Is Nylon Insert Nut the Best Bolt Locking Method?

How do Nord-Lock washers compare with nylon insert nuts? This guide lists key parameters to help you make the right choice.

	Nylon Insert Nut	Nord-Lock Wedge-Locking
Locking capability	Not reliable. Variable efficiency of the product depending on quality of the nylon insert, on the manufacturer, and on temperature.	Reliable. High and constant quality of the product.
Product range	M3-M48	M3-M130 (standard range)
Temperature	Efficiency decreases as temperature increases. The usual operating range set by ISO 2320 is limited to [-50°C; +120°C].	Same operating range as regular bolts and nuts, locking function not affected by temperature changes.
Assembly/disassembly	Time-consuming operations for installation and dismantling, thereby increases maintenance time.	Swift and easy to assemble/disassemble, even in confined spaces.
Clamp load deviation when tightening	Larger deviation in clamp load due to friction-based locking. Lubrication not recommended.	Possible to predict the clamp load. It can be lubricated, and thereby even further minimize clamp load deviation and torsion stress.
Reusability	Not recommended for reuse.	Reusable. It does not affect reusability of bolts/nuts.
Recyclability	Consists of nylon and steel.	Recyclable. Meets ELV and RoHS directives.
Life cycle cost	Variable – from low to very high – depending on application. Involves high mounting costs due to time-consuming installation.	Low. Relatively high price per unit. However long life cycle, reusable, improves productivity and minimizes maintenance cost.

Which bolt locking product should I use?

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What you will find in the eBook:

Pros and cons of the different bolt locking methods
Evaluation of different products
A print-friendly Guidance for Selection, to help you decide which product to use in your applications