Steel Construction Washers

Steel Construction Washers

Nord-Lock Group About Nord-Lock Products Steel Construction Washers Technical Guide

Nord-Lock created the original wedge-locking technology that secures bolted joints, even when exposed to severe vibration and dynamic loads. It is impossible for our products to loosen unintentionally due to the wedge created underneath the bolt head and nut.

Joint Guide

Nord-Lock SC-washers can be used with HV / HR bolts and nuts.

Through-holes
Through-holes require the use of two pairs of Nord-Lock SC-washers. One pair for securing the bolt and a second pair for securing the nut. Turn both fasteners in order to close the cams on both washer pairs before tightening to minimize settlements. Keep the bolt secure whilst tightening the nut.

Designs where Nord-Lock SC-washers are not recommended:

  • With plain washers
  • When mating surfaces are not locked in place
  • When mating surfaces are harder than the washers
  • With very soft mating surfaces — for example, wood and plastic
  • For applications with extremely large settlements
  • When there is no clamping force in the joint

Torque Guidelines

Note that the torque guidelines below only apply to HV bolts with NLSC washers.

Washer
size

 

Reduced preload force
F *
[kN]

Modified
torque method
Torque 
M
[Nm]

 

Modified combined
method [torque + angle]
Pre-torque
M *
[Nm]

Securing
effect
Minimum torque
M

[Nm]
NL12SC 45 130   100 80
NL16SC 90 330   250 200
NL20SC 145 660   490 360
NL22SC 170 850   640 520
NL24SC 200 1100   825 640
NL27SC 260 1600   1220 1000
NL30SC 315 2150   1650 1320
NL36SC 460 3750   2800 2240
   

*Tightening conditions are specified in ETA-13/0246 for HV bolts, grade 10.9.

Required angle of further rotation

Clamp length angle part tum
t < 2d 45° 1/8
2d ≤ t < 6d 60° 1/6
6d ≤ t ≤ 10d 90° 1/4
10d < t No recommendations
Tightening angles when using the combined method varies depending on the clamp length, (t), in relation to bolt diameter, (d).

More insights and references

Bolting Tips Durable Bolted Joints in Steel Construction Nord-Lock's steel construction experts share vital experience and knowledge to achieve durable bolted joints for steel structures. Read more
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Customer Cases Providing safety in huge steel constructions When durability and safety are absolutely critical in a construction project, small things like washers can have a huge impact. Read more
Customer Cases Nord-Lock Group keeps the railway industry on track Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers are used in all safety-related areas of the railway industry, such as bogies, coupling devices, brake systems, rail dampers. Read more
Customer Cases Securing bridges over cooling water The Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands) receives every year the visit of around 35,000 seagoing vessels and 130,000 inland vessels. This makes the Port of Rotterdam the largest port in Europe and third... Read more
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Customer Cases Good vibrations The huge machines made by Metso Minerals France are a mechanical nightmare. Whereas vibrations are usually eliminated from machines, the very raison d’être of the Metso machines is to vibrate as mu... Read more
Customer Cases Built for Speed The latest version of Japan Railway’s famous Shinkansen, known around the world as the Bullet Train, reaches speeds of 300 kilometres per hour. Read more

Nord-Lock product range

Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers prevent bolt loosening Nord-Lock Nord-Lock Washers Wedge-locking security for bolted joints subjected to extreme vibration and dynamic loads. Read more
Nord-Lock X-series washer combines wedge-locking with an exceptional spring effect to secure against multiple bolt loosening factors Nord-Lock NORD-LOCK® X-SERIES WASHERS Maximum security for critical bolted joints exposed to spontaneous bolt loosening and slackening. Read more
Nord-Lock steel construction washers are designed for bolted connections in steel structures Nord-Lock NORD-LOCK STEEL® CONSTRUCTION WASHERS Optimal contact between bolts and washers used in steel construction applications, including HV and HR sets. Read more
Nord-Lock wheel nuts safely secure wheels on on-road and off-road heavy vehicles Nord-Lock NORD-LOCK® WHEEL NUTS High clamping force that eliminates wheel loosening on heavy vehicles operating under extreme conditions. Read more
Combi bolt washers from Nord-Lock are specifically designed to be captivated on a bolt, known as SEMS Nord-Lock Nord-Lock Combi Bolt Washers Additional layer of security for applications through permanent attachment to bolt (SEMS) Read more
Customized washers from Nord-Lock can include special materials, measurements, sizes, coatings or changes in geometry Nord-Lock Nord-Lock Customized Solutions Custom designed bolting solutions for your unique application requirements Read more

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