Fastener product knowledge

Spring Washers, Split Lock Washers and Disc Springs

Spring washers from China are commonly sourced for bolted assemblies where elastic tension, locking action or load-deflection performance is required. Common types include split lock washers, single-coil spring washers, heavy-duty spring washers, wave washers, conical spring washers, disc springs (Belleville washers), and metric and inch series spring washers. Buyers should confirm washer type, applicable standard, metric or inch series, nominal bolt size, inside diameter, outside diameter, thickness or wire diameter, form, material, hardness or elastic requirement, surface finish, matching bolt and nut standard, and application before quotation. Standard references may include DIN 127, DIN 128, DIN 137, DIN 2093, ASME B18.21.1 and project-specific drawings. We support sourcing communication for spring washers, mixed SKU fastener orders, washer specification review, and Hebei / Yongnian fastener cluster sourcing. Prices, MOQ, delivery lead time, packing details, and inspection documents are confirmed after manual RFQ review. Product images are representative only; final specifications should be confirmed by buyer drawings, standards, samples, or purchase lists.

Spring Washer Category Reference

Spring washers, split lock washers and disc springs are used across general industrial, construction, machinery and maintenance applications. Product images are representative category references only. Final specifications should be confirmed by buyer drawings, standards, samples, or purchase lists.

Split spring lock washers and related spring washer types in multiple sizes and finishes

Product images are representative category references only. Final specifications should be confirmed by buyer drawings, standards, samples, or purchase lists.

Direct Answer for Buyers

Buyers cannot specify only "spring washer", "lock washer", a single inside and outside diameter, or a product photo, because the following products may be different:

Split lock washers
Single-coil spring washers
Heavy-duty spring washers
Wave washers
Conical spring washers
Disc springs / Belleville washers
Serrated washers
Tooth lock washers
Custom spring washers made to drawing

To prepare a spring washer RFQ, buyers should confirm at least:

Washer type
Applicable standard or drawing
Metric or inch series
Nominal bolt size
Inside diameter
Outside diameter
Thickness or wire diameter
Form (split, wave, conical, disc, single-coil)
Material
Hardness or elastic requirement
Surface finish
Matching bolt and nut standard
Application
Quantity by SKU
Packing
Inspection documents
Destination

Prices, MOQ, packing, documentation, and lead time are confirmed after manual RFQ review.

Final specifications should be confirmed according to the buyer's drawing, BOM, applicable standard, sample, application conditions, or RFQ requirements.

Products with different forms, inside diameters, outside diameters, thicknesses, wire diameters, materials, hardness requirements or finishes should be listed as separate SKUs.

Spring washer performance cannot be determined from a product photo alone. Product images are representative category references only. Final specifications should be confirmed by buyer drawings, standards, samples, or purchase lists.

Spring Washer Types and Applications

Use this table as a starting point for RFQ preparation. Different spring washer types use different elastic principles and are not interchangeable solely because they all provide some form of elastic tension or locking action.

Washer Type	Elastic Principle	Typical Application	RFQ Detail to Confirm
Split lock washers	Helical split ring creates tension when compressed	General bolt and nut assemblies where a locking action is specified	Standard, bolt size, inside diameter, outside diameter, wire diameter, material, hardness, finish
Single-coil spring washers	Single-coil spring form provides elastic tension	Applications where single-coil spring form is specified by the buyer	Standard, form, dimensions, wire diameter, material, hardness, finish
Heavy-duty spring washers	Thicker wire or heavier form provides increased elastic force	Applications requiring higher elastic force per buyer specification	Standard, wire diameter, form, material, hardness, application
Wave washers	Wave-shaped form provides elastic deflection	Applications requiring controlled deflection or preload	Standard, wave form, dimensions, material, hardness, deflection requirement
Conical spring washers	Conical form provides elastic deflection under axial load	Applications where conical form is specified by the buyer	Standard, conical form, dimensions, material, hardness, load-deflection requirement
Disc springs / Belleville washers	Conical disc designed for specific load-deflection characteristics per applicable standard	Applications requiring specific load-deflection performance	Standard, dimensions, material, hardness, load-deflection curve, application
Serrated washers	Serrations on bearing surface mechanically engage mating surface	Applications where serrations are permitted on the mating surface	Serration direction, mating surface condition, material, finish, application
Tooth lock washers	Multiple teeth bite into mating surface to resist loosening	Applications where tooth locking is specified by the buyer	Tooth form, dimensions, material, hardness, finish, mating surface condition
Custom spring washers made to drawing	Per buyer drawing or project specification	Non-standard spring washer design or special performance requirement	Drawing, BOM, material, form, dimensions, finish, inspection requirements

Important: The same nominal bolt size may correspond to different spring washer types and dimensions. Split lock washers, wave washers, conical spring washers, disc springs, serrated washers, tooth lock washers and plain flat washers use different elastic or locking principles. They are not interchangeable solely because they all have some elastic or anti-loosening function. Product images are for identification reference only.

