Aerospace Washers and Their Types

Washers are a common form of hardware fastener, regularly being used alongside bolts and other threaded components for the means of securing two or more pieces together in an assembly. With this basic role, washers may be found in numerous applications and industries. For example, washers are quite important in the aviation industry, regularly being relied on for airframe construction and repair, among other needs. In this blog, we will discuss the common forms of washers used in aviation applications, allowing you to better understand their importance.

Plain washers are a standard feature of aviation assemblies, such components coming in the form of flat, thin, and circular discs that feature a centralized hole for a threaded fastener to be passed through. For aviation applications in particular, AN960 and AN970 washers are most common, and they are paired with hex nuts while offering a smooth bearing surface for optimal assembly. With plain washers, the position of castellated nuts can be adjusted in relation to drilled cotter pin holes, and they are best used under lockwashers so as to avoid any damage to surfaces.

When one is working with aluminum alloy or magnesium structures where there is the risk of corrosion as a result of dissimilar metals, aluminum or aluminum alloy plain washers are the most optimal choice. In some instances, a cadmium-plated steel washer may also be relied on when the assembly nut is bearing directly against a structure, ensuring that the cutting action of the nut is better avoided or resisted.

Lockwashers are another common type of hardware found in such assemblies, and they are hardware components capable of preventing fasteners from coming loose as a result of vibration through the tension they exert. For aerospace applications, AN935 and AN936 washers are the most common, and they are generally paired with machine screws or bolts in instances where a self-locking or castellated-type nut is unfeasible for the assembly in question. To ensure that you correctly use lockwashers, such components should never be used with fasteners connected to primary or secondary structures, where failure would cause an opening to be created for air to enter, where screws are frequently removed, where washers may corrode, and more.

Shakeproof lockwashers are round washers with bent tabs or lips, allowing for a hex nut or bolt to be secured in place with ease by preventing any turning. Compared to other solutions, shakeproof lockwashers are known for their high heat and vibration resistance. As the tabs of the lockwasher lose integrity with bending, they should never be used a second time so as to not risk an accidental break.

The last group of washers used for aviation applications include special variations like ball socket and sear washers, and common choices include AC950 and AC955 washers. Generally, these hardware components are used when a bolt is installed at an angle or when perfect alignment is necessary. Ball socket and seat washers are used in conjunction for such applications, rather than individually.

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