Lock Washers... Why the engineers at work hate me

[j-ran]

So I got into it at work a few weeks ago with engineers reguarding lock-washers (split type helical lock washers). Of course everyone thought i was a moron when i said that they don't work... they have been putting them on equipment for decades and I think because of that most people assume that they work. I submit that these things do not work, can anybody prove otherwise? I do have some studies i found online that back me up, and I know the theory of how they are supposed to work (according to my coworkers there are multiple theories).

I brought some research into work about a week later, and was instructed to "let it go" by my boss... So is there maybe some conspiracy involving lock washers? lol

Anyways, I just thought i would share this with people... maybe get people thinking about it a little bit, hear some opinions or whatever. It might be an OT post, but it seemed very technical to me so I put it in Tech. If you don't hear from me in a couple days, maybe the lock-washer companies "got to me"

[mcfly]

I argued my chem teach regarding magnetic water due to polar molecules. He was pissed.


I think the "spring" pressure they provide could just as easily back a nut off in a high vibration environment. I like the nuts with the teeth on them.

[Zacho]

I've always found when I use lock washers, that are required to be very tight, when you pull the bolt off later down the road or immediately the lock washer seems to have lost almost 100% of its "spring" pressure. Maybe the ones I have used in the past are cheap? I'm not sure. Just an observation.

I do have to say though, nylock nuts are dandy. I wouldn't use them on an application with heat though.

[j-ran]

yes, I agree there are other lockwashers that serve a definate purpose, however the ones they make us use at work are useless and nobody seems to care. And the equipment I build (generators in the X00 mega watt range) goes through excessive vibration.

[Rapier46]

Build one with no lock washers, and one with lock washers. And hope you are correct.

[TougeJunkie]

Maybe Locktite would be a better solution to lock washers, it probably depends on this size of the bolt or nut, if they are large structural ones perhaps the lock washer holds more torsion or is made from stronger steel... but Im guessing here

[Terrh]

the sharp teeth at the split dig into the nut and surface and prevent it from turning counterclockwise.


it's not rocket science.

[j-ran]

it's not rocket science.

That's where you're wrong:

NASA Fastener Design Manual (http://gltrs.grc.nasa.gov/reports/1990/RP-1228.pdf)

Check out page 9 on lock washers.

[bobbo]

I work on gas turbines and used to work on aircraft. If you can't have it come apart you simply lockwire it. Then it WILL NOT come apart.

[mcfly]

Those durlock bolts(serrated), even the cheap ones work good but they are not reusable and scratch deep :p