Common Standards Reference

These standards are commonly referenced in buyer RFQs and sourcing documents. They are not final compliance statements. Standard versions, full scope and exact requirements should be confirmed during manual RFQ review.

Standard	Common Product Scope	Typical RFQ Use	Important Limitation
DIN 127	Split lock washers — commonly referenced in buyer RFQs	Subject to confirmation during manual RFQ review — confirm form, bolt size, dimensions, material and finish	Buyers should confirm the applicable version, form and dimensions. Legacy DIN and current ISO references are not automatically identical in all details.
DIN 128	Spring lock washers — commonly referenced in buyer RFQs	Subject to confirmation during manual RFQ review — confirm form, dimensions, material and application	Buyers should confirm the specific form (single-coil or other) and applicable version.
DIN 137	Wave spring washers — commonly referenced in buyer RFQs	Subject to confirmation during manual RFQ review — confirm wave form, dimensions and material	Wave washers are not automatically interchangeable with split lock washers or disc springs.
DIN 2093	Disc springs (Belleville washers) — commonly referenced in buyer RFQs	Subject to confirmation during manual RFQ review — confirm dimensions, material, load-deflection requirements and application	Disc springs have specific load-deflection design logic. Must not be treated as standard split lock washers. Buyers should confirm the applicable version and performance requirements.
ASME B18.21.1	Inch-series lock washers — commonly referenced in buyer RFQs	Subject to confirmation during manual RFQ review — confirm type, dimensions, material and application	Applies to inch series. ASME and DIN references are not automatically identical in all requirements.
Buyer drawing or project specification	Non-standard form, dimensions, material, hardness or special performance	Subject to confirmation during manual RFQ review — per buyer drawing, BOM or project specification	All non-standard dimensions and requirements must be confirmed against the buyer's drawing or specification.

Important: Spring washer standards are not interchangeable solely because the nominal bolt size appears similar. Washer type, form, inside diameter, outside diameter, thickness, wire diameter, hardness, material, finish and application must be confirmed.

Dimensions and Form Considerations

Spring washer dimensions and form affect elastic performance, load-deflection characteristics and assembly fit. The following parameters should be reviewed together with the applicable standard and buyer requirements.

Nominal bolt size
Inside diameter
Outside diameter
Thickness or wire diameter
Form (split, wave, conical, disc, single-coil)
Free height
Compressed height
Deflection range
Flatness where applicable
Concentricity
Dimensional tolerance
Thickness or wire diameter tolerance
Surface condition
Stamping marks
Edge and burr condition
Custom dimensions
Drawing-controlled products

Key considerations:

The nominal bolt size does not equal the washer's actual inside diameter.
The same inside diameter may correspond to different forms, outside diameters and thicknesses.
Split lock washers, wave washers and disc springs have different form characteristics and cannot be confirmed by name alone.
Wire diameter affects elastic force and must be confirmed per the applicable standard or drawing.
Where precise load-deflection performance is required, a complete drawing or performance specification should be provided.
Spring washer dimensions must not be confirmed from weight or a product photo alone.

Materials, Hardness and Elastic Considerations

Material and hardness selection depends on the elastic requirement, bolt grade, nut grade, bearing surface, application and service conditions. The following materials are commonly referenced in buyer RFQs.

Material	Common Application	RFQ Detail to Confirm
Spring steel	General-purpose spring washers requiring elastic performance	Standard, hardness, dimensions, form, application
Stainless steel A2 / 304	General corrosion-resistant spring washer applications	Standard, dimensions, form, hardness, application environment
Stainless steel A4 / 316	Applications with higher corrosion resistance requirements	Standard, dimensions, form, hardness, application environment
Alloy spring steel	Applications requiring higher elastic performance or specific mechanical properties	Standard, material grade, hardness, dimensions, form, application
Buyer-specified special material	Non-standard material per drawing, BOM or project file	Drawing, BOM, material specification, dimensions, form, finish

Important: Material and hardness should be reviewed together with bolt grade, nut grade, bearing surface and application. Spring washer elastic performance depends on material, hardness, form, compression and assembly conditions. No fixed load value, deflection value, elastic force, hardness value, fatigue life or anti-loosening performance should be assumed without project-specific confirmation. If hardness or elastic testing is required, it must be specified at the RFQ stage. Website content cannot substitute for the buyer's engineering verification and assembly testing.

