Wave Washers Explained: Uses, Size Chart, Manufacturers and Buying Guide

Wave washers are an important component widely used in the machinery manufacturing industry. They are metal washers with elastic structures and are mainly used for connector pre-tightening, vibration reduction and space-constrained occasions. Compared with other spring washers, wave washers can provide stable and controllable elastic force in a limited axial space, and are also indispensable components in the fields of electronics, electrical, automotive, precision engineering, etc.

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What is a wave washer?

Wave washer is a thin metal washer with a wavy shape, which provides axial load through its elastic structure. It belongs to the family of elastic washers and is often used to prevent bolts from loosening or to provide pre-tightening force for bearings.

Core features:

The wave design can achieve compression and generate elastic restoring force;

The materials are mostly carbon steel, stainless steel, copper alloy or high-temperature alloy;

It is suitable for high-frequency use in small spaces, especially under conditions of thermal expansion and contraction and frequent vibration.

Uses of wave washers

Wave Washer Dimensions

Common size range: OD 6mm–60mm, thickness 0.2mm–1.5mm, customizable for special applications.

Wave washer load calculation formula (simplified)

The relationship between the axial force and compression of the wave washer can be estimated approximately using the following method:

F=k*Δx

Where: F is the axial load (N);

k is the equivalent stiffness coefficient (N/mm), which is determined by the number of waves, material, and thickness;

Δx is the compression (mm).

Example:

If the stiffness of a wave washer is 70 N/mm and the compression is 0.6mm, its load is:

F=70×0.6=42N

Line chart of wave washer load change

The following is a diagram of the load change of the wave washer under different compression amounts:

The line chart is as follows:

The figure above shows the axial load variation trend of the wave washer under different compression amounts:

The curve shows an upward trend, indicating that the more compression, the greater the axial load;

It increases faster between 0.4 mm and 1.0 mm, indicating that this compression range is the main elastic working area;

It can be used to determine the safe compression range of the preload design to avoid overpressure or insufficient load.

The difference between wave washers and spring washers

Advantages and disadvantages of wave washers vs spring washers

Comparison of application scope

Wave Washer Manufacturer Recommendations

Conclusion

Wave washers are widely used in many high-end industries due to their flexible structure, excellent vibration resistance and good preload control ability. This article analyzes and introduces wave washers from multiple dimensions, such as their uses, loads, manufacturers, and size tables. If you still don’t know how to choose, you can read this article. When purchasing, you can give priority to experienced manufacturers to ensure the stability and life of the product.