Self-locking (self-locking) joints refer to progressive fasteners. A plastic ring on the inside protects the connection against self-loosening.
Locking threaded connection is one of the main problems in the design of products subjected to dynamic, alternating, cyclic loads. Parts of conveyors, joints of articulated rods, cardan shafts, steering elements and similar parts of machines and mechanisms require increased strength and reliability of the connection. Often, such fasteners affect the safety of the product. At the current time, there are many ways to prevent self-unscrewing of a threaded connection. Splinting, ovalizing the nut, riveting the thread on the bolt, adjusting the spring and toothed washers. But the most progressive methods today include the use of chemicals and plastic retaining rings. One of these is self-locking ( self-locking nuts ).
Self-locking nut design and features
By design, such hardware is somewhat reminiscent of conventional hex nuts. In the upper part of the self-locking fastener there is a special groove into which a special plastic ring is mounted at the factory. Subsequently, the ring is rolled up and is one piece with the self-locking nut. Rings can be made from nylon, polyamide or other high indentation plastics.
The plastic ring is a key element in protecting the threaded joint from loosening. When screwed together with the nut, it tightly fits the external thread of a bolt, stud, screw, creates additional frictional force and prevents the fastener from loosening.
The self-locking nut is very convenient to use. Unlike splitting, locking with a nut or wire, in which a number of additional operations are required after tightening the connection, the use of such hardware is no different from the installation of a conventional hex nut. Turn it up and you're done.
Self-locking nuts are increasingly used in the automotive industry, mechanical engineering and instrument making. With the use of such fasteners, which is also important, the influence of the human factor when assembling products is significantly reduced. Often, even where castle nuts or grovers were originally installed, during service, they are replaced with self-locking fasteners.
So far, self-locking nuts are sold only in accordance with the German DIN 582 standard.
Self-locking nuts are a modern way of locking threaded connections. They are very easy to install and operate.
