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Conical Washers

What are Conical Washers?

Conical washers, often called spring conical or Belleville washers, are formed washers with a cone shape that acts like a spring under load. They store energy as the joint is tightened to help maintain preload, resist vibration, and support consistent clamp force.

What do conical washers do?

  • Provide spring tension to help keep nuts and bolts tight in service
  • Compensate for thermal cycling, gasket creep, and material set
  • Distribute load while delivering higher clamping force in a compact space

When should I use a conical washer?

Choose a conical washer for assemblies exposed to vibration, temperature swings, or joint relaxation. They are common in equipment mounts, automotive and machinery fasteners, electrical enclosures, and structural connections that need stable preload.

Conical washer vs wave washer what is the difference?

Both are spring washers. A conical washer has a single cone that offers high load with short deflection. A wave washer has waves built into a thin ring and offers lower load with longer deflection for light, even pressure on thin sections.

Conical washer vs split lock washer what should I know?

Split lock washers rely on a helical split for bite and modest spring effect. Conical washers are engineered for stronger, more predictable spring behavior to maintain preload in higher load or higher vibration settings.

How to size conical washers inch and metric

  • Select by fastener size such as 1/4 in or M6 so the inner diameter fits the shank
  • Check outside diameter and cone height to match your seat area and available clearance
  • Choose thickness and spring rate for the clamp load your joint requires
  • Available in common inch and metric ranges to pair with US and metric fasteners

Materials and finishes

Spring steel or alloy steel

High strength with reliable spring performance for general machinery. Often protected with a plated finish.

304 and 316 stainless steel

Corrosion resistant spring action for outdoor, marine, or washdown environments. Use 316 near salt or harsh chemicals.

Zinc plated or phosphate coatings

Economical corrosion protection for dry, indoor service. Choose based on environment and desired appearance.

Installation tips

  • Install with the smaller diameter facing the rotating part unless a drawing specifies otherwise
  • Seat on clean, flat bearing surfaces so the cone compresses evenly
  • Tighten to the fastener’s torque guidance and avoid flattening the cone beyond its working range
  • For stacked configurations, use approved stacking patterns to tune deflection and load

Where are conical washers used?

  • Automotive and machinery joints subject to vibration
  • Motors, pumps, and rotating equipment mounting
  • Electrical panels and terminals that see thermal cycling
  • Structural or bracket connections needing stable preload

FAQs about Conical Washers

This FAQ covers how conical washers work, when to use them, how to size and install them in inch and metric, and how they compare to other spring and lock washer styles.

Its cone shape flexes under load like a spring, storing energy to maintain clamp force and help resist loosening from vibration or thermal changes.

Conical washers deliver higher load with short deflection. Wave washers deliver lower load with longer deflection for light, even pressure.

No. They help maintain preload but are not a chemical locking method. Use threadlocker or prevailing-torque nuts if the application requires it.

Install so the washer bears evenly under the nut or bolt head. Many assemblies use the smaller diameter toward the rotating part; follow drawings or specifications when provided.

Yes. Stacking in parallel increases load at the same deflection. Stacking in series increases deflection at similar load. Use approved patterns for predictable behavior.

Match the nominal size to the fastener (for example 1/4 in or M6), confirm inner diameter fit, and select outside diameter, thickness, and cone height to meet the target clamp load.

Spring steel or alloy steel for high strength, and 304 or 316 stainless where corrosion resistance is needed.

It helps maintain preload, which improves resistance to loosening, but severe vibration may still require additional locking methods.

They can be reused if not plastically deformed or damaged. Inspect for cracks, flattening, or corrosion before reassembly.

They influence preload versus torque, but you should follow the fastener or assembly specification. Avoid over-compressing the cone beyond its working range.