Thick washers, also known as heavy washers or structural washers, are thicker than standard washers and provide more stability, among other advantages. You’re probably wondering about their durability compared to standard washers. Here is a breakdown of what you need to know about thick washers to help you make an informed decision when choosing washers.
What Are the Features of Thick Washers?
Some features you need to note about thick washers include:
- Unlike standard washers, which are thin and flat, thick washers are ⅛ inches and more, depending on what application you intend for them.
- Thick washers have a larger outer diameter, increasing the surface area for load distribution.
- The materials used in making thick washers are heavy-duty, such as stainless steel, bronze, and other strong alloys.
- During manufacturing, thick washer surfaces must be perfectly flat and parallel for proper alignment in their application.
- Lastly, they have various finishes depending on their application, such as galvanized and zinc-plated, increasing their efficiency against corrosion.
Thick Washers and Durability
Generally, thick washers are more durable than your standard washers as their make is meant to withstand more. That said, here is how their thickness enhances their durability:
- In load distribution, thicker washers have a larger surface area in contact with the fasteners, ensuring wider load distribution. Likewise, this factor reduces the chances of localized stress exerted by the fastener on the washer due to a more evenly distributed force.
- Thicker washers are, in every sense, more resistant to deformation during compression. Unlike standard washers, which are subject to warping during fastening, they maintain the integrity of fastened surfaces, making constant maintenance unnecessary.
- You can rest easy knowing that your assembly will last longer. Thicker washers are more stable, so they won’t move around after fastening, reducing the chances of wear and tear forcing you to replace your parts.
What Can Affect Thick Washer Durability?
While we have established that thick washers are more durable than standard washers, some factors can affect their integrity. These include:
- The environment in which they are used can affect their durability. For example, a washer in severe weather conditions, exposure to chemicals, etc., can wear it down faster.
- Another factor is that washers applied in areas with a lot of movement, such as automobiles and other mechanical parts, will not last as long as those in still-application areas.
- Some materials also have better resistance to wear and tear than others.
- Lastly, the manufacturer you settle for is crucial, as some have better products than others.
Find a Trusted Thick Washer Manufacturer
Thick washers are crucial in diverse automotive, construction, and marine industries. Maintaining your assembly in pristine conditions always requires settling for a good thick washer manufacturer.
At Minneapolis Washer and Stamping, Inc., we pride ourselves on nearly a century of washer manufacturing experience. We provide high-quality and diverse washer types to suit your every need. Therefore, contact us today at (612-588-0501) to get the best on your unique requirements.