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Washers are available in many different types and forms, some are specific to applications, but they are most often a thin, flat, perforated ring (metal, rubber, or plastic) and all are used to hold nuts and bolts in place.
Masons’ stocks metric or imperial sizes of washers including some of the types below, in a range of materials including Brass, Steel, Stainless, Phosphor Bronze, in finishes such a Zinc Clear, Zinc Yellow, Zinc Black, Nickel, Electro-Tin, Silver, Gold, Electro-Brass.
Explore some of the range here. If your item is hard to find, unusual or special? Explore our Special Fasteners service for custom fasteners made to order.
Purpose and Applications
Load Distribution: Spreading the load of a fastener over a wider surface area which prevents damage. Most often for use in woodwork, metal work and construction.
Vibration Reduction – Minimise chances of fastener loosening from vibrations. Mose useful in applications in the automotive and machinery-based industries.
Sealing – Prevent leaking creating a tighter seal. Useful for applications such as plumbing, fluid systems and gas lines.
Spacing – Ensure correct spacing between components, used in precision engineering and machinery applications.
Insulation - washers can be used to electrically insulate fasteners from the material they are fastening.
Types of Washer
Flat Washers - thin, flat, disc-shaped metal or plastic components with a central hole. When tightening a nut, a washer can be used alongside to spread the force across a wider surface area on the material being tightened washers lessen the change of loosening by resisting the pressure caused by tightening. Flat Washers are used in domestic and industrial applications and can also be used to provide electrical insulation. Most common industries are general manufacturing, maintenance, and repair.
Repair Washers – also commonly known as Penny Washers, Fender Washers or Mudguard Washers, are flat washers with a significantly larger outside diameter than standard. They are superior to flat washers for use in fixing to weak or damaged materials due to this larger outside diameter as they spread the force across a larger area helping prevent pull-through, damage or securely fasten over oversized holes. Common applications include Automotive industries, for securing fenders/mudguards. Plumbing and Electrical to seal and secure and Construction, DIY or Furniture assembly to prevent surface damage to soft materials such as wood.
Spring Washers - Spring Washers are circular washers with a conical shape that provides a spring-like effect when compressed. Also commonly called Split/Helical washers, Belleville, Disc Springs. The shape of spring washers allows them to absorb shock and vibration, prevent loosening and loss of tension, and maintain a clamping force in joints that experience constant movement or vibrations. Appropriate for use in applications in industries such as Automotive and Aerospace in engines and landing gear which withstand high vibrations. Electrical components to maintain contact pressure and other general/machinery maintenance that undergoes constant movement.
Shakeproof Washers - Shakeproof washers are also referred to as Tab Washers or Serrated Shakeproof Washers are another type of anti-vibration/locking washer, featuring internal or external teeth (also called tabs) that bite into both the nut/bolt head and the work surface preventing loosening caused by vibrations, pressure, or movement. They are single use fasteners used for their superior torque resistance, commonly in machinery for their anti-loosening properties and electrical applications with the teeth maintaining conductivity.
Branded Washers
Nord-Lock Washers - specialized washers designed to prevent loosening using tension rather than friction.They feature cam-faced sides that interlock and radial ribs that grip mating surfaces, ensuring that bolts remain secure even under extreme vibration, dynamic loads, and harsh, corrosive environments. They are re-usable and easy to install. Nord-lock washers are used in critical connections where failure is not an option. Example applications include Mining Equipment, Rail and Industrial machinery where there are High-Vibrations. Dynamic Loads such as Wind Turbines and Agricultural Machinery and Heavy-Duty Vehicles. Safety Critical applications such as Aerospace, defence gas and oil infrastructures and prevention of corrosive failure due to their high corrosion resistance, making them ideal for marine or chemically exposed joints.
Schnoor Safety Washers - specialized locking washers designed to secure bolted joints against vibration, loosening and reducing dynamic stress on screws. They have a conical shape, with a trapezoidal cross-section and serrations on both sides creating a robust locking mechanism that maintains tension especially where high vibration is present. When tightened the washer compresses whilst the serrations dig into the mating material, the conical shape creased a strong pre-load force providing a double locking effect. There are 2 types of Schnoor Safety Washers “S” Standard and “VS” which is a reinforced, thicker version for higher tension and high-strength fasteners. Widely used in safety critical applications such as heavy machinery, automotive components and industrial equipment for their preload and anti-loosening properties. They are suitable for high strengths (8.8 and 10.9).
Specialist Washers
Crinkle Washers - Crinkle washers are also known as Wavy Washers or Wave Washers. They are another type of locking washer, they are lightweight, wavy-shaped washers. Used primarily for light-duty applications, they provide anti-vibration locking and load-bearing support without damaging soft, thin, or plated surfaces. Commonly used in Electrical applications due to their secure conductivity in smaller components and extensively used in Automotive, Aerospace, Engineering and machinery due to their corrosion-resistant material options such as Beryllium Copper and Stainless Steel.
Square Plate Washers – thick, heavy-duty flat washers square in shape typically used where a larger clamping surface is needed, and a normal round washer is inappropriate. Often used for Load distribution in Construction for timber framing or mounting brackets. Structural support in fixing steelwork and framing and offer some Anti-Rotation due to their square shape.
Red Fibre Washers – often referred to as Vulcanised Fibre Washers, they are flat sealing discs made from compressed cellulose that has been chemically treated. Designed specifically to create a watertight seal in plumbing preventing leaks when in contact with liquid by expanding. Also commonly used in automotive and electrical applications. They offer electrical insulation, they are non-conductive, high friction loosening prevention and are resistant to oil, fuel and sea water. They can operate in temperatures ranging from -60°C to +100°C/ +105°C. Often manufactured to the standard DIN125-A.
Taper Washers – also known as D Washers, they are specialised washers with a slope, often 5° or 8° to provide a flat level bearing surface for nut or bolt heads on angled surfaces dispersing the load and ensuring fasteners remain secure, they prevent uneven pressure and ensure proper tension in steel construction, heavy-duty load bearing applications. Most associated with Automotive, marine and medical.
Starlock Washers – also known as Push on Washers they are a specialized component designed to grip smooth shafts, pins, or tubes holding parts securely in place. They feature internal ‘prongs’ that bite into the material (most typically plastic or metal) to create a permanent friction fit that prevents loosening under vibration, acting as an alternative to threading or circlips. Once they are secured onto a shaft they immediately grip and are almost impossible to remove without damaging/destroying them. There are 2 variants, capped which feature a push on cap that hides the internal serrated section and Un-capped. They’re commonly used in Automotive, Electrical, Medical, Industrial, Manufacturing and Marine industries.
Still unsure? This is just some of our range. Contact us with your request, we’ll be happy to source for you!
If your item is hard to find, unusual or special? Explore our Special Fasteners service.
