All about oversized washers

For the installation work, a large number of different fasteners are required. In this case, the most common option is washers, which provide a secure fit. Today we will talk about special enlarged washers, their main features.

The oversized washer is a standard flat fastener that has a large outer diameter and thickness. Basic information about such parts can be found in GOST 6958-78. It describes the design of these washers, their dimensions, weight, and technical requirements. In addition, many requirements for the quality and manufacturing process of such elements are listed in a special standard din 9021. Unlike the standard flat model, which has an outer diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a bolt or nut, reinforced fasteners are large and heavy. The ratio of the diameters of the outer and inner parts for the enlarged views is 1: 3. These parts are most often not used as a separate fixture, they are used as an auxiliary fastener.

Oversized washers can be made from different materials. The most popular option is considered to be models made from a steel base. The diameter of such samples most often varies from 12 to 48 millimeters, although models with a lower indicator are currently sold. These types of fasteners, as a rule, belong to the accuracy class A or C. The first type belongs to the group of increased accuracy level. Models related to it have a larger diameter value compared to group C.

Reinforced models will be the best option for bolting, because they contribute to the most even distribution of the total load over a large area. As a result, the pressure on the supporting surface is reduced, the reliability and safety of the finished structure is ensured. Sometimes these parts are used together with studs, spring elements, nuts. Such washers should be purchased if you are going to work with thin, fragile or soft materials, since in these cases it is not always possible to take other fasteners, including bolts.

All washers have their own specific geometric meanings. These include the indicator of the inner and outer diameter, as well as the thickness. Fasteners are marked according to the metric diameter of the structure. Before purchasing a suitable set with reinforced washers, make sure that the surface is not scratched, chipped or otherwise damaged.

Various types of metals can be used to make enlarged fasteners of this type.

• Steel. A carbon, alloy and corrosion resistant steel base is a suitable option for making washers. This material is considered the most durable and reliable, in addition, it does not corrode. As a rule, in the manufacturing process, fasteners are additionally coated with a special galvanized coating, which provides better protection of the washer from mechanical stress, improves its reliability and durability.Galvanized steel is absolutely safe from an environmental point of view.

• Brass. This metal for the production of fasteners has relatively high mechanical properties, resistance to the formation of a corrosive layer. In this case, brass can be of two main types: two-component and multicomponent. The first option includes only zinc and copper. It is marked with the letter L. The second variety includes, in addition to zinc and copper, lead, iron, aluminum.

• Bronze. This material is particularly resistant to corrosion. It has a high level of strength. Often, tin, nickel, and aluminum are added to the alloy along with bronze, which makes the base even more durable and reliable.

• Aluminum. Such a light metal has a high level of ductility. It has a special thin oxide film. This coating allows you to make the material as resistant to the appearance of corrosive deposits as possible. In addition, aluminum has the longest service life.

• Plastic. Washers made from this material are rarely used in construction, because plastic does not have the same strength and reliability as metal. But at the same time, such parts can sometimes be used to increase the bearing area of ​​the head of nuts or bolts, which prevents disconnection.

Metal washers with an increased field can have different diameters and weights, so you should pay attention to this before purchasing such fasteners. Most often, samples with the values ​​of M4, M5, M6, M8, M10, M12, M14, M16, M20, M24, M27 are used for installation work. The lower the indicator, the less weight the product has. So, the mass of 1 piece. M12 is 0.0208 kg, M20 has a weight of 0.0974 kg.

In order for the washer to be able to provide the most reliable and strong fixation, it is necessary to install it correctly. First you need to calculate that the diameter of the outer part is equal to the diameter of the inner part, which has been multiplied by three. During the installation process, the washer with an increased field is tightly fixed in the place between the mount and the part that will be connected. After that, it is necessary to tighten the entire fastening structure with effort.

When installing, it is worth remembering the following important nuances:

• do not forget, when it is possible to create a bolted connection on a soft surface, it is still better to use a reinforced washer, since it is such fasteners that will allow you to form a large supporting area;
• the increased support area makes it possible to evenly distribute all the pressure that has arisen on the surface, this makes the connecting structure more durable and resistant;
• if during the installation process you screw in a nut, then it is better to use such a washer as an additional protective element, because when installing the nuts, there is a lot of friction, which can lead to damage to the surface; an enlarged washer in this case will help prevent scratches and other damage to the structure.

The following video describes the installation of oversized washers.