Features of plastic washers

Various installation work requires a large number of all kinds of fasteners. Currently, in hardware stores you can find a huge variety of such fasteners. Washers are often used. Today we will talk about the features of such clips made of plastic.

Plastic washers are in the form of a flat round part. There is a small hole in the center of the fastener. Typically, these plastic clips are black or white.

These washers are most often used for assembling furniture structures, for fastening thermal insulation. They can be used to fix only lightweight materials or soft metals. They do not allow finished products to deform and damage.

These fasteners are UV resistant, so they can also be used for structures that will be placed outdoors. During operation, washers made of this material are practically not subject to aging, which guarantees the strength and reliability of the object.

They have an increased material clamping area. This is what makes it possible to significantly reduce the pressure that acts on the structure when tightening bolts or nuts. All the requirements for the quality and characteristics of such mounting washers can be found in GOST 18123-82. It contains the main interstate standards.

Plastic washers may vary in size. In this case, we are talking about the diameter of such clamps. Standard values ​​are M10, M8, M6, M4, but other sizes exist. In this case, such parts should be chosen, taking into account the material that will be fastened, its dimensions and weight.

In addition, they can vary depending on the design features.

• Flat. This option is the most common and simplest. These washers can be used for almost any lightweight object. Often they are used together with nuts, studs and screws as part of various threaded fasteners. These elements allow you to evenly distribute the weight of the structure, they make the connections as reliable as possible.

• Conical. These plastic washers are similar in appearance to standard washers, but they are made in such a way that the parts have a small depression in the central part in the form of a small funnel. These convex clamps are also available in different diameters. They most often act as reliable fasteners together with backlash joints. They are subject to regular vibration and stress. With the help of such parts, it is possible to achieve a complete absence of possible inaccuracies when connecting individual parts.

It is worth highlighting the special washers that provide an anti-vibration effect. They are ordinary fasteners, but their surface is not flat, but slightly convex. These models are most often used when laying heaters, which during operation will be subjected to various influences, including vibrations.

A separate group contains plastic washers. They are produced in the form of convex round elements, in the central part of which there are holes that outwardly resemble a small cross. Models are made exclusively from shock-resistant types of plastic (high density polyethylene and nylon).

Washers-sealants provide special resistance to the effects of different chemical compositions, so they are widely used in industrial sectors. Models of this type have an internal ledge. This design prevents the element from flying off during fixation and after installation.

These washer sealants can also be used for structures that are subject to regular vibrations or loads. Plastic products of this type will be the best option for joints in hard-to-reach places during finishing.

You can also see special insulating washers in stores. They look like thick fasteners. Their design is stepped, it consists of two round parts, one of which is smaller in diameter.

The smaller part is fixed into the hole of the larger circle, thus forming a stepped surface. Products are made from a special thermoplastic. Only such details can provide fairly good thermal insulation.

The surface of these clips is flat and has no protrusions. Their minimum thickness is about 4 mm, and the maximum reaches about 6 mm. The diameter of the fasteners can be different.

In order for the plastic washers to be able to serve as reliable locks of the structure for a long time, to ensure even distribution of the mass, they must be correctly installed. The most difficult thing to install is thermal washers.

To do this, you first need to make the necessary measurements of the fastener legs. Then you need to choose a drill that is suitable for the resulting size. Its diameter should vary from 1 to 2 millimeters.

After that, in those places on the materials where the connections will be created, markings are applied. Holes of the required depth are made along the marked lines with a drill. The distance between them should be about 30 centimeters.

The legs of the washers are inserted into the grooves made. This is done until the latch rests against the base. At the final stage, insert a self-tapping screw and screw it tightly into the material. When the washer head is completely recessed, it is covered with a special cover.

When fixing the washers, it is worth adhering to some rules. Only well-sharpened drills may be used during installation. Otherwise, the holes will be uneven, the parts will not be able to firmly and securely fix in them.

For information on how to make plastic washers yourself, see the next video.