washer supply.

With the global lock washer market projected to expand significantly in the coming years driven by automotive electrification and infrastructure development, Malaxy is well-positioned to serve customers across all major markets with premium-quality locking solutions. Contact our sales team today for quotes, technical specifications, or sample requests.