Surface Finish Directions

Surface finish affects corrosion resistance, assembly friction and elastic performance. The following finishes are commonly referenced in buyer RFQs.

Surface Finish	Common Use	RFQ Detail to Confirm
Plain / oiled	General-purpose spring steel washers	Oil type, surface condition, application
Black oxide	General indoor applications	Surface appearance, application environment
Zinc plated	Corrosion-resistant applications	Colour, thickness, corrosion resistance requirement
Yellow zinc plated	Corrosion-resistant applications with yellow appearance	Thickness, colour, corrosion resistance requirement
Phosphate and oil	General-purpose spring steel washers	Phosphate type, oil type, surface condition
Stainless steel / passivated	Corrosion-resistant applications	Material grade, passivation requirement, surface condition
Buyer-specified coating	Non-standard coating per drawing or project specification	Coating specification, thickness, performance requirement

Important: Black oxide is not a high-corrosion-resistance outdoor finish. Zinc plated finish requires confirmation of colour, thickness and corrosion resistance requirements. Stainless steel material and passivation requirements should be confirmed separately. Washer finish should be reviewed together with the mating bolt, nut, bearing surface and service environment. No fixed salt spray hours, outdoor life, friction coefficient or coating brand should be assumed without project-specific confirmation. Coating may affect elastic performance and must be reviewed together with the application requirements.

Bolt, Nut and Assembly Considerations

Spring washer performance depends on the complete assembly. The following factors should be reviewed together with the applicable standard and buyer requirements.

Matching bolt standard
Bolt diameter
Bolt grade or property class
Nut standard and grade
Washer inside diameter
Washer outside diameter
Washer thickness or wire diameter
Washer form
Washer hardness
Coating compatibility
Bearing surface condition
Washer placement
Multiple washer use
Assembly torque requirement
Surface damage restrictions
Assembly traceability

Key considerations:

Spring washers cannot be confirmed independently of the mating bolt and nut. The complete assembly must be reviewed.
Spring washer anti-loosening performance depends on product form, material, hardness, compression, mating fastener and actual assembly conditions.
Split lock washers cannot automatically replace other locking methods in engineering design.
Disc springs and Belleville washers have different load and deflection design logic and must not be treated as standard split lock washers.
Coating and surface roughness may affect assembly fit, friction and elastic performance.
Multiple washers should not be used to compensate for an incorrect bolt length unless the buyer's design explicitly allows it.
Structural connections must follow the project standard and engineering documentation.

Spring Washers RFQ Checklist

Use this checklist to prepare a complete spring washer RFQ. Incomplete specifications may lead to incorrect quotation or production delays.

Washer type
Applicable standard
Drawing number
Metric or inch series
Nominal bolt size
Inside diameter
Outside diameter
Thickness or wire diameter
Form (split, wave, conical, disc, single-coil)
Free height
Deflection requirement
Material
Hardness requirement
Elastic or load test requirement
Surface finish
Coating requirement
Matching bolt standard
Matching bolt grade
Matching nut standard and grade
Application
Quantity by SKU
Packing quantity
Bag or box requirement
Carton weight
Pallet requirement
Label requirement
Batch traceability
Inspection documents
Destination country or port
Drawing, BOM, sample or project specification

Common Procurement Mistakes

The following mistakes are commonly encountered in spring washer procurement. Reviewing them before submitting an RFQ can reduce specification errors and quotation delays.

Calling every elastic washer a "spring washer" without confirming the type, form or standard.
Quoting only the nominal bolt size without confirming the actual inside diameter.
Assuming the nominal bolt size equals the washer's actual inside diameter.
Forgetting to specify the outside diameter.
Forgetting to specify the thickness or wire diameter.
Treating split lock washers and wave washers as interchangeable.
Treating conical spring washers and disc springs as standard split lock washers.
Treating serrated washers and tooth lock washers as interchangeable with split lock washers.
Using a plain flat washer where a spring washer is required, or vice versa.
Assuming DIN and ASME references are automatically identical.
Assuming spring washers guarantee vibration resistance in all applications.
Identifying washer hardness or elastic performance only by colour or appearance.
Selecting a coating without checking compatibility with mating fasteners.
Assuming black oxide provides high outdoor corrosion resistance.
Ignoring deflection or free height requirements.
Using multiple spring washers to compensate for an incorrect bolt length without design approval.
Mixing different forms or dimensions in one unclear RFQ line.
Approving production only from a representative image.
Requesting hardness or elastic tests only after production.
Failing to define export packing and label requirements.

