Conical Periphery Toothed Washers

What is a Conical Tooth Washer and How Does it Work?

Conical periphery-toothed washers, also known as conical spring or conical lock tooth washers, feature a tapered, conical shape and a serrated edge on the outer diameter to provide a locking force around the underside of bolts that prevents fasteners from loosening in high-vibration, dynamic, or temperature-fluctuating environments. When installed, the cone flattens to generate a spring-like axial force, allowing the peripheral teeth to grip the mating surface and prevent rotation, and maintain tension.

Compared to standard flat washer designs, conical tooth washers lock and dampen vibration through the force provided by their design; whereas flat washers distribute loads evenly and protect surfaces from fastener damage.

Benefits and Use Cases of Conical Periphery Toothed Washers

Due to their benefits, conical lock tooth washers are useful in industrial operations, machinery, and structural or heavy-duty applications where vibration, dynamic loads, or thermal cycling occur, providing a strong, secure joint that meets application requirements. Choosing a conical periphery toothed washer instead of a standard flat washer design will:

• Offer vibration and shock resistance
• Deliver load distribution and clamping force retention
• Reliably lock without the use of chemical thread-lockers or complicated locking hardware

With this washer style, joints under dynamic load stay tight, and preload is maintained even under thermal expansion, settling, or surface irregularities. They compensate for settlement, thermal expansion and contraction, gasket creep, and dynamic loads, applying consistent pressure even as the joint shifts.

Conical Lock Tooth Washer Available Materials and Specifications

We supply conical-periphery toothed washers made of steel in various diameters and thicknesses, according to bolt size, to absorb vibrations in high-movement friction applications. For enhanced corrosion resistance or durability to secure fastening applications across various industries, conical lock tooth washers are available in the following finishes:

• Phos & Oil
• Zinc/Black
• Zinc/Clear
• Zinc/Yellow

Conical Tooth Washer for Vibration Resistance Installation and Best Practice Guidelines

It’s important to remember that conical lock washers work best on metal-to-metal joints. Matching the washer material and finish to compatible fastener and base materials will prevent galvanic corrosion, which may weaken the locking washer. To install, follow these steps:

1. Ensure mating surfaces are clean, flat, and free of coatings that could prevent tooth engagement.
2. Place the washer with the teeth facing the mating surface to ensure bite, and install it under the nut or bolt head. Do not place between stacked washers.
3. Tighten to the specified torque, which will cause the conical shape to flatten slightly without entirely collapsing.

We do not recommend reusing conical tooth washers after removal, as the tooth effectiveness may have deteriorated. If reusing, please thoroughly inspect for any inconsistencies or defects. They are also not recommended for severely dynamic or critical joints unless validated; in such cases, thread-lockers can be used to increase vibration resistance.

Find the Fasteners You Need in EPCO’s Extensive Inventory

EPCO maintains a vast fastener inventory, including lock washers, standard washers, and a wide variety of fastener solutions to meet the specific joining needs of your projects. We are a one-stop shop for the industrial sector, providing safety supplies, fasteners, washers, and more to support industrial businesses with high-quality products for applications across various industries. Contact us today with your questions, or request a quote to get started with your order.