How Your Fastener Distributor Helps You to Choose the Ideal Lock Nut

Lock nuts provide greater efficiency for many applications and allow manufacturers and designers to attain a reliable fit without the use of lock washers. Your fastener distributor understands the two different styles of lock nuts and can help you to choose the ideal design for your project.

Types of Lock Nuts

Depending on the application, you need to choose between the basic types of lock nut:

• Prevailing Torque Lock Nuts – these nuts have a characteristic or design feature that creates friction in the threads to resist loosening.
• Surface-Bearing Lock Nuts – these are designed as free-spinning nuts, and tighten once exposed to a bearing surface.

Common types of prevailing torque styles include the two-way reversible lock nut, flex-type and nylon insert lock nut. Your fastener distributor agrees that the all metal types work best in high temperature applications or those that include chemical exposure. If you application demands fasteners that can be re-used, a nylon insert lock nut may be your best choice.

Common types of surface-bearing lock nuts include a serrated flange nut and a kep nut. Corrosion can become a problem with the serrated flange style, although this type works well for oversized and irregularly shaped holes.

What to Consider

A fastener distributor considers various aspects of your application when advising the ideal choice. Conditions such as temperature and chemical exposure make a major difference, but smaller details must be considered as well.
Will you need to re-use or adjust the nut on a regular basis? A nylon insert lock nut may be the best option. Hole size and shape may also dictate the ideal choice, especially if that hole is irregular or larger than average.
Speak to your fastener distributor about the details of your project. Certain aspects make certain styles of lock nuts a wiser choice. In all applications, the best design and quality manufacturing allow for a durable, valuable choice.