Curved Spring Washer

Curved spring washers give your assembly the quiet, consistent preload it needs without over-torquing fasteners or chasing re-tightens. Designed to maintain tension through vibration, thermal cycling, and tolerance stack-ups, our curved spring washers help stop loosening before it starts. If you want cleaner builds, fewer callbacks, and longer service life, our washers are a small upgrade that makes a big difference.

Why Choose Our Curved Spring Washers

Our profile is engineered to act like a mini spring, storing energy as the joint is tightened so clamping force stays consistent over time. That curvature cushions your stack, smooths out tolerance variations, and helps preserve preload when parts settle, gaskets relax, or equipment sees start-stop duty. The result is a joint that stays stable through cycles, not just at installation.

Our curved spring washers deliver a controlled, elastic force that compensates for axial play while protecting threads and components from shock. They are ideal anywhere you need just enough give to keep a joint tight without crushing delicate parts or over-compressing seals. 

If you’re optimizing a full bill of materials, you can round out the job with our Flat Washers for added bearing surface, Fender Washers when you need extra diameter for thin panels, or a Shim Washer to fine-tune spacing with precision.

How They Work in Your Assembly

When you tighten the fastener, the washer’s arc compresses and applies a light, predictable force that presses components together. Instead of relying only on torque—where friction can mislead—our curved design adds an elastic element that keeps contact pressure present even if the stack height changes slightly. This helps prevent micro-movement, the number-one culprit behind loosening and buzz.

DIN 137A Curved Spring Washers

Our DIN 137A curved spring washers feature a thin, gently arched form that supplies light spring action for maintaining tension and taking up axial play. They shine in applications such as instrument panels, control boxes, housings, and light mechanical assemblies where protecting threads and preserving preload matters as much as reducing weight and space. Choose them when you need reliable, repeatable tension without the harsher clamp of heavy spring elements.

Selecting the Right Size

Match the inner diameter to your bolt or screw so the washer seats properly under the head or nut without excessive slop. Consider the outside diameter and available bearing surface to ensure the load is distributed the way your design intends. If your joint requires a broader footprint on softer materials, pair the curved spring washer with one of our Flat Washers or step up to a Fender Washer to protect the substrate while retaining the benefit of spring action.

Installation Tips for Best Results

Place the curved spring washer directly under the rotating element—typically the nut or screw head—so it can respond to any relaxation where it matters most. Tighten to your specified torque, remembering that the washer is there to maintain force, not to make up for under-torque. Avoid stacking multiple spring elements in the same joint unless your design specifically validates the combined deflection and load.

FAQs

What is a curved spring washer used for?

A curved spring washer is used to maintain a light, elastic preload in a bolted joint, compensating for axial play and small changes in stack height. It helps preserve clamping force through vibration, thermal expansion, and settling, which reduces loosening and noise while improving long-term stability.

How does a curved spring washer differ from a flat washer?

A flat washer mainly spreads load and protects surfaces, but it doesn’t actively maintain force once the joint is tightened. A curved spring washer, by contrast, stores elastic energy thanks to its arched profile, delivering controlled spring action that sustains clamping pressure even as the assembly experiences movement or relaxation.

When should a curved spring washer be used instead of other washer types?

Choose a curved spring washer when you need gentle, consistent preload rather than heavy spring force. It’s ideal for light mechanical assemblies, panels, electronics, and gasketed joints where too much clamp could damage parts, but too little clamp causes buzz or loosening. If you require a larger bearing surface, you can pair it with a Flat Washer or use a Fender Washer while keeping the curved spring element in the stack.

What materials are commonly used to manufacture curved spring washers?

Curved spring washers are commonly produced from spring-capable steels and corrosion-resistant alloys selected to deliver reliable elastic performance and durability in the intended environment. The exact material is chosen to balance spring characteristics with the application’s operating conditions and longevity requirements.