Material
The substance from which the washer is made, such as steel, stainless steel, brass, or plastic, which affects its performance and application.
Aluminum
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Aluminum fasteners are a light weight alternative to steel fasteners. Aluminum is soft, non-magnetic, and corrosion resistant. These fasteners offer good electrical and thermal conductivity, and a good strength-to-weight ratio.
Brass
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Brass is a soft, non-magnetic fastener material that offers corrosion resistance, heat and electrical conductivity, and cosmetic appeal. Brass fasteners may be found in electronics, plumbing, and marine applications.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steels are steels of varying carbon content without specified minimum percentages of other alloying elements. Higher carbon steels possess more strength than lower carbon steels but sacrifice ductility. Carbon steels are generally more susceptible to corrosion than stainless steels and may require a protective coating if used in a corrosive environment.
Copper
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Copper fasteners are electrically and thermally conductive, corrosion resistant, malleable, anti-microbial, and high in strength. These fasteners are commonly used in electrical applications.
Fiber
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Also known as Vulcanized Fibre this material, a laminated plastic composed solely of cellulose, is light and tough, yet stiff. Its high tear and tensile strength combined with its abrasion resistant surface makes a good material for commercial grade washers, insulation in the electrical industry, and in wood laminating.
Fiberglass
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Fiberglass fasteners are strong yet lightweight, non-conductive, non-magnetic, and highly resistant to corrosion. They are commonly used in marine applications for their ability to withstand salt water.
Monel
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This 2/3 nickel and 1/3 copper material is an alloy developed by the Special Metals Corporation. It has very good strength and is similar in strength to medium carbon steel, however, due to its strength it has poor machining properties. Its composition also provides it with excellent corrosion resistance in specific highly corrosive environments of sea water, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, alkalines. With the ability to retain its strength at very high and low temperatures it is one of the best materials to resist extreme elemental conditions. Applications include marine fasteners and chemical processing.
Natural Nylon
This lightweight thermoplastic material offers toughness, low coefficient of friction, and good abrasion resistance making it an ideal replacement for low strength metals and rubbers. Nylon also performs significantly better than copolymers in extreme temperature toughness, fatigue endurance, and elongation at yield. This material can be easily machined and worked using standard metal working equipment. It can also easily fabricated in a wide array of colors. Natural in this instance refers to the color of this particular substance which can be off-white to beige. This material is non-magnetic, non-corrosive, non-toxic, non-flammable and non-conductive. Cast or injection molded Nylon is used for mechanical parts like gears, machine screws, or low to medium stress fasteners previously cast in metal.
Nylon
Nylon is a lightweight, wear resistant, non-magnetic, non-conductive, corrosion resistant fastener material often used in electronics applications. Nylon fasteners are commonly made of nylon 6/6, which is generally able to withstand oils, greases, and solvents. Many nylons melt rather than burn and have the ability to self-extinguish. Nylon fasteners may swell from moisture absorption, degrade under UV exposure, or fail in high strength applications.
Phenolic
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Phenolic washers are lightweight and resistant to heat, electricity, moisture, and chemicals.
Plastic
Plastic fasteners are lightweight, resistant to corrosion, non-magnetic, and electrically insulating.
PTFE
Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) washers are characterized by a very low coefficient of friction. This material is chemically inert and resists heat and electricity.
PVC
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PVC is a lightweight and non-magnetic fastener material, resistant to alcohols, acids, and alkalis. PVC fasteners have flame retarding properties and a good strength to weight ratio. PVC fasteners may be a good choice in salt-water environments and do not absorb moisture like nylon. Like other plastic fasteners, PVC fasteners have a limited operating temperature and are commonly used in electronics applications due to their electrical non-conductivity.
Silicon Bronze
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Silicone bronze is a high strength fastener material popular in naval and marine environments, and sewage disposal applications. Silicon bronze is known for its high thermal conductivity, non-magnetic properties, and high resistance to corrosion, even in harsh environments such as those where brines or gases are present.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is steel combined with alloying elements, principally chromium, to enhance corrosion resistance and impart other desired properties depending upon the alloying elements in use and their proportions. Many stainless steel fasteners are non-magnetic or less magnetic than regular steel fasteners.
Steel
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Steel is the most common fastener material due to its strength properties. Unalloyed steel may be surface treated to enhance corrosion resistance and
Titanium
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Titanium fasteners are strong yet lightweight, highly corrosion resistance, and able to withstand high temperatures. Titanium fasteners are found in marine, aerospace, and chemical processing applications.
