Waxed Nylon Insert Lock Nuts in 316 Stainless Steel

Marine Grade Lock Nuts with a Nylon Insert Stopper

A nylon insert lock nut is hex-shaped, internally threaded with a nylon insert or collar. The nylon material prevents loosening from vibration by increasing friction between the nylon and the screw thread. The insert deforms elastically over the threads of the screw, but threads are not cut into the nylon. This lock nut style is also referred to as a nyloc or nylock nut, polymer insert lock nut, or elastic stop nut.

The nylon insert locks the nut in two ways. First, it forces the bottom face of the screw threads against the nut threads' top face, increasing the friction between them. Second, the nylon applies a compressive force against the screw itself. Nylon lock nuts can maintain this locking ability up to 250 °F or 121 °C.

Nylon Insert Lock Nuts in this selection feature a waxed interior, which helps to prevent thread galling or fastener seizing, which is common in Stainless Steel Fasteners. The threaded interior of these lock nuts is treated with wax to act as an anti-seize without applying anti-seize to each fastener assembly. Because of this ease of use and time-saving property, waxed Nylon Lock Nuts are commonly used on assembly lines in factories and by anyone looking to save time and still protect their fasteners against thread galling.

Nylon lock nuts are not made to be backed-off after being applied. Attempting to do so creates cross threads that stop the nut from backing off the fastener.

Marine Grade Stainless Steel

The 316 grade of Stainless steel is suitable for highly corrosive environments, such as in saltwater or marine applications. 316 Stainless steel is equivalent to A4 stainless steel.

Nylon Insert
Lock Nut Size 		Width Across Flats Height / Thickness
#4 0.251" 0.153"
#6 0.313" 0.188"
#8 0.345" 0.239"
#10 0.376" 0.249"
#12 0.439" 0.328"
1/4" 0.439" 0.328"
5/16" 0.502" 0.359"
3/8" 0.563" 0.468"
7/16" 0.627" 0.468"
1/2" 0.752" 0.609"
9/16"
0.877" 0.656"
5/8" 0.940" 0.765"
3/4" 1.064" 0.890"
7/8" 1.252" 0.999"
1" 1.44" 1.078"

FAQs

How does a nylon lock nut work?

Nylon lock nuts have a nylon collar inserted into a recess at the nut's top. This recess and nylon insert are slightly smaller than the outer thread diameter. The insert deforms elastically over the threads of the screw, but threads are not cut into the nylon. This elasticity causes friction between the nylon collar and the screw making the connection resistant to loosening.

Which way do nylon lock nuts go?

Nylon lock nuts go nylon side away from the head of the bolt or screw. The threading should be coming out of the nylon insert side of the nut as the bolt or screw is fastened.

Are Nylock nuts reusable?

Yes, nylon insert lock nuts are reusable. However, we do not recommend frequent repurposing of the same nylon lock nuts in critical connections on a given application.

What is the purpose of a Nylock nut?

Nylock nuts are economical lock nuts for applications involving vibration or motion. The nylon insert of these locking nuts helps the assembly resist loosening under the application's vibration or motion.

What does 316 mean for stainless steel?

316 is a grade of stainless steel under the 300 series of stainless steel, including 303, 304, and 305. 316 Stainless Steel is distinct from these other grades because it is highly corrosive resistant and well suited to marine applications.

Is 304 or 316 stainless better?

316 stainless steel is better in most ways over 304 stainless steel. 316 Stainless has excellent corrosion resistance, strength, and hardness and is well suited to marine applications. However, it's much more expensive than 304 and is not as formable as 304 either.