Sherex's TEC Series® and Disc-Lock brand of wedge locking washers and nuts utilize tension, rather than traditionally-used friction, to secure fastened joints in high vibration and load applications. This results in secure joints that are unable to loosen through vibration. Our wedge-locking washers are used in a variety of vibration intensive industries and can even be found to be useful around the house to secure those pesky nuts and bolts that need to be retightened every so often.
How Locking Washer Technology Works
TEC Series and Disc-Lock Washers are offered in glued pairs; each washer has a cams on one side and radial teeth on the other side. The cam sides are glued together. During installation, the radial teeth cause half of the washer to be seated to the bolt or nut, and half to be seated to the base material.
When the joint is exposed to heavy load or vibration, the bolt or nut will attempt to loosen. Because the TEC Series or Disc-Lock washer’s radial teeth are seated to the base material and the bolt or nut, the loosening movement is forced into the cams between the washer pair.
Because the cam angles are greater than the thread pitch, a wedge effect is created by the cams, preventing the bolt or nut from rotating loose.
How Locking Nut Technology Works
Disc-Lock Nuts are two and three piece nuts that utilize the same cam wedge locking technology: when the joint is subjected to heavy shock or vibration, the interlocking cams create a wedge effect because the cam angles are greater than the thread pitch, securing the joint.
TEC Series wedge-locking washers are recommended for applications where fasteners and washers may need to be removed and/or reused.
How TEC Series Washers Work
TEC Series washers are designed with cams on one side and radial teeth on the other. During installation, the radial teeth cause one-half of the washer to be seated to the bolt or nut, while the other half is seated to the joint material. When subjected to load or vibration, traditional fasteners can loosen over time. However, with TEC Series washers, the radial teeth are firmly seated to the mating surfaces to prevent any movement in the loosening direction. This is where the unique cam design comes into play. The cam angle of the washers is greater than the thread pitch angle of the bolt, creating a wedge effect that prevents the bolt or nut from rotating loose. As a result, the clamp load is maintained, and the joint remains securely fastened.
Key Features and Benefits
Maintains clamp load: Ideal for high-vibration and load applications, ensuring the security of joints.
Heavy duty, self-locking design: Suited for use with bolts up to Class 12.9 or Grade 8.
Various sizes: Available in sizes ranging from #8 (M4) to 1 3/8” (M36) in stock, ready for immediate shipment.
Material options: Choose from SCM435 Alloy Steel, 316L Stainless Steel, and 254 SMO Stainless Steel, depending on your requirements.
Preassembled pairs: TEC Series washers come in preassembled glued pairs for added convenience.
Easy installation and removal: Can be easily installed and removed with standard tools, without the need for retightening.
Reusable: TEC Series washers will not distort threads on the bolt, making them a cost-effective choice.
Vibration-proof: Conforms to MIL-STD-1312-7/NASM-1312-7 standards.
Lubrication-friendly: Lubrication does not impair the locking function of the washer.
Suitable for short clamp length joints: Can be reliably used for joints with short clamp length.
Secures joints with high and low preloads: Versatile and dependable for a wide range of applications.
Disc-Lock's Wedge Locking Nuts come in 2 and 3-piece designs that are patented, heavy duty, and self-locking. These wedge locking nuts outperform standard nuts in a wide range of high-stress, corrosive, and vibration-sensitive applications. The M22 Safety Wheel Nut is one of Disc-Lock's most popular products, as its specifically designed to prevent wheel loss on commercial vehicles such as trucks, trailers, and buses.
Here is a snapshot of some of the features and benefits of all of Disc-Lock's Wedge Locking Nuts products:
• Patented heavy-duty, self-locking designs
• Can be used with bolts up to Class 10.9, Grade 8
• One-piece assembly
• No washer required
• Coated in RoHs-compliant GEOMET® 321 or Magni® 565*, providing protection of 720 hours in salt spray testing
* Other coatings available by special order
• Easy to install with standard tools
• Easy to remove and reusable
• Custom sizes available
• No re-tightening needed once installed
• Vibration-proof according to MIL-STD-1312-7
How Locking Nut Technology Works
Disc-Lock Nuts are two and three-piece nuts that utilize the same cam wedge locking technology: when the joint is subjected to heavy shock or vibration, the interlocking cams create a wedge effect because the cam angles are greater than the thread pitch, securing the joint.