Product-Level FAQ

What is the difference between a split lock washer and a spring washer?

A split lock washer is a specific type of spring washer with a helical split ring that creates a locking action when compressed. The term spring washer is broader and may include wave washers, conical spring washers, single-coil spring washers and disc springs. Buyers should confirm the specific washer type, standard and dimensions.

What information should buyers provide for a spring washer RFQ?

Buyers should provide washer type, applicable standard or drawing, metric or inch series, nominal bolt size, inside diameter, outside diameter, thickness or wire diameter, form, material, hardness or elastic requirement, surface finish, matching bolt and nut standard, application, quantity by SKU, packing, inspection documents and destination.

Can a split lock washer be substituted with a wave washer?

No. A split lock washer and a wave washer use different elastic principles and have different load-deflection characteristics. They are not automatically interchangeable. Buyers should confirm the washer type per the applicable standard or project specification.

What is the difference between a conical spring washer and a disc spring / Belleville washer?

A conical spring washer is a conically shaped elastic washer. A disc spring or Belleville washer is also conically shaped but is designed for specific load-deflection characteristics per applicable standards. They may appear similar but have different design logic, dimensional requirements and performance characteristics. Buyers should confirm the specific product type, standard and application requirements.

Can a disc spring be treated as a standard split lock washer?

No. Disc springs and Belleville washers have a different load and deflection design logic from split lock washers. They are not interchangeable. Disc springs are designed for specific load-deflection performance and must be confirmed per the applicable standard and application requirements.

Are DIN 127 and ASME B18.21.1 spring washers automatically identical?

No. DIN 127 and ASME B18.21.1 are different standards from different standardisation systems. They may have differences in dimensions, material requirements and testing methods. Buyers should confirm the applicable standard, version and requirements for their specific product.

What is the difference between a serrated washer and a split lock washer?

A serrated washer has serrations or teeth on the bearing surface that mechanically engage the mating surface to resist loosening. A split lock washer uses a helical split ring that creates elastic tension when compressed. They use different locking principles and are not automatically interchangeable.

Can a tooth lock washer be substituted for a split lock washer?

No. A tooth lock washer uses multiple teeth that bite into the mating surface. A split lock washer uses a helical split ring. They use different locking principles and may not be interchangeable without reviewing the application requirements.

Can a plain flat washer be used instead of a spring washer?

No. A plain flat washer is a flat, non-elastic washer used for load distribution. A spring washer is designed to provide elastic tension or locking action. They serve different functions and are not interchangeable.

Does a spring washer guarantee vibration resistance?

No. Spring washer vibration resistance depends on the product form, material, hardness, compression, mating fastener, surface condition and actual assembly conditions. No spring washer type can be guaranteed to prevent loosening in all applications. Assembly testing and engineering verification are required.

What materials are commonly used for spring washers?

Common materials include spring steel, stainless steel A2 and A4, and other buyer-specified materials. Material selection depends on the application, elastic requirement, corrosion resistance and temperature. Buyers should confirm the specific material and hardness per the applicable standard or drawing.

Why must spring washer hardness be confirmed?

Hardness affects the elastic performance, load-deflection characteristics and locking behaviour of the spring washer. A washer with incorrect hardness may not provide the intended elastic tension or may fail under load. Hardness must be confirmed per the applicable standard and application requirements.

Can different spring washer types be included in one mixed order?

Yes. Mixed orders can be reviewed manually when washer type, standard, form, dimensions, material, hardness, finish, quantity, packing and inspection requirements are clear for each SKU.

What inspection documents can be discussed?

Depending on the item and buyer requirements, documents may include dimensional reports, material test certificates, hardness test reports, coating thickness reports, packing lists and pre-shipment photos.

What affects the lead time for a mixed spring washer order?

Lead time depends on material availability, washer type, standard, dimensions, hardness requirement, heat treatment if applicable, coating, quantity, packing requirements and inspection requirements. Final lead time is confirmed after RFQ review.

Can single-coil and heavy-duty spring washers be treated as interchangeable?

No. Single-coil spring washers and heavy-duty spring washers have different wire diameters, load characteristics and applications. They are not automatically interchangeable. Buyers should confirm the specific type, dimensions and application requirements.

Send Spring Washer RFQ for Manual Review

To request a quotation for spring washers, split lock washers, wave washers, conical spring washers, disc springs or custom spring washers made to drawing, prepare your RFQ using the checklist above and send it through our contact page. Prices, MOQ, packing, documentation, and lead time are confirmed after manual RFQ review. Final specifications should be confirmed according to the buyer's drawing, BOM, applicable standard, sample, application conditions, or RFQ requirements.

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