Properties of a Lock Washer

Lock washers keep your appliances and electronics in once piece.screw with washer image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com

Nuts and bolts are on almost everything in your home. They hold together your appliances, furniture, and electronic parts. People sometimes use screws or bolts with lock washers. Lock washers help keep your belongings in one piece. Just remember the different properties of the lock washer the next time you go to the store. Each one will perform differently. An important part of learning about lock washers is learning their shapes, types, and makes.

Appearance

Lock washers are typically circular in shape with a hole in the middle. The hole will help keep the bolt or screw into place. Lock washers also feel smooth to the touch.

Even though the disc itself will be smooth, the lock washer may have sharp edges. The edges help keep the washer in place. The washer won't budge when there are mechanical forces or vibration occurring.

Most lock washers are similar to a standard washer. Sometimes lock washers can be in the shape of a trapezoid. This unique shape will help prevent loosening of joined components.

Lock washers typically come in stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, or carbon steel. There are also plastic and titanium washers. People can choose to use these washes either temporarily or permanently.

Steel and titanium are typically the strongest types of lock washer. It can be difficult to remove a titanium lock washer after it's in its place.

There are four types of lock washers--internal tooth, external tooth, external internal combination tooth, and split lock.

An internal tooth lock washer has teeth on the inside of the ring, while an external tooth lock washer has teeth on the outside of the ring. An external internal combination tooth lock washer has teeth on both the inside and outside of the ring for oversized holes.

A split washer has a standard washer shape with a cut on one side and a slight bend. The split will bite in only one direction, so the fastener can't turn counterclockwise.