A washer is not a very complicated item. It is a flat, circular shape with a circle punched through the middle to create a donut shape. However, these simple little bits of stainless steel actually provide important functions in different applications.
Stainless steel flat washers can be used on wood, metal and other types of material. Stainless is often considered the ideal alloy as is naturally rust and corrosion resistant, which is important in any type of construction, fabrication, and manufacturing.
Additionally, different types or series of stainless steel can be superior in corrosion resistance in various applications. It is very resistant to water, chemicals and corrosive agents that would dissolve other types of alloys over time. It is also an ideal option in extreme temperatures, so it can be used for cryogenic types of applications as well as in boilers, furnaces, aerospace applications and everything in between.
The Importance of the Washer
There are two main reasons to use stainless steel flat washers in any application. First, they are wider than the nut, which distributes the pressure from the nut evenly over the surface of the item. This prevents the nut from sinking into soft surfaces and also allows the nut to fasten securely to hard surfaces without scratching or damaging the surface.
The second reason why stainless steel flat washers are used is to assist in keeping the nut snugly in place. If the nut is tightened on an uneven surface, it has points of contact with the surface with different amounts of pressure. Over time, this uneven pressure and any vibration, which is very common in equipment or machinery, will cause the nut to loosen. With the smooth surface of the washer, there is even pressure, reducing this natural tendency to come undone with time.
