Flat Flat Washers

Small Flat Washers

Small Flat Washers is a thin plate (usually disk-shaped) with a hole that is most commonly used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener, such as a screw or nut. Washers are most typically made of brass, nylon, steel, stainless steel, thermoplastic, or rubber, and come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. Structural flat washers are designed to be used with A325 and A490 structural bolts in heavy-duty industrial applications, whereas lockwashers are used to prevent screws or bolts from turning and coming loose due to vibrations. If you are working with wood applications, consider a round malleable washer, ogee washer, round plate washer, or shear plate washer.


Washers are usually metal or plastic. High-quality bolted joints require hardened steel washers to prevent the loss of pre-load due to brinelling after the torque is applied. Washers are also important for preventing galvanic corrosion, particularly by insulating steel screws from aluminium surfaces. They may also be used in rotating applications, as a bearing. A thrust washer is used when a rolling element bearing is not needed either from a cost-performance perspective or due to space restraints. Coatings can be used in attempt to reduce wear and friction either by hardening their surface, or providing a solid lubricant (i.e. a self-lubricating surface).


Plain washers are primarily manufactured to standard specifications in various sizes, materials and shapes. Flat washers are thin, flat and circular general-purpose washers with a centrally located hole. Internal and external forms usually are round but can be square, hexagonal or rectangular. The hole or outer diameter can be non-symmetrical depending on the function of the washer. Flat washer sizes are designated by the shank diameter of the fastener in which they form part of the assembly.