Stainless Steel Curved Washers

Curved washers are metal washers that have a curved or bowed circular shape. Their shape is designed to provide some elasticity when they are compressed between two surfaces. The curvature of the washer allows it to exert some spring-like resistance, which maintains some tension in the fastening joint and helps to even distribute loads. This is similar to the mechanical effect that spring washers provide. They are often used in conjunction with bolts, screws and studs. When compressed between one of these fasteners and the application's surface, they will help to prevent loosening, absorb vibrations and create a secure connection.

There are many different applications where you might find some variation of a curved washer being used. They are a versatile component and often used to help a fastening joint to absorb vibrations, distribute loads more evenly and maintain a secure connection. Stainless steel curved washers are used in marine and offshore settings where their corrosion resistant properties make them a great choice for vibration damping and securing fastened connections on oil rigs and ships. Curved washers are also useful in construction and structural engineering where they can enhance the flexibility and load distribution of bolted joints. They will help to prevent the bolts from loosening due to vibrations and thermal expansion or contraction.

Curved washers have a concave side and a convex side. The concave side is the one that curves inwards and the convex one is the side that curves outwards. When a curved washer is installed to an application, it needs to be placed the right way around, to ensure it functions correctly. You should make sure that the concave (inward curving) side of the curved washer faces the surface of the application you are fastening. The convex (curving outwards) side of the curved washer should then face the bolt or nut. We know this can be a little confusing but our team are happy to give advice, if you have any questions just leave us message on live chat.

Curved washers might also be described as wave washers or wavy washers. We have also heard customers refer to them as wave spring washers or crinkle washers. These terms are generally used interchangeably by most people to denote a washer that has a circular shape that is curved or bowed to one side.

Although similar in shape and appearance and technically both styles of curved washers, a wave washer features wave like creases across the washer's surface. A curved washer will instead have a smooth surface. This structural difference in the surface of the washer changes its mechanical properties. Curved washers will typically provide a constant and linear spring rate, this means that the amount they compress is directly proportional to the load that is applied to them. In contrast to this, wave washers have a non-linear spring rate, where the relationship between compression and load is not constant. Instead, the waved creases in the washer cause their spring force to increase exponentially as more load is applied. This kind of dynamic spring force is useful in safety devices such as safety valves and pressure relief devices.

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